Giambi excited for season
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Rocky Road For Club If Street is Out Spring Training injuries are as common as the morning sunrise. Everyday there is a new one. When athletes are actually million dollar investments, there is no reason to push a player who has a bump or a bruise. Six weeks of Spring Training is usually plenty of time to get ready for the everyday grind of the season. If a player feels a twinge in a hamstring, they will sit. Most of the time the injury is so minor that had it occurred in a regular season game, the player never would have left the game. In Spring Training however, they will rest for two or three days. With that in mind, recently inked closer Huston Street had a sore shoulder a week and a half into camp. He blamed it on pushing too hard in the offseason and throwing off a mound when he usually holds off until camp. No big deal, rest seemed to be the best remedy. The problem now for Street and the Rockies is that after resting, the problem has returned. Street reportedly felt great after throwing a bullpen session on Monday, and batting practice on Tuesday. That all changed when he started throwing on Wednesday morning. The problem was back, prompting the Rockies to send Street to get an MRI on his shoulder. In all likelihood, the news means that the Rockies will starting the season with their closer on the disabled list. That means that someone from the bullpen is going to have to step into that role. There are several candidates, but none of them look promising. Rafael Betancourt is dealing with shoulder stiffness of his own, Manny Corpas, the club's closer in '07, has been hit hard and showed up to camp out of shape, and Franklin Morales, who stepped into the role late in '09 when Street hit the DL, is suspect at best when it comes to the mental side of finishing a close ball game. Despite their depth at nearly every position, this seems to be their weakest link. If Street is out for any large amount of time, the Rockies are going to have to dig deep and find a way to not rely on a late-inning pitcher to deliver in a role that they are unaccustomed to. For what it is worth, the Rockies should give a shot to reliever Matt Daley. The right-hander was undrafted out of college and had to prove his worth at every level. He had a good rookie campaign, posting a 4.24 ERA in 51 innings pitched. The fact that he has had to fight his way not just into the big leagues, but into every next step in the minors shows that he has a mentality capable of defying the odds. Regardless of who gets the ball in the ninth inning for the Rockies, none will be as dependable as Street, and right now every Rockies fan is holding their breath hoping that the MRI turns out negative. For more on the Rockies visit RockiesReview.com This article is also featured on InDenverTimes.com
Rockies Agree To Extension With Todd Helton The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have come to terms with Todd Helton on a contract that will likely allow the slugger to retire with the Rockies. The agreement, according to the Denver Post, is a two-year extension for $9.9 million, with the $13 million owed to Helton over the final season of his current contract, plus the buyout, deferred over a 10-year period. The two-year extension ensures that Helton will be a Rockie through 2014. The signing is one that perfectly describes who Helton is. "This is where I want to be. I know from talking to a lot of other players, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I know what we have here, and I know that we are really good." The Denver Post quoted as Helton as saying. In a world full of egotistical, selfish professional athletes who care about nothing but themselves, Helton is the antithesis. He sat by as the Rockies not only tore down a team, but changed philosophies. He endured the so-called "Todd and the Toddlers" era as the club marched rookie after rookie to the plate in 2005. Most of all, Helton endured the media and fans complaining that he was the reason that the Rockies could not spend money and that he should be offloaded. It went as far as the Rockies being literally minutes away from shipping him off to the Red Sox before the magical 2007 season, where without Helton, the Rockies would never have come anywhere close to the World Series. What should be noted is that the deal is hardly financially friendly to a player of Helton's caliber. Despite age and back issues, the four time gold glover would have commanded somewhere in the range of $7 million per year on the open market. The fact that Helton is also deferring money also shows his desire to win. He wants to be as little of a burden on the club as possible, which will allow the Rockies to spend on other players that they otherwise might not be able to afford. The questions had begun to arise about whether or not Helton would be a Rockie after the 2011 season. The Rockies owned a $22 million option on the first baseman that almost no one believed the club would pick up. The signing allows the questions to disappear. Helton is to the Rockies what Michael Jordan was to the Bulls. Seeing him in a different uniform would have been awkward. The move allows Helton, the best player in Rockies history, to be the first potential hall of famer to wear their uniform his entire career. For more on the Rockies visit RockiesReview.com This article is also featured on InDenverTimes.com Rockies Set The Tone, Destroy D-Backs In 2009, it took the Rockies nine games before they recorded their first win of the spring. On Thursday, they won their first game of 2010, by a large margin. The Rockies dismantled the host Diamondbacks 11-1. Jason Hammel started on the mound for the Rockies and gave up one run in two innings. The bats were in mid season form. Seth Smith led the way for the Rockies, going 3-for-3 with a home run. He was a triple shy of the cycle before being pulled in the 6th inning. Manny Corpas pitched a scoreless inning, but struggled with command, walking two batters and giving up a hit. Chris Iannetta went 1-for-2 with two RBI's and a walk. While any Rockies fan is happy to see a 11-1 victory, the fact is, spring games, especially early in March, do not generally say much about how the team will perform on the field come April. For example, neither Todd Helton or Jason Giambi will be participating in games for at least a week and a half. The Rockies have a split-squad game on Friday, with half the team traveling to Tempe to take on the Angels, and the other half in Scottsdale to take on the Giants. Ubaldo Jimenez will start against the Angels and Jeff Francis will test his surgically repaired shoulder against an opponent for the first time against the Giants. For more on the Rockies visit RockiesReview.com This article is also featured on InDenverTimes.com A Colorado Rockies Fan's Guide To Spring Training Spring Training for a Colorado Rockies fan represents more than just the end of a long off season. It also offers an opportunity to get away from the cold weather that Colorado offers in February and March. Hi Corbett Field The Rockies have been training at Tucson's Hi Corbett Field since their inception in 1993. This will be the final season in Tucson before the Rockies move to Scottsdale in 2011 where they will share a spring home with the Diamondbacks. The stadium, which is located on Tucson's east side, was previously occupied by the Cleveland Indians, and also the home of the spring training scenes from the Major League movies, starring Charlie Sheen. Hi Corbett Field is the oldest stadium in the Cactus League. It was built in 1937 and named for former senator Hiram Stevens Corbett, who was instrumental in bringing spring training to Tucson. The closer seats are typical stadium seats, but the seats down the outfield lines are bleachers with seat backs, but probably not the most comfortable to sit through a three hour game on. When going to a game at Hi Corbett, do not forget the sunscreen. The whole stadium is drenched in sun and provides little relief for the fans. Parking is free at the stadium, but don't arrive late because it is limited. If you can't score a spot in the parking lot, there is a free shuttle that runs from the nearby El Con Mall. About the Area Hi Corbett Field is just east of Downtown Tucson, located in Gene C. Reid Park, which also houses the city's zoo. It is just up the street from the El Con Mall, which has several stores and restaurants. Because of the park, there are always many people running and exercising along the perimeter of the park. Autograph Seekers Spring Training offers fans something that is nearly impossible to find in the regular season, access to the players. Hi Corbett Field definitely affords fans this opportunity. For fans seeking autographs, the best option is down the right field line. The Rockies dugout is on the first base side, and the team warms up just beyond the infield dirt in right field. If you can't get a spot on the line, make your way around the stands beyond the bleachers. Many players will enter and exit the clubhouse here and will sign autographs for the few fans that realize they have complete access to this area. Get to the game when the gates open (two hours prior to game time) and you should be able to get several autographs. Great Moments at Spring Training If you can plan your trip right, try to go for picture day. This is a great opportunity for a true fan to meet his or her favorite player and snap a picture with him. For about an hour and fifteen minutes, the team members come out and meet and greet with the fans. This is something that the players really seem to enjoy. They take the initiative to greet the fans and really have conversations with them. As a Rockies fan, this ranks as one of my favorite moments in life. If you are a real Rockies fan, do not miss this opportunity. What to Eat At the stadium, the standard options are available. Rockie Dogs are available in two locations, as well as nachos, bratwursts and pretzels all around the park. Don't forget your cash, most of these food stands do not take your plastic. Away from the stadium, do not miss the opportunity to go to a local Mexican restaurant called El Charro Cafe. Opened in 1922, this restaurant is still owned and operated by the same family that opened it. The salsa is phenomenal, but don't fill up on that, these portions would be hard for the best eaters to finish. You can order anything from Carne Asada to their award winning Chimichanga's. No matter what you choose, you cannot go wrong. This restaurant is a true taste of what Mexican food really is. There are also other options close to the stadium. If you like Mongolian BBQ, CL Chu's is an option the offers all you can eat Mongolian food. And what would a trip to Tucson be without a stop at In & Out Burger. There is one at the El Con Mall, two minutes from the stadium. Nightlife If you are into the nightlife scene, Tucson will bring you anything that you are looking for. Also the home of the University of Arizona, Tucson has everything and more that any college town has to offer. Downtown is bustling with activity from Thursday through Saturday nights. Tucson is home to jazz clubs, country clubs, and comedy clubs. Also, Tucson offers many close opportunities to try your luck on the blackjack tables or on the slot machines. There are three casinos either within minutes of Hi Corbett Field. Where to Stay There are several options for places to stay in Tucson that are near the park. The Randolph Park Hotel is located within walking distance of Hi Corbett and has a large swimming pool and jacuzzi to relax in. The rooms are slightly dated, but offer an affordable option for the fan on a budget. Also within a stone's throw of Hi Corbett Field is the Double Tree Hotel, which offers the typical options, and is a nicer option than some of the cheaper chains around town. One Final Fun Aspect Just miles away from Hi Corbett Field is Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. During batting practice and the game, fighter planes and other Air Force planes will be practicing in the skies above the stadium. For more on the Rockies visit RockiesReview.com This article is also featured on InDenverTimes.com Let The Games Begin, Rockies Open Spring On Thursday For Rockies fans, the wait is over...sort of. On Thursday the Rockies open Cactus League play on the road, about five miles down the road, at the spring home of the Diamondbacks, Tucson Electric Park. The most exciting part of Spring Training is when pitchers and catchers report. Then, when the games start. Games are fun because Rockies fans get a taste of actual hitting and pitching, rather than the standard stories about who is in shape and who is not in shape that are common in the early weeks of spring. Spring Training does just enough to whet the appetite of fans and make them long for the end of spring and the beginning of the real baseball season. For the Rockies, Jason Hammel, who had a breakout season in 2009, will start the day on the mound. Most likely he will go two innings, maybe three depending on pitch count. Teams slowly stretch out their starters, so it will not be until late in March when the starters will be on the mound for more than three or four innings. Games are also a good opportunity to get some of the position battles underway. Usually the Rockies have a few of those, but barring injuries, the 25-man roster is pretty much set. Look for Eric Young Jr. to make a push to slip onto the roster. The Rockies are still high on him, but they do not want him to regress by sitting on the bench in the big leagues rather than playing everyday in Colorado Springs. Melvin Mora was signed as a utility player off of the bench, but with Clint Barmes' late season hitting woes, the Rockies are interested in letting Mora prove that he should be the everyday starter at second base. Regardless, the beginning of Spring Training games should give Rockies fans just enough to get them through the final month before the beginning of the real season. Colorado Rockies Need A Healthy Manny Corpas Manny Corpas is a polarizing figure amongst Rockies fans. The right handed reliever has felt just about every emotion a Major League relief pitcher can feel. In his first full season in the big leagues, Corpas took over as the closer for the Rockies after Brian Fuentes stumbled. Corpas did nothing less than notch 19 saves in 20 opportunities, sporting wicked movement on every single pitch that came out of his hand. Without Corpas, the '07 Rockies never sniff the playoffs, let alone the World Series. That offseason, the Rockies rewarded Corpas with a contract worth four years, $8.025 million with two club options. Rockies fans could not have been happier. They had their lights out closer signed for years to come. The only problem was, in 2008 he was anything but light's out. Before April was over, Corpas had blown four saves and Fuentes was switched back into his familiar role. The Panamanian right hander finished a horrific '08 campaign with a 4.52 ERA, more than double his 2.08 the previous season. It was clear that Corpas' confidence was shaken, but it was also clear that Corpas was quite a bit heavier than the previous season. Several reports suggested that the Rockies front office was very disappointed in the right hander for showing up to spring training in poor shape. From all indications, Corpas learned his lesson after the '08 season. He stayed in Denver for the offseason and was in the weight room at Coors Field more than anyone else on the club. He was noticeably skinnier and told reporters that becoming a father in the offseason had shifted his outlook on life and baseball, convincing him to work harder. Throughout the spring, Corpas was in a heated battle with newly acquired Huston Street for the closer role. After a great March, most fans were surprised, and even slightly upset to find out that manager Clint Hurdle had given the job to Street. Regardless of Corpas not being the closer, fans were excited about the return of the '07 Corpas. That Manny Corpas must have missed the plane to Denver. After running his ERA up to 5.88, Corpas was shut down because of elbow pain. An MRI revealed bone spurs in his elbow. After surgery Corpas developed a staph infection in that elbow and ended up never throwing another pitch in the '09 season. Most fans are ready to write Corpas off. They think that his contract caused him to become lazy and that he was a flash in the pan. They think that his contract demotivated him and that he will never be the same pitcher. They also believe that the Rockies bullpen is deep enough to move forward without Corpas. Not so fast. The Rockies bullpen is indeed deep. They have Street set in the ninth inning, and Rafael Betancourt as the eighth inning guy. In June the Rockies should get Taylor Buchholz back and Matt Daley and Matt Belisle for the earlier innings. Fans against Corpas think that he should be the odd man out. If everyone in the 'pen pitches as well as they did in '09, that would be fine. If Street only blows two saves and Betancourt is nearly flawless in the eighth inning, then it makes sense that the Rockies would not need Corpas. The only problem with that line of thinking is that the idea that the Rockies bullpen is going to be just as good in 2010 as it was in 2009. The odds of the back end of the bullpen performing similarly to '09 is slim to none. Betancourt is a year older and the National League has now had a half season to see his pitches. Street will also no longer be a newcomer to the N.L. If one of them fails, there is no one in the Rockies organization that has as much big inning Major League experience as Corpas does. The fact is, the Rockies need Corpas to return to his '07 form. He needs to prove that last season was a struggle because of injury and '08 was because of lack of preparation. Already early in Spring Training both Street and Betancourt have had to take a few days off. Betancourt battled the flu, which caused him to lose 15 lbs, and Street is already experiencing arm issues that are going to keep him off of the mound through the weekend. If Corpas is healthy and in shape, which all reports suggest that he is both, he will be a valuable commodity in the Rockies bullpen in 2010. Fans should not be so quick to think that the Rockies do not need him.
Whose Number Should The Colorado Rockies Retire First? Compared to teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox the Rockies really do not have what anyone would call a storied history. It seems strange to think that the Rockies are entering their 18th season in the big leagues and their 16th season playing at Coors Field. The Rockies are old enough to have fans that have filled out their draft registration at the local post office, and have never seen a summer in which the Rockies were not in existence. In a game with as rich of a history as baseball, the Rockies are still very much a young team. While the history of the club is forming, and perhaps entering its first great chapter, there are still several memories in the past that should not be forgotten. Thomas Harding, the Rockies beat writer for MLB.com, wrote a very thought provoking article about how the Rockies have only retired the number of Jackie Robinson, a number retired by every team in the league. However, there are two numbers that the Rockies do not issue, even though they have not been retired. Larry Walker's no.33 has never been warn since the Canadian right fielder left Colorado. In addition to Walker's number is the late Darryl Kile's no. 57. Kile died in a Chicago hotel room three seasons after being dealt by the Rockies to the Cardinals. Suddenly the Rockies are an established team. 18 years is a long time to be in the league. Is it time for the Rockies to officially honor some of their early great players? The Blake Street Bombers were not a flash in the pan. Stories of 15-14 games at Coors Field will live on for years. By all accounts, those players set the tone for the early part of Colorado Rockies history. Should members of those Rockies clubs see their numbers retired? The obvious choice would be to find room on the outfield wall for Walker's no.33 jersey. After all, he is the club's first and only MVP. In 10 seasons with the Rockies, Walker was the National League batting champion three times. His On base plus slugging percentage never dropped below .898 and was frequently above 1.000, an incredible stat. On four different occasions Walker represented the Rockies in the All-Star game. The choice seems simple. However, the answer is not that easy. After Walker was done playing for the Rockies the club continued to rebuild. The club's newfound philosophy of building from within was in its infancy, which meant that the team was signing re-treads and has been's as stop gaps at nearly every position. The Rockies were consistently losing more than 70 games per season. If there were no bright spots during those long rebuilding days, there would be no doubt that the Rockies should honor Walker by retiring his jersey. The problem is, there was a bright spot. While the Rockies were busy losing games, Todd Helton was busy making the team at least respectable. He was putting up numbers that simply could not be written off simply because he played at Coors Field. After hitting 25 home runs and driving in 97 runs in his rookie season, Helton was denied the Rookie of the Year honors, finishing second to Kerry Wood. In 2000, Helton won the batting title and drove in an incredible 147 runs while hitting 42 home runs and smacking 59 doubles. Helton was an All-Star in five straight seasons. His numbers go on and on, and by no means was Helton simply an offensive player. Helton is a three-time Gold Glove winner and even in his older age still showing up on the highlight shows at least once a week with an incredible play at first base. Because Helton has been so good, because he is the club leader in nearly every offensive category, because he was part of the first Rockies team to win a pennant, and because when he had every opportunity to ask to be dealt to a winner, and yet was patient, and for so many more reasons, no one should ever wear no.17 in purple pinstripes again. Something would not be right if Todd Helton does not receive the honor of being the first Rockie to have his number retired. Until that happens, Larry Walker will have to wait. It does not mean that Walker shouldn't be honored, but his honor should come only after the first truly great Rockie is honored first. For more on the Rockies visit RockiesReview.com
Join Me Tonight on Rockies and MLB with BlogTalkRadio Some of you may know that I am a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance. Tonight at 9 pm Mountain Time I will be co-hosting the second edition of Blog Talk Radio with The Eddie Kranepool Society and Mets blogger Steve Keane. If you want to talk about the Rockies, the Mets, and baseball in general, please call in and give us your thoughts (347) 884-8690. If you want to listen in, please follow the link to Blog Talk Radio. I look forward to hearing from you! Tulsa Drillers Moving Into New Downtown Ballpark
The Colorado Rockies play in one of the most beautiful ballparks in all of baseball. Now their Double-A farm team will have their own beautiful park to call their home.
ONEOK Field is scheduled to host it's first game on April 8th. The future Rockies will no doubt appreciate their home. Check out the video below for a tour. If there was a question about who should throw out the first pitch, the answer should be obvious. Those duties should be performed by a member of the Coolbaugh family. Mike Coolbaugh was the first base coach with the Drillers that was killed when he was hit by a foul ball in the neck back in 2007.
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