Sunday Rockpile: Great Catcher War of 2009 makes the mainstream press; Rockies interested in Cuban first baseman
by Rox Girl on Feb 7, 2010 8:17 AM MST
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PrintTroy Renck's been aware of Purple Row's Great Catcher War of 2009, and he alludes to it in a piece that fondly remembers the service Yorvit Torrealba provided to the Rockies over his four seasons here. By waiting out the market, the Padres were able to sign Torrealba for about half price on his WAR estimated value. People are making a big deal of the mistake Torrealba and his agent made in turning down the Rockies best offer, but I think a bigger one could be counting on the Mets to sign Bengie Molina or be interested in Torrealba if they did not. The market quickly turned in on itself once Molina went back to the Giants.
Also from Renck, there are some interesting notes following this article on Ian Stewart's ascension to the role of starting third baseman and what he and the team are looking for from him in 2010. One note that probably shouldn't be brushed aside is that Paul Lo Duca probably won't accept a AAA assignment if he doesn't beat out Miguel Olivo or Chris Iannetta for a major league job. That scenario for Lo Duca likely doesn't happen without a DL stint for one of the other two.
Due to the relative trickle of baseball players that make it out of Cuba, and the typically higher cost of signing those players, it's very rare that we read of the Rockies being interested in recently defected Cubans. Apparently Jose Julio Ruiz is an exception. ESPN's Jorge Aranguré blogged about Ruiz earlier this off season in a report for ESPN Insider subscribers. Ruiz is a 25 year old left handed hitting first baseman that would presumably head to the upper minors (I would guess Tulsa) as added Todd Helton insurance for the next couple of seasons. Some feel, I'm not sure if the Rockies are in this camp, that he could also play in the outfield, so he could also be in that picture should the team part with Brad Hawpe anytime soon. Ruiz is expected to make his decision within the next couple of days.
In case you've missed it elsewhere the last couple of days, the Rockies are also interested Todd Wellemeyer and Noah Lowry on minor league deals. It seems both are more likely to sign elsewhere.
So today I got this super new punch bowl, it's plastic and it holds punch, like I say, it's just super, so I'm having this super bowl party just to celebrate the fact I got a really awesome punch bowl. It should be fun.
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OMG!!!!!!
And Renck even includes a history reference! Lincoln-Douglas FTW!
NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS
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Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
by Russ Oates on Feb 7, 2010 8:21 AM MST via mobile reply actions
This makes me self-conscious
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 8:51 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah that was sweet..
Renck’s article in early 07 first led me to PR. For which I will always be grateful.
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by Charlie77 on Feb 8, 2010 12:51 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I'm having my morning cup and reading the Post and there it was...
purplerow.com. I really thought, “My God, someone besides ourselves is taking us seriously”. Pretty cool.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
And yet
It was referring to one of the darkest hours around here. Oh well, no such thing as bad publicity, right?
by controlled_slide on Feb 7, 2010 10:03 AM MST up reply actions
I just hope
new visitors will then find my academic military history piece that goes along with the debate.
NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
by Russ Oates on Feb 7, 2010 10:37 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Why?
We forgive you your transgressions
The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.
by rockieprogress on Feb 7, 2010 11:11 AM MST up reply actions
why is it a dark hour exactly?
total agreement kinda blows…
"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
The vitriol with which some people disagreed
Was extreme. Plus, there were numerous personal attacks. Discussion is fun. Flame wars are not.
by controlled_slide on Feb 7, 2010 11:22 AM MST up reply actions
Were there personal attacks?
for some reason I don’t remember much of the catcher wars… maybe I was drunk the whole time…
"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
Also, many of the posts were hidden quickly after being posted.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 11:33 AM MST up reply actions
so thats what we do with our wars? we just sweep them under the rug? Pretend they never happened?!?!
We must let them stand as a testament to the fury lest history repeat itself again!!!!
"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
The only posts that were removed were opnes that violated the TOS.
The debate is still there to read.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 12:57 PM MST up reply actions
I think it shows that folks (even Renck) pay attention to our passion.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
I got an email in September from Patrick Saunders saying he
read(s) The Purple Row blog nearly every day. I enjoy it and I learn quite a few things. I even endure the shots you take at The Denver Post every now and again.
The email was actually about mis-attributing his article to Renck in an article (though the byline in the online article was blank). We are fortunate not to have the Murray Chass treatment from our beat writers.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 11:50 AM MST up reply actions
I emailed Renck after the Barmes interview posted
his response:
Andrew
I will check it out. Thanks for the heads up. The passion on your site is amazing.
Purple Row: Take this personally
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 7, 2010 2:48 PM MST up reply actions
fantastic
great work all around!
Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection. ~Red Smith
Has the visitor/user registered count increased after the name drop?
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 10:13 AM MST up reply actions
Slightly, it appears.
This is the first time there’s an actual link to the site in the article.
NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
This made me irrationally happy
Saved by the buoyancy of citrus.
Wow.
To be honest, I didn’t think PR was that well-known.
by CentralCaliRox on Feb 7, 2010 12:26 PM MST up reply actions
We're easily the most active and professional Colorado Rockies blog.
Which allows us to stand out in that particular sphere.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 12:30 PM MST up reply actions
that's what makes it so enjoyable around here.
Good discussions, humor and very little flaming. I’ve been on some boards that are just verbal fistfights all the time. Not fun at all.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
The fact Renck references PR
Should be a testament to the solid analysis, well-written posts, and knowledgeable fans who comment here. While some notable personalities in the MSP continue to disparage blogs (and without doubt, the quality varies greatly depending on the site), PR should be considered on the same level as the DP for its depth and breadth of all things Rockies. Well done.
Don't hate the player, hate the game, except all Yankees players.
by SoxRoxFan on Feb 7, 2010 9:30 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
To my knowledge,
this is the third time he’s mentioned us by name, fourth overall.
2006: September article saying even the bloggers at Purple Row would be hard pressed to name the players even if they were lined up at Union Station.
2007 or 2008: Rox Girl makes entry here about Juan Morillo and his options. Renck references PR as “story on the internet.”
2009: All Things Rockies entry about our coverage of Chacin’s call-up.
NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
The Barmes and Gustafson interviews
show that PR is a valuable news source. PR won’t have the same level of access (yet) that Renck has to the players or the organization, but where PR shines is providing the in-depth analysis and insight into what fans are thinking/feeling. Its a symbiotic relationship with the “MSP,” which both keeps them honest and adds more perspective that a single beat writer can’t deliver. I like Renck – he’s knowledgeable and fun to read, but he’s only one set of eyes and ears.
Don't hate the player, hate the game, except all Yankees players.
The Chacin call up
article was great because he was giving us credit for picking up on the oddity of the situation
JFK
The Chacin story was all I talked about for a week
I must have told the story 20 times about watching the drillers gamecast, seeing him pulled after the first inning, creating a PR account, just so I could get more analysis/information.
by TGumb on Feb 7, 2010 1:42 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Oh yeah, it was you wasn't it?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 1:43 PM MST up reply actions
Thanks
There is nothing better than having a group of people who feel the same passion/obsession about the Rockies. Baseball would not be the same without PR. My Dad even said he logged in today because the local newspaper is Grand Junction was not giving him enough rockies news.
the GJ Sentinel is often found..
Lacking. Unless the topic is Juco
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by Charlie77 on Feb 8, 2010 1:00 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I can't tell you which Post writer mentioned it
But I found this blog in 2007 thanks to a reference in the Post.
I think. Could’ve been the late, lamented Rocky Mountain News,
but I think it was the Post.
That was back when Silverblood was at the height of her
powers. After checking in a few times, I quickly figured out
that RoxGirl knows her baseball & that Silver was a very funny
writer.
So mainstream press references are good for blogs … which
seem destined to outlive the mainstream press, the way things
are going.
New decade, new result: time for a Rockies' division championship.
"Back when" I was at the height of my powers?
I resemble that indication.
Bronco utter fail: COMPLETE. When does the Rockies season start? Not.soon.enough.
You were scary in 07.
Scary good.
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by Charlie77 on Feb 8, 2010 1:01 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
The MSP's problem
is that the columns are always too short, a function of page real estate. But it leaves me wanting for more. PR fills in the gaps.
And I agree with you. The Fourth Estate is in a real pickle financially (and to some extent, also in terms of their integrity). Seemingly, the internet is a natural meritocracy, meaning that high quality blogs will, over time, become the primary “source(s) of truth”. In part, this is because of the almost endless capability to interact with others (even the online DP is a predominantly one-sided discussion).
Don't hate the player, hate the game, except all Yankees players.
Enjoy the new bowl, RG
Coincidentally enough, I’m also going to something that’s being referred to as a super “bowl party”, so I guess my wife’s friend also got a new bowl. I’m hoping that she’s going to use it for guacamole.
by controlled_slide on Feb 7, 2010 10:05 AM MST reply actions
Thanks, I'm going to have bourbon milk punch in my bowl tonight
just because I really like New Orleans.
You know, it's really better if you cut out the milk and punch, doncha? :)
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
ha... I know, but then all my friends get too much of my hooch.
I don’t like them that much.
Actually, it’s basically just bourbon, milk, simple syrup, vanilla paste and nutmeg, it’s really easy to put together and really tasty.
sounds pretty good. May have to give it a try.
I think today’s adult beverage menu will be Modelo Especial, Shiner Bock and Lemon Chello.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
My menu includes a slew of mkorpal's homebrews
Olde Ale, Hefeweizen, Oatmeal Stout, maybe some oak-aged mead.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 12:17 PM MST up reply actions
My roommate and I brewed our own beer for today
we’re calling it Free Roaming Radical Beer
ITLL GET YOU DRUNK (if you consume a lot of it, I think it’s fairly weak)
"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
homemade beer can be kind of tricky. My F-I-L made some and it wasn't capped correctly and it
exploded in the fridge. Pissed off his wife to no end.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
Yea it was the first time we brewed, it came out (surprisingly) well
thanks for the recipes dude
"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
realmenwearpurple and EricMedic do as well, iirc
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 8, 2010 8:21 AM MST up reply actions
home brewer here
just got a dultch pilsner I am trying to get a super hoppy quasi-original recipe for…
so far not quite what I have wanted…
But I drink all failures
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
ouch
"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
can you please stop shouting?
THIS IS HOW I TALK!
I mean, say what you like about the tenets of Rockies baseball, Dude, at least it's an ethos.
YES THEY DESERVE TO DIE AND I HOPE THEY BURN IN HELL
"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
whoah, the Dodgers payroll will be smaller than Minnesota's in 2010?
as pointed out by Nick Cafardo via mlbtraderumors. I hadn’t realized that.
Yeah, I just read that myself.
Fascinating.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 10:30 AM MST up reply actions
pigs are flying
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by Charlie77 on Feb 8, 2010 1:04 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Padres fans didn't like him for beating his wife, allegedly
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 1:20 PM MST up reply actions
No Giles
And it was his pregnant girlfriend.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 2:38 PM MST up reply actions
Yes, I can confirm that Giles is not a particulary popular player
in San Diego. Hate is probably too strong.
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?
Probably true
I haven’t read any material on him except fresh reactions to the domestic dispute. Additionally, he had a horrific 2009 on the field
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 2:49 PM MST up reply actions
Double confirm
It was a case of Local Boy Acts Like D***head, Fails to Perform on the Field.
Sounds like a real winner
Bronco utter fail: COMPLETE. When does the Rockies season start? Not.soon.enough.
super bowl Sunday is apparently the perfect day
For my internet and cable to go out. Two hours and counting…
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 10:59 AM MST via mobile reply actions
I hope Lo Duca leaves the organization once he learns he's probably 4-5th on the catching depth chart
after Iannetta, Olivo, McKenry, and Phillips. Even if he’s just depth, what do we even need him in TripleA for? McKenry and Phillips should be given the full amount of starts at the level.
Impossible not to have positive thoughts.
I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.
We had 3 catchers down there last year, and it worked out okay.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 11:34 AM MST up reply actions
true
but this should be a little different, considering that the most at bats that a catcher had at the level was 212, and we didn’t have a real prospect in the level last year. We should be aiming to get the same amount of at bats for McKenry this year (358), and the rest should honestly go to Phillips since he seems to be the best bet for a new backup should an injury/suckitude occur. I wouldn’t mind having three catchers in Tulsa so we can call one up though if this occurs, and the Lo Duca/Phillips types will always be in the free agent market looking for a new job.
Impossible not to have positive thoughts.
I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.
by bballrox4717 on Feb 7, 2010 11:43 AM MST up reply actions
We need him to catch pitchers during Spring Training
Then he will move along
New decade, new result: time for a Rockies' division championship.
Yep, that's how I see his job.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
Yorvit going to the Padres
Conjures up images of Yorvit burning the Padres last season with that 3-run double…….ahhh yes :D.
"CarGo had to make some repairs to it. They called it a kitchen accident, but he was performing surgery. On teh lazor."
Hollidayrain Music
3OH!3 Remix Project!
Hopefully this year, he burns the Padres by grounding into three double plays in a single game.
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 12:03 PM MST up reply actions
This is probably gonna be a rough season for Yorvit
Why? Petco Park.
"CarGo had to make some repairs to it. They called it a kitchen accident, but he was performing surgery. On teh lazor."
Hollidayrain Music
3OH!3 Remix Project!
by Hollidayrain on Feb 7, 2010 12:22 PM MST up reply actions
yea
his already weak power numbers are just going to get worse. he could hit 0 home runs this year.
I guess now we can say "Pitchers and catchers report NEXT WEEK". WooooooHoooooo
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
Interesting.
I read on ITR that Christian Colonel regretted signing with the Red Sox instead of staying here. He had a decent spring last season and it would’ve been nice to retain him..
Ugh...the Torrey article brought a tear to my eye. Especially that photo
I remember commenting on the Game 4 thread that he looked as though he thought he might have seen the last of the Rockies and just so, so sad.
SDcat is a sad panda today :(
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?
Hey Cat
How’s your mom doing? Was the surgery successful?
by controlled_slide on Feb 7, 2010 2:45 PM MST up reply actions
Hey C_Slide :)
well, her surgery was successful, but we found out it was caused by a stroke. :(. So we are having to deal with a completely other set of issues now. I’m at the hospital while she’s sleeping. The good news is that she has been able to get out of bed, walk a little bit on her own. And seems cognitive if very confused. But but still there are some issues. Its going to be a long recovery. Hopefully, she’ll be up to watching the Super Bowl, as she seemed to enjoy watching the Nuggets whoop the Lakers :)
Go Saints!
But thank you so much for asking:)
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?
Well, hope there's no permanent damage
And that she gets better soon.
by controlled_slide on Feb 7, 2010 2:58 PM MST up reply actions
Thanks !!! :)
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?
You are exactly right bad and good
Thank you for the kind thoughts and words:)
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?
this.
Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection. ~Red Smith
I'm watching it
WHODAT
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 7, 2010 6:34 PM MST up reply actions
I should be writing articles
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 7, 2010 6:40 PM MST up reply actions
I actually am writing an article. heh
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 7:19 PM MST up reply actions
You should ask for topic requests
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 7, 2010 7:20 PM MST up reply actions
I have 3 articles in mind
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 7, 2010 7:35 PM MST up reply actions
"Avatars and You: How to Tell Andrews Apart From One Another"
by Greg Stanwood on Feb 7, 2010 7:39 PM MST up reply actions
I'm gonna commission Jabbs for that
good 12 part PRA series
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 7, 2010 7:43 PM MST up reply actions
Lesson One: Facial Hair and Bathrobes...
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
what's wrong with the one i have
Purple Row: Take this personally
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Learn about Batting Metrics
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by Andrew Martin on Feb 8, 2010 7:02 AM MST up reply actions
Since when did RMN get..
Wallpaper?
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by Charlie77 on Feb 8, 2010 1:08 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
It's hard to see
on the radio
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
JFK
hellloooo youtube
Purple Row: Take this personally
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber
Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics
by Andrew Martin on Feb 9, 2010 12:14 AM MST up reply actions
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