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What I've missed

1. Whenever I've walked through the mall the last few months, I've always stopped and pondered the "Tulowitzki" No. 2 Rockies jersey at one of the kiosks. Was that an actual player, or just an example of a personalized jersey?

Turns out that's Troy Tulowitzki, the 22-year-old shortstop who's hit 24 homers and knocked in 98 runs this season. And I had no idea who he was. In other words, no, I haven't followed the Rockies this year.

It wasn't always this way. I don't know how many Rockies games I watched in the late '90s, but it was a ton. I followed some pretty horrible teams like crazy.

But a few years ago it became pretty clear to me that the Rockies weren't really trying to win anymore. Management had milked the initial excitement dry, and wasn't interested in risking the money to make the team relevant again. When the team traded Larry Walker in 2004--in other words, when my favorite team got rid of my favorite player--I was actually glad, because he'd have a chance to win before he retired. (Did Bruins fans feel the same way about Ray Borque?)

And whenever anyone tried to get me excited about the Rockies' late-season run the last couple weeks, I just felt like I knew they wouldn't make it. They made it, all right, by forcing a one-game playoff for the playoffs tomorrow night against San Diego. I'm watching that for sure, and probably their whole playoff run. (For discussion below: Are my actions at all excusible, or am I the worst kind of fair-weather fan?)

The Rockies have an 89-73 record, tied for second-best in the National League. They've outscored their opponents this year by a League-best 101 runs. (A few teams in the AL have done better, though.) It sucks that baseball's playoffs so often come down to who's able to line up their pitching, but all things being equal, if the Rockies win tomorrow they're legit World Series contenders.

2. I was travelling Saturday and missed the entire Colorado-Oklahoma game. Obviously, I really wish I would've seen it.

What I wish I'd missed

1. The Broncos' game today against the Colts. Actually, I did skip most of this one. I hate the friggin' Colts, who picked up 226 yards on the ground. (I'm sensing a theme this season.) Actually, many of the stats were pretty even for both teams, except for Cutler v. Manning, which went about as you'd expect. I'm not sure what to do about that.

Comments

John said…
I haven't followed the Rockies, either, largely on the same theory . . . so I don't think you are the worst kind of fair-weather fan. Just last week they were only 1.5 out of the wild card, but there were two other teams ahead of them, so I never thought this would happen. Man, I hope they pull it out.

(Note: I think that's exactly how Bruins fans felt about Ray Bourque - Boston even threw him a parade after the Avs won the Stanley Cup.)

The CU game was incredible. I was worried because Oklahoma kept giving us chances down the stretch, and we weren't capitalizing. But overall it's a big win for Dan Hawkins.

The Broncos aren't looking too sharp right now . . . every year we beat the teams we are supposed to be and lose to the teams we are supposed to lose to. I'd like to see us be competitive once in awhile, but I don't know if we have the quarterback play for it.
8:33 AM
blaine said…
I agree with John on the CU game, I was really worried at the end, after the missed the earlier field goal I thought they should've tried to get a few yards closer before the atempt instead of running draw plays up the middle, but Eberhart came through in the end. I think this win will mark the beginning of a new winning era for Hawkins and the Buffs.

I couldn't be more excited for the Rockies, I've followed them since they became a team. What do you think the chances are of keeping Holliday? I wish he didn't have such a good agent. I'm afraid the Monforts won't be willing to shell out what Scott Boras will be asking for. What are your thoughts on the matter?
11:08 AM
Mike said…
I have no idea what the Rockies are planning to do with Holliday, other than that a deep postseason run would make a huge difference to everyone. If the Rockies lose tonight, I think most of Denver would go back to ignoring the team...but if they, say, make it to a seven-game NLCS, it could really reignite Rockies fervor in the city and put a lot of pressure on ownership to bring the team back. Otherwise, my instincts say he walks, but I haven't followed the negotiations closely.

Scott Boras is a "tough" agent to deal with, which is to say he likes money, but I'm realizing right now how much I hate it when the agent is blamed for a player leaving. (Not that you were saying that, Blaine, but it happens all the time in baseball, or with Drew Rosenhaus in football.) If Holliday wants to stay in Denver, he'll certainly have that option, though he may not feel the price is fair. But it's not like Boras will force himt o leave town. I think most players hire Boras because they want the maximum possible money, though, which makes me worry about how badly Holliday wants to stay.
2:17 PM
blaine said…
Mike,

I like what you said regarding the agent taking the blame for the player leaving and I think it's a good point. Considering how much Boras has been able to get A-Rod I imagine the negotiations will be over 100 million and even if the Rockies win tonight I'm not sure I can see the Monforts paying one player that kind of money. Although, if it came down to it, I would rather see the Rockies make a strong effort to keep Helton, Hawpe, and Tulo even if it meant they would lose Holliday.
2:28 PM
David said…
the broncos.
there are some good things going on, but more bad.

henry looks good, everything else = bad.

i'm calling this season a wash.
12:29 AM
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