Wednesday Rockpile: Panic, Braves fans, Panic.
by Rox Girl on Feb 17, 2010 7:31 AM MST
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PrintAlright, I told biondino in yesterday's Rockpile that I'd have a post about Todd Helton, the Hall of Fame and what we should look for with the remainder of his career today, and I think I still will, it just won't be in the Rockpile. Instead, look for that later this afternoon.
Since I'm such a kind hearted soul and know some Braves fans must be fretting something awful fierce right now with the news that Jair Jurrjens is undergoing an MRI on a sore right shoulder, I thought I'd give them some words of encouragement and point out all the great seasons of MLB pitchers who had shoulder MRI's during the Spring the last couple of seasons:
Let's start by looking at the 2009 seasons of Boof Bonser, Damaso Marte, Edwar Ramirez and John Parrish...
err, scratch that.., don't look, it's not pretty. Not a good start so far...
How about those of Jeff Francis, Greg Smith and Eric Gagne? Remember where we were in late January with Francis last season? Uhm... Brandon Webb?
What about the 2008 season of Kelvim Escobar?
Eww, no, that's not quite what I had in mind, either. Seriously, if somebody can point to a pitcher whose shoulder pain was serious enough to get a MRI during or just before Spring Training but still wind up with an effective season the last few years, let me know, because I can't.
For Braves fans, the closest to anecdotal good news for you would be someone like the Angels Joe Saunders, who experienced shoulder "discomfort" and soreness in early Spring last season before going on to win 16 games. Saunders' discomfort, however, didn't seem strong enough to warrant the team asking him to get an MRI. So yeah, panic, Braves fans, panic.
One of the things that irked me toward the end of the 2009 season would be seemingly intelligent fans of the Braves ignoring the Rockies case for having the best rotation in the league. Part of why it was such a peeve was clearly my own homerism, but really not acknowledging the Rockies pitching at all in the conversation is foolish. And it's not like I've seen Rockies fans do the same thing. Despite FanGraphs' WAR and other park neutralizing stats showing us as ahead of Atlanta, the two teams were so close that I could see an argument (wrong as I may believe it is) for the Braves being slightly ahead, however, many Braves fans couldn't even acknowledge that there was another team even remotely close to them.
So yeah, schadenfreude. Anyway, fans expect Jurrjens to be a four win pitcher in 2010. There's a drop from him to either Kris Medlen or Jo-Jo Reyes and then potentially an additional drop from Medlen (who projected as the Braves best reliever) to whomever winds up replacing him in the bullpen. Conservatively, it looks to me like you'd be looking at around a two to two and a half win above replacement swing in aggregate were Jurrjens to be lost for the season. That's a huge deal for an NL contender, and good news for whoever will be winding up in second place to the Rockies in the NL West this season as far as the wild card race is concerned.
Okay.., okay.., let's acknowledge that there may be a chance that the Rockies are in second in the West again this year, and it could therefore potentially be good news for us as well.
At any rate, Jurrjens should also be a cautionary tale for all fans heading into Spring. Don't take a front office's word that certain procedures are just precautionary or that certain pains are nothing and what everybody goes through. An MRI sounds pretty tame, they're just looking, right? But my point here is that at this time of year it seems to be a pretty blatant warning flag given the history of players that have had it done in recent springs. If we get a similar report about a Rockies pitcher, I'd be worried.
More links after the jump:
Francis' recovery is still on target, as Troy Renck talks to him and others about his prep work in the Dominican the last couple of weeks.
Eric Young Jr's chances of making the team out of Spring Training are slim without an injury to somebody else on the roster, but the second baseman/utility player remains upbeat. Also noted is that Eric Gagne's tryout in front of Jim Tracy and Dan O'Dowd was "pedestrian", and the right hander remains a "longshot" to join the Rockies. I'm not sure if that's in reference to his joining the organization at all on a minor league contract or just him cracking the major league roster. The latter is obviously true as he'd probably fall behind Juan Rincon, Matt Reynolds, possibly Taylor Buchholz, Casey Weathers and others slated for AAA or extended Spring on the depth chart, so maybe the former is true as well.
BTW, correct my math if it's wrong here: The Dodgers pwned the Rockies at the beginning of last season. The Rockies have a left hand heavy lineup. For the beginning of 2010, the Dodgers have replaced Randy Wolf in the rotation vs Vicente Padilla. Randy Wolf is a left hander. Vicente Padilla has awful splits against left handed hitters... alright, you can probably see from here where I'm going with that.
Former Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis has an amusing quote in this MLB.com article:
"I don't know why we can't shoot for the stars," Marquis said. "Why do you want to limit yourself to 81 wins? Why do I want to limit myself to 15 wins? If I'm taking the ball 34 times, I should win 34 times. We are going to step on the field 162 times -- we should win 162 times."
You know, sometimes the optimism of Spring smells like flowers to me, sometimes it smells like something else entirely.
I think I've been successfully convincing at least one computer about how great the Rockies are. Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA based depth charts started out with the Rockies at 80-82 and in fourth place in the division when they initially came out about a month ago. Currently the team's at 88-74 and in first by four games. At this rate, we might be a 100 win team by the time the season starts.
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Oh RG, I love it when you talk smack about our rivals.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
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I have a soft spot in my heart for Jair Jurrjens
why can’t this happen to Derek Lowe?
Attention Whore.
It's not over yet
It’s always darkest before the dawn.
Or something like that
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 1:43 PM MST up reply actions
early reports suggest
there is no structural damage visible on the MRI. Still, you aren’t supposed to arrive at camp with a sore shoulder…
Attention Whore.
where have I heard that before?
Webb underwent an MRI Thursday that revealed no structural damage.
“I feel like we’re making progress on it, but we just need a little more time to make sure it’s totally good,” Webb said. “There’s no concern. The MRIs are all good. I mean, if there’s no structural damage, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“”http://blog.taragana.com/sports/2009/06/20/mri-shows-no-structural-damage-in-shoulder-of-mariners-lhp-erik-bedard-5227/" >MRI shows no structural damage in shoulder of Mariners LHP Erik Bedard"
Bedard could return to rotation by month’s end.
SEATTLE — Erik Bedard checked out fine in an MRI exam on his pitching shoulder and the Seattle Mariners expect the frequently injured left-hander back to their rotation in about two weeks.
It actually wasn’t too far off. It took him three weeks to return to the rotation, he pitched four more times and then was out for the season.
oh, sorry, here's one from 2008
Some good news, Reagins said, was that an MRI recently taken on (Kelvim) Escobar’s shoulder looked no different than the one taken in September so the team isn’t too concerned about any structural damage. However, there is some concern that one of their best pitchers will likely miss Opening Day.
“You’re always concerned because you want to go into the season with all your weapons,” Reagins said.
OK Braves fans
I think Rox Girl has made a strong enough case.
Time to hit it.
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 1:47 PM MST up reply actions
Oh and if it's any consolation
John Kruk still thinks you’re the favorite to win the Wild Card.
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 1:49 PM MST up reply actions
Nevermind
SiIver already pointed this out below
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 1:58 PM MST up reply actions
I wasn't trying to tick her off....
I was hoping for that classic WWE RG throwdown and she delivered in spades.
Attention Whore.
Link
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/02/17/jair-jurrjens-shoulder-is-just-fine/#cntnt
A free man counts tomorrow and yesterday and both of them are his; hunger and there's no master to feed you, but walk long steps and no master says go slowly.
by bleedspurple on Feb 17, 2010 11:26 AM MST up reply actions
yep, everything is just fine...
nothing to see here, folks, move along, keep buying your season tickets…
I’m often disappointed in the sporting press for not looking more closely into things or that they have such a short term memory.
All through 2008 Rockies fans were told that Francis’ issues were just “shoulder inflammation”, and let’s just look at a similar Fanhouse post from last year, while we’re at it.
Lol
What the heck is that drill? o_O
Caution: Colorado teams are better than they appear.
by ShadowPenguin on Feb 17, 2010 11:52 AM MST up reply actions
GROAN
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 1:16 PM MST up reply actions
I got in trouble at work..
For laughing too loud at this comment today.
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by Charlie77 on Feb 17, 2010 6:27 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
This looks like a great way for a freak injury to happen
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 1:50 PM MST up reply actions
Aren't there ropes hanging from the bottom of....
….hot air balloons?
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Feb 17, 2010 9:18 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Am I remembering wrong or didn't Padilla pitch decently against us last year?
I know he didn’t dominate or anything but I don’t remember him struggling. That said, I’m not exactly worried about facing him more this year.
he won both starts against us iirc
But that wouldn’t be as likely to continue. Still, randy wolf wasn’t our biggest problem with the dodgers last year. We still would have been about ten under against them
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 8:40 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Tom Verducci on pitchers at risk for
the Verducci effect. Over the last four years only four of the 34 at-risk pitchers he’s identified have avoided it: Lincecum, Kershaw, Jair Jurrjens and Ubaldo. He notes that Jair may not have actually avoided it considering the most recent news.
I wonder what the "The year after the Verducci effect year effect" looks like
"These are thin mints. I put them in the freezer. My favorites. So good."
--Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, on the girl scout cookies he keeps in his locker
we had better hope not
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 9:37 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
I meant for the pitchers who succumb to it.
Hopefully a certain pitcher who avoided it will have a shiny new trophy to look at.
I was reading the DP article on EYJ
And I’m not sure what possessed me but I scrolled down to look at the comments. Only to see someone bash the ownership/management for signing Melvin Mora when our most obvious need was pitching which we needed to spend lots of money on. Can we disown the DP posters as Rockies fans, I swear that they have no touch with reality.
by Chacinisthefuture on Feb 17, 2010 9:47 AM MST reply actions
i think most of us disowned them long ago
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 9:58 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
welcome into the fold, brother
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 9:58 AM MST up reply actions
EYjr tweets.
That he was working at field 2 yesterday. Ian Stewart responded that he would be there Friday.
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It's a monkey house over there
I especially love how every article about the weather, as harmless as “sunny today, possibly rain tomorrow”, devolves so quickly into a ridiculous global warming debate with strawman arguments and ad hominem attacks.
Caution: Colorado teams are better than they appear.
by ShadowPenguin on Feb 17, 2010 10:08 AM MST up reply actions
if you get any really good ones link us so we can laugh
and I’ll age another year or two with each stupid comment
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:20 AM MST up reply actions
I thought so with 9news, but it wore me out.
Stupidity is way more relentless than I am.
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightened inmate #2 on Feb 17, 2010 10:33 AM MST up reply actions
Newspaper
websites shouldn’t allow comments.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:24 AM MST up reply actions
Shouldn't you
have a picture of the bill of rights instead?
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:26 AM MST up reply actions
Um?
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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Splitting hairs, Russell. Splitting hairs.
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by Jeff Aberle on Feb 17, 2010 10:29 AM MST up reply actions
I like to do that.
Often.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:32 AM MST up reply actions
but Article One of the Constitution does not give Denver Post readers the right to comment!
Attention Whore.
Just like
no one should ever bring up a Constitutional right applying to this site.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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it’s not infringing on anyone’s right to free speech to not let them post on a privately owned newspaper’s website.
TV doesn’t do that. “And that’s what happened on Capitol Hill today. Does anyone have some crazy bats*** opinions they’d like to air?”
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightened inmate #2 on Feb 17, 2010 10:35 AM MST up reply actions
this
I stopped reading the local newspaper online after they started allowing comments on the stories…awful, hate filled speech…no matter what the topic is.
Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection. ~Red Smith
hifive for poor decisions
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:00 AM MST up reply actions
it's a thing from last season
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:03 AM MST up reply actions
so I googled "he who should not be named" to try and find a funny picture
came up with this
oh my
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:08 AM MST up reply actions
Where's Steve Bartman?
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
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that fire spread to their shoulders mere seconds after the photograph was taken
Attention Whore.
by Muzia on Feb 17, 2010 10:11 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:14 AM MST up reply actions
Dusty Baker manages the Reds is doing his part to fight the spread of Communism
Attention Whore.
by Muzia on Feb 17, 2010 10:20 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
But secretly
he’s a pinko Commie.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:23 AM MST up reply actions
you could not have found a better baker picture
Fact
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 10:24 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
glad I wasn't
the only one to spot this…
Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection. ~Red Smith
They were just being prescient.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
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you should make a bet with the Pit while youre at it
Something crazy, like Stewart will have more home runs than Reynolds or Francis will have more wins than Webb
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 10:02 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
MRI Clean
It appears Jurrjens shoulder is ok.
Would you trade one of the Rockies’ beat reporters for the zeal of David O’Brien?
Yeah, see my points above regarding Webb, Bedard and Escobar...
Just because an MRI reveals no structural damage does not mean they’re out of the woods. Francis’ January 2009 MRI before his surgery showed “no structural damage” as well. It’s going to remain an issue to me until he can show he’s loose after the middle of March (like Saunders last season).
for the sake of Jurrjens
I hope he’s alright and continues to have a productive career. I hate seeing young pitchers go down like that.
For the sake of the braves, here’s to Jurrjens having a Francis ’08
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
He has been a staple
of Team Pooh Holes the last two years, for my sake I hope he is fine.
Hating Cubs fans since 1908
Ah, I did read that
but I didn’t read the “Braves think…” as opposed to the “Braves said…”. Does sound similar to Francis.
Karma
Where I come from schadenfreude about other teams’ pitchers can come back and bite you in the you-know-where. Los Bravos aren’t anywhere near the level of the 2010 Rox even with Jair. That said, it does appear that JJ is heading in the direction of a Brandon Webb 2009, in which he started against the Rox on opening day, then was out for the year a few weeks later.
by Curt in Florida on Feb 17, 2010 10:34 AM MST reply actions
Well, if it helps the "you're jinxing us" crowd feel any better,
Last season I was also pretty vocal to visiting D-backs fans that Webb was in serious trouble. I honestly am somewhat expecting a fairly significant starting pitcher injury to happen with the Rockies at some point in 2010 (just like I am with every rotation). I just hope that we can put it off longer than most teams and when it does happen, it doesn’t happen to Ubaldo.
NOOOOOOOO!!!
You just jinxed Ubaldo, you should have said I hope it doesn’t happen to Tim Redding.
by Chacinisthefuture on Feb 17, 2010 10:52 AM MST up reply actions
It's not like we didn't have our share of pitching injuries last year
Francis and Smith were goners pretty much the whole year, that was 2 starters we were planning on being in the rotation, and Cook had some issues as well. We just had awesome replacements for them, just like Chacin, Rogers, Deduno, Morales, Friedrich, Redding, Smith, or another Dan O’Dowd pickup might be next year (Did I forget anybody?). I mean, a Jimenez injury is irreplaceable, but it’s not like we can’t replace any pitchers in our rotation should an injury happen. We just have an awesome arsenal of pitching and a good GM to fix holes.
This goes without saying: Wow, the Braves sure are idiots for trading Vazquez away, right?
Impossible not to have positive thoughts.
I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.
by bballrox4717 on Feb 17, 2010 2:52 PM MST up reply actions
Not only last year
but in 2007 as well. The pitching depth that the Rockies have waiting in the wings is really what should make us optimistic this year, should something happen.
Hating Cubs fans since 1908
I do wonder though
Several Rockies prospects ended their season on an iffy note, like Rogers, Chacin, even Friedrich slowed end at the end. I hope there isn’t anything wrong.
Another note, any idea on whose starting at Triple A and what the rotation might be, with Redding thrown in there, with Smith and Reynolds coming back? It seems crowded.
Impossible not to have positive thoughts.
I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.
by bballrox4717 on Feb 17, 2010 3:04 PM MST up reply actions
I think
that is pretty standard for most young players, that’s the time of year when they are pitching more than any time in their lives. It takes a few years for them to build that solid innings base so their bodies are used to it in order to pitch well that late in the season. Clearly there are exceptions to that on occasion, but generally I think that’s the case.
Jeff (Jabs) probably has a better idea that I do on the CS rotation but I would expect it to be Chacin/Rogers/Deduno/Reynolds/Smith. Smith may be out of options (not sure). If Redding accepts a minor league assignment he would probably want the opportunity to start – who knows though.
Hating Cubs fans since 1908
no way does redding land in the AAA pen
He has the clause to get out of his contract if he isn’t on the opening day roster. Landing on the AAA rotation would already be a sacrifice he is likely too proud to make.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 3:20 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
If our rotation is healthy through ST and we don’t need him I’m sure there will be places (Atlanta) we’re they’ll need another starter
by Chacinisthefuture on Feb 17, 2010 3:23 PM MST up reply actions
Nats could be a possibility too
Impossible not to have positive thoughts.
I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.
by bballrox4717 on Feb 17, 2010 3:45 PM MST up reply actions
That AAA rotation looks pretty close to me--Smith has two options left, so we're good there.
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First Baseman Fantasy Rankings
Roto Authority has Garrett Atkins as a better buy than Todd Helton
Attention Whore.
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 10:38 AM MST up reply actions
They're valued equally essentially
which in a standard 5×5 league doesn’t seem that far off. Now in the real world….
I disagree
Helton’s AVG and RBI’s should be much higher than Atkins’ in their current situation. SB and HR would be a wash. Also, Helton’s OBP should lead to him scoring more runs in the Rockies offense vs. the Orioles offense.
Attention Whore.
He's going to have better stats, I don't doubt that
but it’s marginal at best when you compare to the top 1Bs. I’d take him as a late, late round backup and that’s how he’s valued there.
if Helton is your starting Fantasy 1B you are in a world of hurt
but if you select Atkins as your backup over Helton, you are a complete idiot.
Attention Whore.
Absolutely, you couldn't pay me enough
to have Atkins anywhere on a fantasy roster, no matter how cheap.
Helton is a decent choice
in a league that values wOBA or Doubles
Belief that success is inevitable is as likely to hold you back as a belief that it is impossible.
I will grant that it's patently ridiculous
for Atkins to be ranked higher than Helton by any measure. Especially after last year.
Credibility: Down a notch.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
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by Jeff Aberle on Feb 17, 2010 10:41 AM MST up reply actions
Dierkes' stated rationale in the comments is interesting.
First, you would think he’d know better to completely disregard any RBI projection as these will always be a function of other players on the team and yet he uses it as a reason. Second, he really seems to overvalue what’s projected to be two or three additional HR’s for Atkins compared to fairly substantial advantages for Helton in the runs scored and AVG. categories. It really doesn’t make much sense. I think he just doesn’t really like the Rockies in general.
Here's what I don't get when it comes to fantasy
Rockies players aren’t penalized for played at Coors, like they are for OPS+ or WAR or MVP voting. So why wouldn’t you want lots of Rockies players on your team knowing that they’re going to get a stats boost playing at Coors?
by controlled_slide on Feb 17, 2010 10:47 AM MST up reply actions
Heh, last year
I managed to claw my way from last place to second, simply by picking up the overlooked Rockies. Tulo was available after his weak start, so I easily picked him up. Once I saw that Todd’s back was ok, I picked him up for a utility spot. Grabbed CarGo after the all-star break, when he started figuring out how to hit. I had Uball from the start because I knew he’d have an awesome season.
Was able to grab them all easily just because most people pay absolutely no attention to the Rox.
Caution: Colorado teams are better than they appear.
by ShadowPenguin on Feb 17, 2010 11:21 AM MST up reply actions
Sounds like my team.
Except that I dropped out of first at the end of the season after Cook and some others were slowed by injuries. And I never managed to get Tulo, but I had a bunch of other Rockies.
Hahaha wow
Almost reflects the Rockies season as well, last to 2nd!
I had Cookie too now that I think about it, although I had to bench him near the end cuz of his injuries :-/
Caution: Colorado teams are better than they appear.
by ShadowPenguin on Feb 17, 2010 11:42 AM MST up reply actions
Hey, just noticed the new tagline.
Are we missing a verb?
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightened inmate #2 on Feb 17, 2010 11:32 AM MST reply actions
What's my first language?
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
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Well played.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
How Rude!
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightened inmate #2 on Feb 17, 2010 11:52 AM MST up reply actions
Baseball start!
I think it works. Sounds like more of a command, since we all really really want it to start already!
Caution: Colorado teams are better than they appear.
by ShadowPenguin on Feb 17, 2010 11:40 AM MST up reply actions
Why should Braves fans panic?
THEY ARE THE FAVORITE FOR THE WILD CARD!
I can haz NL West title in 2010? And for that matter, the damn 2010 season to START?
brewcrewball has combined two of my favorite things from childhood:
Baseball, and mad libs. If you want to kill some time, go to www.brewcrewball.com and “write” your spring training preview for the rox
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 1:28 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Atlanta has to know they are going to be Hurtin for Certain this year!
Interesting how dynasties come and go. Used to be Atlanta every year in the east and now the Phillies run the show the same way the Rockies will rule this decade in the West.
There's a Cuban baseball article..
Which tries to debunk the lefty vs lefty matchup. For those of you that speak Communists.
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/eventos/49serie/n075.html
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"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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Gracias, mi amigo
my kids love to translate for me so what I cant quite figure out, they will help me fill in the holes….how accurate the translation is is still to be determined….
Teenagers love to see adults struggle with things they can do easily, thus I am never in a shortage of technology help, text acronym definition, or pop culture references…however common sense and motivation to follow through is definetly lacking (second semester seniors are tall freshman)
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
by El Paso Jeff on Feb 17, 2010 2:39 PM MST up reply actions
Good news everyone
I thought I had torn my MCL yesterday at work. But it seems like it is just a sprain. Woohoo.
that is good news!
glad to hear it was just a sprain!
Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection. ~Red Smith
excellent news!
side note, how about a Purple Row homebrew day? I have a large warehouse area with a yard in Englewood and a 3 burner set up. we could all get together, talk Rockies, brew beer, watch my hop vines come out of the ground and celebrate your non injury. I’m thinking a classic Altbier for the spring myself.
Count me in.
I’m just learning, but would love this.
Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
Look out Dodgers...Purple objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
nice!
I think it would be a blast. Where are you at as far as learning? You doing extract or jump straight to all grain? You can read John Palmer’s book online for free and of course the best way to learn would be to come brew if we can get it set up.
Just working with extract at this point
I’m also having someone come do a “show-and-tell party” with me on April 10th to celebrate the return of baseball…
Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
Look out Dodgers...Purple objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
if I was In D-town....I'm all for and if you guys do it, I will participate in thread
Am waiting to brew another batch of dutch pilsner I am working on tweeking…Mastered (loosely) the art of very hoppy ale’s to the point I am ready to mass produce that particular type…I will get a pils, a stout, IPA and porter recipe and then we open the brewery….
This is year 2 of my cousin and I’s 5 year plan to take over the monopoly of a brewery that shall not be named in El paso….My Brother -in-law is a restaurateur so I have the food side of things ready
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
by El Paso Jeff on Feb 17, 2010 2:52 PM MST up reply actions
wow that exciting
and sounds like you have a great head start. What are your batch sizes going to be when you start? and have you decide where you are going to get your equipment? I am looking into doing the same thing in a few years after I sell my current business.
God, thats fing amazing
I’m so in if I’m still here (probably will be). Hopefully we could do it in April in order to have it ready for the Row BBQ
sweet well I can imagine we're getting pretty annoying to the non brewers
so I’ll start an OT fanpost on homebrewing and we can get it all planned out.
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 3:05 PM MST reply actions
But do they know the way there?
/Bacharach’d
by Foxhole Atheist on Feb 17, 2010 3:27 PM MST up reply actions
There's been talk of that for a while now.
While I empathize with Oakland’s fans, the team really DOES have to get out of that stadium, and if Oakland isn’t going to help them do that…
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 17, 2010 3:59 PM MST up reply actions
I hate that stadium
I’m rooting for anything that gets them out of it. Besides, isn’t San Jose only like 50 minutes away from Oakland?
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 4:47 PM MST up reply actions
Yes.
But the Giants complain that San Jose is part of their territory. And they do have a minor league team there, so it sort of makes sense.
Another factor is the 49ers stadium issue, which is also looking at land near San Jose (actually Santa Clara, I think), but I’m not up on the latest, there.
Isn't San Jose about the same distance away from both at the south end of the Bay?
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:05 PM MST up reply actions
Now I really want the A's to move there :-)
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:07 PM MST up reply actions
I'm curious how that would go down.
Would a new stadium be enough to pull in A’s fans who might have to travel farther? There aren’t as many A’s fans as Giants fans as it is.
I think the new stadium would give it a big push at first
I don’t know where it would go after a couple of years though because I don’t know the area that well.
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:10 PM MST up reply actions
Another issue would be lack of public transit.
There’s no decent public transit between Oakland and San Jose (maybe buses, but no train or BART), at least not without crossing the bay to SF and then traveling down the Peninsula. And even then, how convenient it would be would depend on where the new park would be.
Is traffic too bad to drive?
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:14 PM MST up reply actions
In Boston you have to pay up to $40 for parking
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:26 PM MST up reply actions
It wouldn't be that much in San Jose
(SF runs about $20 and up depending on how close you park, San Jose would be a little less.)
But a lot of people around here, both Giants and A’s fans (though more Giants fans) take public transit to games. I think it would be a bad idea not to have a viable option. But maybe not a deal breaker from their perspective.
I always took the Ferry
but I lived in Marin> I hated Oakland’s stadium, but loved the prices and tailgating
Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8
"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I would toss one that ain’t never been seen by this generation."
The Giants are also pretty vocal about thinking they've got a good ballclub
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
i liked the "call them the San Hose A's" comment
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 17, 2010 4:30 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Is it too much to ask for MSN to not have a giant banner with Olympic results for events that haven't aired yet?
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightened inmate #2 on Feb 17, 2010 3:23 PM MST reply actions
So I shouldn't talk about the results of the Women's downhill then...
by Chacinisthefuture on Feb 17, 2010 3:24 PM MST up reply actions
Well you could talk to me, I couldn't help but see.
Other people might get annoyed.
"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson
by frightened inmate #2 on Feb 17, 2010 3:27 PM MST up reply actions
This is becoming really annoying
Not only do I have to avoid reading the ESPN crawl and listening to Sirius sports radio, but also almost the entire Internet. I think it is time for real-time Olympics coverage.
I believe in a risen Francis
this a million times
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
"With a guy like Melo, it’s tough to stop him with one person. You can’t. I don’t know one guy who can stop Melo on a consistent basis."-CP3
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
PS Let's win the NL West in 2010, shall we?
Yeah, but then I'd have to miss the entire thing while I'm at work or commuting.
And I’m not in favor of that. Not to mention NBC would lose even more money than they already are.
This is why I go on complete media lockdown.
I even normally listen to ESPN radio during the day, but I’ve decided to instead just listen to the archive from the previous day. That’s been working out really well. And I even avoid commercials that way.
BLS has Spring Training photos
from the AP feed. No olympic event spoilers but there are a couple rockies photos in it.
Can anyone name all of the Rockies in the other picture?
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 3:44 PM MST up reply actions
The one with Olivo? Or the one with Francis and Iannetta?
Either way, I’m pretty bad at this. I recognize McKenry in the Olivo pic (big thighs behind Olivo’s head) but I have a hard time recognizing everybody else. In the Francis/Iannetta pic, from left to right, Hammel?, Guy in shorts?, Francis, Lo Duca, Tulo?, Iannetta and pudgy bearded dude.
The Francis one
I only ask because I’m terrible at this also. I think you’e pretty close though. The only one I’m not sure about is Tulo because I think it’s just pitchers and catchers. Could it be Matt Belisile?
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 4:59 PM MST up reply actions
well, the picture that's already posted here pretty much proves it's not
“just pitchers and catchers” unless Helton switched positions on us in the offseason. And I’m pretty sure that’s Giambi behind him talking to Lo Duca (which probably has some sort of Mitchell Report joke tied into it somehow).
oops, nevermind.
I see that it’s Olivo now when I look at it more closely, but that’s definitely Todd.
You're right
I was thinking it was just pitchers and catchers based on the people we knew in the Francis picture and forgot about the picture with Todd.
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:13 PM MST up reply actions
You're better at this than you give yourself credit for
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 5:15 PM MST up reply actions
it's taking me a lot longer than I'd like. The guy in shorts with the skinny legs is still eluding me.
And I’m not entirely convinced that that is Tulo yet, either.
Joe Gorshe has to be one of the guys in the photo.
We need our annual “Spot Joe Gorshe” photo.
"Shall it be peace, or a sword?" - Excised line from Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
Tulo isn't going to arrive until Monday, so he can't be in any of those pics.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 17, 2010 9:31 PM MST up reply actions
Are you stalking him? :-)
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 9:45 PM MST up reply actions
Troy Renck = Robert DeNiro?
Or is he just a fan, and not The fan?
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Feb 17, 2010 10:17 PM MST up reply actions
I think the guy in shorts is Justin Speier
"I have discovered in twenty years of moving around a ball park, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats." - Bill Veeck.
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 18, 2010 8:57 PM MST up reply actions
WHO WEARS SHORT SHORTS
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 18, 2010 10:27 PM MST up reply actions
Here's a direct
link to the AP photos by the way. Only a few so far, but gotta love it.
Great one of Todd. Who’s rocking the long socks in that one?
Apollo Ohno doesn't play baseball
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 17, 2010 6:19 PM MST up reply actions
It's easier to tell it's him in the other picture with Iannetta and Francis,
and the high black socks and the back of his head are the same here.
I like this one of Jeff Francis
Not only because it looks cool, but also because it’s Jeff Francis. Jeff Francis! Baseball! Hooray!
by controlled_slide on Feb 17, 2010 4:01 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Spring is "officially" HERE!
Bright sunshine. Blue skies. Soft green grass. Red clay infield. Chalk lines. The smacking sound of a baseball collapsing in a leather glove. The thunk of a wood bat connecting to a baseball. Yep. Spring is here. Play Ball!
Don't hate the player, hate the game, except all Yankees players.
There is no sweeter sound in all of sports than the crack of a bat when it hits a leather baseball.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
you got that right
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
"With a guy like Melo, it’s tough to stop him with one person. You can’t. I don’t know one guy who can stop Melo on a consistent basis."-CP3
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
PS Let's win the NL West in 2010, shall we?
Hah
The phrase “the thwack of leather on willow” has become a cliche in this country to describe the sounds of a game of cricket on a gently dappled village green during a lazy, carefree summer, birds tweeting and flitting in the pushes, boats drifting past on the stream as you lie back against a handy grassy bank, glass of Pimms in one hand and your trusty pipe in another, and all is well with the world.
What a shame, I actually like Jurrjens,
But this is pretty good news for us. Now that the Braves rotation is sans Vazquez, if Jurrjens gets injured at some point during the season, it won’t be nearly as worrisome as last year
"CarGo had to make some repairs to it. They called it a kitchen accident, but he was performing surgery. On teh lazor."
"I mean come on, you can’t be from Nebraska and go to school at CU, I think they take away your overalls or one of your last remaining teeth for that."
If Jurrjens is hurt
The same four NL teams that made the playoffs last year would have to be the early favorites to make it again this season.
Something’s gonna happen to change that though because that never happens
"Show me a good loser in professional sports, and I'll show you an idiot." - Leo Durocher
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Feb 17, 2010 7:21 PM MST up reply actions
I like Jurrjens too...
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
"With a guy like Melo, it’s tough to stop him with one person. You can’t. I don’t know one guy who can stop Melo on a consistent basis."-CP3
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
PS Let's win the NL West in 2010, shall we?
RG, if you do get a chance to do the Todd piece
I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but this interview gives relevant info from the horse’s mouth.
Looks like he's not hurt
I like JJ a lot too…
http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/2/17/1314305/mri-results-are-in-for-braves
I take it you didn't read all the comments in the thread
Either read them or Google “Brandon Webb no structural damage” or “Jeff Francis no structural damage” or “Kelvim Escobar no structural damage” etc…, the point is that MRI’s come back clean pretty frequently, it’s the pain that’s the issue, and if that’s not better, or if he’s tight in any way a month from now, I could almost guarantee that he’s not going to pitch very much this season. If he is loose and throwing well then, that’s when I’d breathe a sigh of relief were I a Braves fan, but not until then.
Looks like Jurrjens still has shoulder tightness.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
by Jeff Aberle on Feb 20, 2010 12:01 PM MST up reply actions
Sometimes when I'm sick and go to the doctor
I hope they find out what it is and can diagnose it, so I can start getting better. Sometimes, they can’t find something wrong with me, and that’s worse. Either I’m sick and they missed it, so I have to hope my body heals itself, or I wasn’t sick. Difference – sore shoulders for pitchers potentially far worse, and a body can heal the sniffles far easier than any issues in a shoulder
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 20, 2010 1:35 PM MST up reply actions
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