Tuesday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ Oates on Feb 19, 2008 8:19 AM MST in Rockpile

With just half of a season of pro ball under his belt, Casey Weathers has already received the red carpet treatment from his teammates. However, instead of answering questions on the carpet, Weathers sang "Happy Birthday to You" to Aaron Cook. Cook turned 29 on 8 February. Depending on how things work out later this season, Weathers may actually turn out to be Corpas' red carpet.

One thing we'll want to watch as Spring Training progresses is how the pitchers and catchers deal with runners. Torrealba says his shoulder feels strong and Jimenez has watched video to make adjustments that will help him keep runners in check.

Cory Sullivan vs. Scott Podsednik -- Who do you have? In more interesting news, Iannetta will step to the plate with a different focus now. His plan of attack is still to be patient, but also swing a bit earlier in the count.

As the footnote in that article mentions, Todd Helton and the Rockies will appear in more TV ads this season. 2007 had some good ones.

If Jason Hirsh can return to the form he displayed in his two starts before he went down with a fractured fibula, the Rockies will have a rejuvenated fourth starter.

In former Rockies news, Shawn Chacon is close to a deal with the Astros. And for a guy who was a Rockie for a far shorter period of time than Chacon, Eric Byrnes' "Shaggin' Wagon" had a suspended license plate.

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Picture

They show the picture of Weathers on the "Red Carpet" but where is the picture of Corey Sullivan in a tuxedo and martini glass? I think that players doing this sort of thing in spring training, even if they were just drafted, builds bonds and helps make the game a game. It helps the players realize that baseball is fun, and that realization will lead to wins.

GO ROCKIES!!! JFK

by jrockies on Feb 19, 2008 9:01 AM MST reply actions

Sullivan

I thought Sullivan should have had the opening day roster spot last year over both Finley and Mabry but this year Podsednik could actually be of some value, especially if he shows he can still run the way he did before last year. Sullivan would make good trade bait or a very good reserve to have in the minors. The only problem I see with him in the minors is he has to play with Seth Smith, Dexter Fowler, Sean Barker and a few other highly noted prospects. I like the depth from a Rockies fan perspective but it does hinder on the players because the outfield is practically set in stone for the next few years.

GO ROCKIES!!! JFK

by jrockies on Feb 19, 2008 9:02 AM MST reply actions

RRRR

I hate Eric Byrnes...I hope his car burns down. Or breaks down. Or blows up. Or something.

Man I hate that guy

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time It's Tulowitzki!...Tulo-witzki-witzki-witzki ..... rockiesmagicnumber.blogspot.com

by Andrew Martin on Feb 19, 2008 10:29 AM MST reply actions

Hunter Pence:

Not the brightest bulb in the bunch.

At least he didn't win ROY, or that would have been really embarrassing, eh? Tulo can tell if doors are open or not. Mwah.

Get Demented :: Gang Gridiron.

by Silverblood on Feb 19, 2008 11:35 AM MST reply actions

OMG

He noticed excessive bleeding, and called his parents???? Was mommy going to come running with the band-aids? Geeeeeezzzeee.

2007 National League Champions, baby!

by rockhead on Feb 19, 2008 1:21 PM MST up reply actions

Being a year younger than Pence

I can attest to the whole "calling the parents" thing when you don't know how to do something. Maybe Pence thought they would say something to the effect of "oh, this is nothing major, just put a band-aid on it." Being a man under 30 often makes you feel somewhat invincible, and sometimes we fail to grasp the gravity of certain situations, this perhaps being one of them.

And I've also walked into a glass door, though thankfully in my case the door didn't shatter. It happens.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Feb 19, 2008 2:51 PM MST up reply actions

So off baseball...but

When I was in High School, and into college I thought my parents were the stupidist people on the planet. But when I was out in the real world and on my own....I realized they were far from that...and I called them for tons of stupid stuff. But stuff I just hadn't had to learn or face. So I can see where Hunter would call his parents. In fact it's good to see him actually lean on this parents in a time of need.

Granted if I walked through a sliding glass window, I'd have called 911 FIRST...but baseball players usually aren't the smartest eggs in the basket.

I miss Kaz! He really could Rock-a-Rhyme, even if it was Tricky

by Redhawk on Feb 19, 2008 3:40 PM MST up reply actions

Its a good thing he wasnt carrying deer meat!

At least the broncos dont totally suck

by roxfan4life on Feb 19, 2008 3:55 PM MST up reply actions

Especially when

it comes to cooking. I don't know if my parents expected me to get married at 20, or for me to move back in with them after I got out of college, but they never taught me much, so I'm always calling them with questions about that that some people might think are stupid.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Feb 19, 2008 4:35 PM MST up reply actions

There are no stupid questions

about cooking! Cooking is one of those skills that no man can afford to be without. Hell, I still call my mother about cooking stuff, and I'm a darn good cook. (Largely thanks to Mom.) I also call my brother-in-law a bunch as well. That guy can cook!

2007 National League Champions, baby!

by rockhead on Feb 19, 2008 5:53 PM MST up reply actions

Thats funny because...

I just called my mom last night to find out how to know when pork has gone bad. Any male in his 20's has to make a call like that at least a couple times a month.

It's amazing how much free time I have during the off-season.

by jcd823 on Feb 19, 2008 6:34 PM MST up reply actions

Cooking is not that hard...

Man slap raw meat on grill and light giant fire. Then wait until man belly growls loud enough. Take meat off of fire and eat. Fork and plate optional.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Feb 19, 2008 9:19 PM MST up reply actions

There's a lot to be said

for this approach to cooking. I've practiced it myself a few times.

Really a funny post. Thanks!

2007 National League Champions, baby!

by rockhead on Feb 19, 2008 9:35 PM MST up reply actions

I'm in college

and I've generally always had a very good relationship with my parents, but if I walked into a sliding glass door and it shattered everywhere, I don't think my first reaction would to be to hop into a shower to wash glass off, then notice I'm bleeding like a stuck pig, and then call my parents.

Get Demented :: Gang Gridiron.

by Silverblood on Feb 19, 2008 4:36 PM MST up reply actions

Glass door

I've also walked into a sliding glass door, though all I got was a sore nose and a lot of embarrassment. It's not hard to do if the glass is really clean and there's no glare. Especially if people are coming in and out and someone shuts it behind them. But I will have to say, either he was going fast or it was just really flukey for the thing to shatter.

by holly96 on Feb 19, 2008 5:38 PM MST up reply actions

My TV wish

If there are any kind-hearted baseball-loving billionaires out there, here's an idea for you:

The Spring Training Channel

Just day long coverage from spring training camps without commentary. Hours and hours of gloves popping and bats cracking. In the middle of February, that could be my Zen Meditation -- just staring at the TV watching some guy with the number 84 on his back take grounders.

Yes indeed, I have big dreams.

by BroJB @ Purple Row on Feb 19, 2008 11:46 AM MST reply actions

re: My TV wish

Amen.

by Fos on Feb 19, 2008 3:37 PM MST up reply actions

YEA!

I so would love that channel.

Die-hard Rockies fan. On the bandwagon since 7/6/93. Not giving up my seat. EVER! rockiesfan4ever reffered you

by rockiesfan4ever on Feb 19, 2008 3:48 PM MST up reply actions

"without commentary"

being the key phrase in that suggestion. I'd absolutely love it.

by oo_nrb on Feb 19, 2008 6:53 PM MST up reply actions

Heh

Yeah, just my luck they'd start something like that and then hire Tim McCarver to host it.

"I don't like how they're positioned in right field for this fungo hitter. if I were running this practice....."

by BroJB @ Purple Row on Feb 19, 2008 9:03 PM MST up reply actions

No speech

I love the idea. I cannot wait for my Spring Break so I can go down to Tucson and watch the practices, the drills and of course hear the popping of balls in gloves and off of bats. I also like going to learn the game more so commentary would only ruin what the coaches (THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING) are getting at and pointing out. The only problem would be that other teams could watch as well and pick up on what some player is focusing on at the plate or pitching and hurt that player in a game by focusing on their weakness. Still a great idea for the fans though.

GO ROCKIES!!! JFK

by jrockies on Feb 19, 2008 10:28 PM MST up reply actions

Only problem is

the best part about spring training is the weather. It's just not the same when you're sitting there watching that and it's 30 degrees outside.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Feb 19, 2008 9:23 PM MST up reply actions

Denver Post article

"Steve Finley snatched Sullivan's spot last spring, before failing miserably."

Wow, they don't really hold anything back, huh?

by oo_nrb on Feb 19, 2008 12:56 PM MST reply actions

At least

we can all agree on that.

Get Demented :: Gang Gridiron.

by Silverblood on Feb 19, 2008 12:58 PM MST up reply actions

Harding's latest notes column

found here tells us all we need to know about Stewart and the second base job.

In summation, if he doesn't impress early, it won't matter. That shouldn't surprise anyone here, but if you've read many early annuals or fantasy guides, the Stewart to second move has been the biggest Rockies' non-story.

Simply put, he's the Huckabee of this race: He's going to garner plenty of outside media attention, but must explode or be relegated to also-ran.

I think the fact that he's still giving third base plenty of reps should suggests both the club and Stewart know his future lies there.

Honestly, with reps already to be at a premium, I hope they close on Stewart's audition quickly enough so that they have plenty of time to see Nix in comparison to the real competition.

by David OhNo on Feb 19, 2008 6:36 PM MST reply actions

outside of Stewart

does Nix even have any "real competition"?

I miss Kaz! He really could Rock-a-Rhyme, even if it was Tricky

by Redhawk on Feb 19, 2008 9:41 PM MST up reply actions

I would think so

For one, you can never rule out the team's adoration for Clint Barmes and his work ethic (a credit to him, I might add). If Barmes gets hot in spring games while Nix struggles, I could see a situation where Clint is given the primary role at second (ala Torrealba/Iannetta).

I think Giles will be given a "fair" shot. Fair relative to his past two years of performance, not necessarilly meaning equal.

Lastly, if we are to talk of any conversion player being a legit candidate, it would have to be Baker. He's apparently dropped weight to 209 lbs., which suggests to me that the club hasn't attempted to hinder his conversion process. Also, I'm sure he'll be given a decent shot at second considering that his roster spot could be in jeopardy. Baker might be in a situation where if he does not impress early he could become trade bait. I still think a successful conversion for Baker still means he'll become a bigger utility player, but I can see where his success here relates to his status with the team.

It's Nix job to lose, but with his struggles leading up to 2007, I don't think he can just be handed the job if he does not succeed this spring. I do expect this to be legitimate competition, only because I still don't believe everyone is sold on Nix's bat. This isn't close to being the same situation as Tulowitzki or Iannetta, who were both much more established minor league prospects, and subsequently had more room for error.

by David OhNo on Feb 19, 2008 11:07 PM MST up reply actions

ANOTHER REASON TO LIKE BARMES.......

about 2 years ago when he was the starting SS; he left the Spring Training complex and saw a young Rox minor leaguer walking to the Clarion Hotel, in 100+ degree weather. He stopped and gave the "lowly" player a ride and treated him as an equal. Rox players are so classy that most would do that but most MLB players wouldn't. He has proved to be a "truely" good person. Not enough of a reason to make a team but plenty of reason to pull for him.

92 in 08

by 86 wins in 07 on Feb 20, 2008 10:10 AM MST up reply actions