Friday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ Oates on Jun 22, 2007 8:38 AM MDT in Rockpile Comment 21 comments

"A lot of people who came here Tuesday to cheer them left unhappy (Thursday)," third baseman Garrett Atkins said. "That's a good feeling."

Yeah, those Yankees "fans" had no idea what hit them. This is the first time in a decade that Yankees fans have experienced this kind of losing, and if you visit Pinstripe Alley you'll find some of those fans. Now, if you're in your twenties and a Yankees fan, I'd ask you if you can name someone on the team from the early '90's that wasn't on any of the World Series teams. If you do, then you're a real Yankees fan (though I'm not implying that if you can't, you aren't).

Also in the same article:

"I think this team has a good chance to go to the playoffs. You know why?" Julio asked. "Because we have a great bullpen (4.25 ERA). Our starters go six, seven innings, nobody has a chance."

You said it, now live up to it.

-----

The great Captain isn't so great:

"Honestly," Jeter said, "I don't know a lot about their team [the Rockies]."

Honestly, he knows a lot about them now. And so does the rest of America, or at least those who've been watching Baseball Tonight the last few days. Actually, it began over the weekend on FOX's pre-game show when Eric Karros encouraged people to Vote Matt Holliday! for the All-Star Game. Then yesterday, BT spent a good few minutes on the Rockies after recapping the game: Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, NL West race.

It's good to get some exposure.

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Kizla again....

His Headline suggests an article to praise Tulo, but even now he uses it to take jabs at "bumbling ownership", and, as he sees it, an almost non-existent fan base. Maybe the bumbling ownership of the Rocky/Post will see the error of their ways and replace hacks like Kizla and Lincicome with writers who have knowledge and opinions worth reading.

Maybe I'm wearing rose colored glasses in the glare of our month-long run, but I'm starting to think that our "bumbling ownership" and front office learned from their mistakes, and are about to be seen in the same light as small market geniuses in Oakland and Minnesota. The trades that brought us Taveras, Lopez, Matsui, Hirsh and Bucholtz are looking more brilliant with each passing day. The farm system seems to have enough talent to allow us to replace parts when needed, or to trade for an important missing piece during a pennant run. Right now, I can't think of a more exciting or dynamic team to be a fan of.

by jlikesrockies on Jun 22, 2007 9:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Only problem is

that Oakland and Minnesota have been "small market geniuses" on a consistent basis for years. I wouldn't start to equate the Rockies ownership and FO with them after one season, which has yet to finish.

"Vae victis!" - Brennus the Gaul

by Russ Oates on Jun 22, 2007 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

While this season has gotten fun, we haven't done anything yet. So far they could be great owners that that are geniuses, or they could have just gotten lucky. It takes more then one year to know if they got lucky or not.

I think ownership will have some big tests this off season. Payroll MUST go up, just to keep pace with the rest of the league. We have players in arbitration with Free Agency looming on the horizon for some. We also have holes that will need to be filled (an offensive Catcher, a 2ndbaseman, at least one starting pitcher), and the Rockies can't just hope that all their cheap scrape heap reclamation projects will hit like Lopez and Kaz Matsui and Julio. We could also use more position prospects that are close in our system besides Stewart.

If ownership goes all cheap again, then we know they are broke, and can't or wont' pay for a winner. If they smartly move pieces like they did last off season, then we might give them credit for not being complete idiots (though it will take time for me to call 'em geniuses)

Personally I still think Hurdle is a dunce.

Treasurer of the Kazuo Matsui Fan Club!

by Redhawk on Jun 22, 2007 10:13 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blasphemy

I see no reason why Kaz should not be extended. This doesn't seem like a Jamey Carroll playing out of his mind situation. Kaz was a great player in Japan, and he's finally living up to that potential in our quaint little burg. Think we lock him up for 3 years for 4 million per, although that might be a bit light the way that he's playing, and that at least gives us a quality 2nd baseman.

On the other points, yeah, the upcoming seasons will be the test for the FO. So far, it's been a great run. If we continue to play this way and make a playoff run or something, that's great. The FO needs to be thinking about what will make this type of run sustainable, and if they're successful there, we can talk about calling them geniuses.

So far, so good though.

President of the Kazuo Matsui Fan Club

by MattTheRock on Jun 22, 2007 10:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want Kaz too!

But he did get only a one year contract. But looking around at other 2ndbase FA I think Kazuo is easily the top of the heap. (others include: Jeff Kent, Belliard, L. Castillo) Which I'm afraid will make him a little pricey, but worth it, and eventually the Rockies will have to pay sticker for a player, and I think Kaz should be one that would deserve some of the Rockies limited budget. I hope the Rockies sign him, and pay him. They (rox front office) SHOULD be working on an extension now.

Treasurer of the Kazuo Matsui Fan Club!

by Redhawk on Jun 22, 2007 10:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another offseason need

Another thing we need this offseason is a relief pitcher or two that won't give us all nervous fits when they got the call to the mound. We'll probably need one or two anyway as Martin is only on a one year contract (and is the main person that gives most of us fits when he's on the mound) as is Julio (who may be worth a flier with as well as he's pitched for us since coming to Colorado) and Buchholz will hopefully move to the rotation with Lopez and Fogg both being free agents.

Free Taylor Buchholz!

by lgh77 on Jun 22, 2007 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know what you're saying.....

Obviously, this one month run has to continue for a few seasons before we're seen in that light. It's just the optimistic fan in me thinking positively about what might be in the making.

by jlikesrockies on Jun 22, 2007 10:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious?

The Jennings-Taveras trade was a horrible move. Jennings was our ACE. By trading him away for practically nothing, the ownership is basically giving the finger to the entire fanbase...
Oh sorry, I was just reading over some spring training Denver Post articles and got confused

Anyone who doesn't love and constantly use statistics to analyze baseball is ignorant and shouldn't even be allowed to watch the game.

by rox in october on Jun 22, 2007 11:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love the word ACE

in that. Had me laughing aloud. How many wins has he? How many have Hirsh and Bucky? PLUS one of the best lead-off hitters in Rockies' history (regardless of what Bad Altitude thinks).

The term "highway robbery" applies to this trade almost as much as Eli Marrero for Kaz Matsui.

I've been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before. - Casey Stengel

by Behrens on Jun 22, 2007 12:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

John Manuel's take on Iannetta

Q: Russ from Purple Row asks:
Would it be better for Chris Iannetta to go back to the Springs to play on a consistent basis? I'm in favor of him staying with the big club to learn the pitchers, even if he's going to get only 2 or 3 games a week (not that Hurdle will actually give him that many games).

A: John Manuel: I don't have Iannetta's defensive stats handy but that's a factor here. If he's doing a good job handling pitchers when he plays, controls the running game, etc., then it's worth it to keep him in Colorado. That team is contending now with how well it's playing, best record in the majors since late May, and it's important for the fans there, the front office and the whole franchise really for the Rockies to do well this year without mortgaging the future. You just can't measure a catcher's readiness or progress simply by the offense, which I admit has been quite a disappointment. If he's a big league defender, he'll stay in the big leagues, even if he's struggling offensively.

"Vae victis!" - Brennus the Gaul

by Russ Oates on Jun 22, 2007 2:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

re: jeter's comments

i put this in the game thread yesterday because it's hilariously funny. but we shouldn't feel bad that he doesn't know much about us. he also said of clemens and his pursuit of 350 wins:

"i don't think you'll see anyone else reach that number."

greg maddux currently has 339 wins at age 41. good to know jeter's aware of other great players in the game.

Rockies in October.

by LarryB303 on Jun 22, 2007 2:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it was a more general statement

I don't think this is a negative thing on Jeter. What he was trying to say is that "after this group of 40-year olds" no-one will reach that number again.

Jeter knows his history. Just because he wasn't aware of Maddux's specific number (a guy who has ALWAYS been an NL guy) doesn't make Jeter disrespect history.

You're going out of your way to bash Jeter here when he doesn't deserve it

by sg8335aa on Jun 22, 2007 2:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

if he meant that

he should have said it. it may have been printed out of context but the way it comes off in the paper is extremely ignorant. regardless of what league you play in vs. what league other players play in, if youre going to make statements like that you'd better understand what you're talking about. how do you know jeter knows his (non yankee related) history? has he proven this in the past at any point?

Rockies in October.

by LarryB303 on Jun 22, 2007 3:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you KIDDING ME?

What did Jeter refuse to give you an autograph when you were a kid or something?

How the hell are players supposed to keep track over EVERY SINGLE milestone?

You're nit-picking here......and clearly have an alternate agenda to bash Jeter any way you can.

I'm not Jeter fan......but I'm also willing to stand-up for a guy that is getting bashed unfairly FOR NO GOOD REASON.

The ONLY WAY that this makes sense is if Maddux was playing for the Yankees and Jeter was disrespecting his own teammate (or MAYBE if Maddux was playing in the AL East). However Maddux is playing in the NL.....and its quite likely that Jeter has only had 2-3 AB against him in his entire life........

I can't believe I'm still debating something as stupid as your remarks.

by sg8335aa on Jun 23, 2007 7:35 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

350 wins

is not some dinky little run of the mill milestone like 500 strikeouts or 200 doubles or something. it's a big freaking deal. my problem isn't with jeter, necessarily. it's more with the media's portrayal of him as a "standup, classy guy". i can't believe everyone falls for this. how, as a person/in his off the field persona, is he any different than 75% of the rest of the players in the league? the answer is, he's not. he's a regular pro athlete. sure, he plays a glamour position in america's biggest media market. but what has he ever done to magically acquire this reputation of being "classier" and a better guy than any old baseball player?

i can't believe i'm wasting time arguing something as stupid as this either, but it's true.

Rockies in October.

by LarryB303 on Jun 23, 2007 1:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

jeter

I personally don't expect the players to know about other players' milestones. I can barely keep track of them all. The whole milestone thing is overblown, IMO.

The difference between 2,999 hits and 3,000 hits? One hit. Big deal.

by Roberbola on Jun 22, 2007 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mr. Yankee

I'm just glad no one is sticking a recorder in my face looking for comments to print for the whole world to see. I have enough trouble keeping my thoughts straight when I have time to type, re-read, and edit it. I'm giving Jeter a pass on that quote, but I can't give him a pass on his baserunning this week! Thanks Derek!

by fatheadX on Jun 22, 2007 3:45 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly right

Jeter is paid to play baseball, not to analyze and comment on baseball. He should take grief for making three outs on the bases in the Rockies series, not for overlooking the career wins of pitcher that he won't even face this year.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the Yankees, but Jeter is as classy as they get, is a great player, and a legitimate HOFer.

by Roberbola on Jun 22, 2007 4:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

classy?

not with the way he's thrown arod under the bus the last two years. my favorite was last summer, when he told reporters who asked him if he had any thoughts about the crowd booing arod by saying he "wasn't going to tell them who to boo and cheer." exactly one year earlier, when giambi was struggling mightily, jeter very publicly called the fans out and told them to not boo giambi. hmmm. yeah, but he's really good looking, and a good player, and the captain of the yankees, so he MUST be classy, right? that's a media-created persona, plain and simple. great player; but not a classy guy. my problem with the comment about 350 wins is it reeks of "there's no other teams out there besides the yankees and red sox."

Rockies in October.

by LarryB303 on Jun 22, 2007 5:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, if that's the worst thing

you can say about Jeter then I rest my case.

In a world of juiced-up jerks who play with a me-first attitude, pulling their girlfriends down the stairs by the hair, immersing themselves in a world of gangs and dog-fighting and drugs, Jeter is breath of fresh air.

by Roberbola on Jun 22, 2007 6:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha

youre right. given that those behaviors are associated with nearly every ballplayer except jeter, i guess i have to yield to you. he IS a breath of fresh air. and have you seen how cute he is? if i were a 14 year old girl i'd write him a love letter every day.

seriously, let's look at your list of "problem guys" in baseball. juiced-up: yeah, plenty of those kinds of guys around. however, there are tons of great players who are not. and some of the juiced up ones are nice guys who do stuff for charity and whatever. jerks: so when has jeter been especially un-jerky? i'm not saying he's a jerk, but i am saying i also haven't seen any evidence to the contrary. he's a regular guy. oh, i forgot, he's the captain of the yankees. no way he could be a jerk. me-first attitude: completely anecdotal. give me a list of guys that play with a "me first attitude". if you make it past bonds, clemens, and shea hillenbrand i'll be shocked. domestic abuse: so, in the past few years, you've got brett meyers and elijah dukes. anyone else? didn't think so. gangs: dukes again maybe? that's about it. dog fighting- i think we all know who this is a reference to.

look, it's not that jeter is a bad guy. but my question is, where does this nation's love affair with him come from? i guess it's because he plays shortstop for the yankees. do you know how many other non wife beating, non dog fighting, non juiced up, non jerk, non gang related players there are out there? plenty of them. and if the media would just bother to tell me about them a little more and about david eckstein and jeter a little less, i'd really appreciate it.

also, jeter is still a moron for not knowing about maddux and a bad teammate for throwing arod under the bus.

Rockies in October.

by LarryB303 on Jun 23, 2007 1:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs