August 2010
Not yet…But Soon You Can Bet
8/27/10 Dodgers vs Rockies Game One
Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 5 mph, Out to CF.
T: 3:19.
Att: 41,964.
Dodgers
(66-62)
Rockies
(66-60)
It’s been a while since I’ve been to a game or at least if feels that way. I had tickets but had to miss Tuesday and Wednesday’s games due to an injury. I really hate that.
I discovered something called sciatica. Not fun stuff especially if you enjoy having feeling in your legs.
Because of this, I’ll have to change my snagg’n game plan, at least until I’m back to 100%. Instead of being able to run and chase baseballs, I’ll have to use my superior tracking skills to be a little more choosy on the batting practice snags I attempt.
Such is life I guess…Gett’n old sucks.
Today I got lucky and snagged the first one of BP within a minute of entering the pavilion. It was a fairly easy catch, the only hiccup was manuevering between the seats to get to the rail in time.
I gave that ball to a young Rockies fan who was nearby. I can always use karma points :).
Shortly after my handoff, Rant Regular Ken snagged a Tulowitzki BP homer.
Here’s video of it shot by Dan
I believe Ken’s total for the day was two, nice job.
Mike is back from his big East Coast baseball trip.
He mentioned he took a thousand pictures including some of “interesting fans” along the way..
Here’s a few of Mike’s pictures…PNC Park
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Starting pitcher today is Ubaldo Jiminez aka known as“Nasty Fasty” here on the Rant...
Here’s Nasty Fasty doing the Pre-Game Walk of Shame
(If you listen closely, you’ll hear me tell Ubaldo he has nothing to be ashamed about)
I couldn’t tell if Franklin was staring me down or posing?
Rant favorite Eric Young Jr.
Here’s Tulowitzki playing his ”I have a ball and you don’t game” with the fans.
Today’s game had a movie theme. I really got a kick out of these.
Here are a few random game pictures.
Nice to see Helton can still Belt’em.
Todd hits his 5th homerun of the season in the second inning with two out.
Good Job Ubaldo !
Blake’s grand slam in the 8th really killed the whole mood.
The Dodgers have owned the Rockies the last couple of years.
I was really hoping the Rockies would pull this one off for Ubaldo. I wanted to be able to say I was at the game where Ubaldo achieved his 18th win.
But not this time.
Rockies lose to the Dodgers at Coors field with a final score of 6-2.
The hunt for Ubaldo’s 18th win continues…Where will it happen?
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter,
and I wanna see Nasty do it here at Coors.
Tulo Goes Off Man and Mylee meets Hoffman
RANT REGULARS: First let me apologize for taking so long to get this entry posted. I’ve had it half done for a week now but with school starting and a super busy schedule real life takes over and sometimes you just have to get other stuff done.
So without further ado I present…
8/15/10 Rockies vs Brewers Game Three
It’s been a while since my two little ones and I attended a game together. Today was an afternoon Sunday game, a bit hot but no chance of rain. We were ready for a day of family fun at Coors Field.
Here’s two more kids, but I don’t have to feed these two. 
First thing I noticed was his bike, but the hair thing he’s got going on is interesting too.
Here’s Hunter and Mylee going through the tunnel onto the field. Soon I’ll get bored of shooting video of this but until then sorry… 
Guess who was at today’s game?..Both R-LUV and LUVMYROX..It was nice to see them.
This series is tied. The Rockies opted not to take batting practice on the field today so after a short wait the Brewers started taking hits.
The kids and I wanted to get autographs today but with BP going on we changed our minds and stayed in the pavilion. I managed to snag two balls today.
Neither of them were caught so the first ball I gave to Mylee. The second ball was hit into the tunnel so after I snagged it I handed it to a little girl who was leaning over the railing.
As batting practice was ending I noticed Trevor Hoffman standing over in the corner of the outfield about to sign for someone so I suggested Mylee take her ball and go over there.
It was worth it…Here’s what she brought back. Hoffman’s a nice guy.
Here are your Rockies pre-game.
Hunter worked his way down to the front and was able to get Jeff Francis’s autograph.
When Hunter returned I noticed Jeff was still signing so I worked my way down and managed to get an autograph for Mylee too.
Eric Young Jr stopped and signed too.
Melvin Mora
Jason Hammel
For some reason there was a herd of cows mingling in the infield?
Here are the Dancing Cows gett’n their groove on.
Here’s video of the dancing cow throwing out the first pitch. I see where I rank now.
x x
Starting pitcher…Nasty Fasty….Ubaldo Jiminez
With the game tied in bottom of the ninth and Dexter Fowler on second base Troy Tulowitzki steps up to to the plate.
It was in the air, the day after a loss, the game on the line, the crowd on their feet. Tulo does it again.
With perfect Tulowitzki timing he hits a line drive over Rickie Weeks head (good cause Rickie’s had the Rockies number the last two games), scoring Dexter Fowler and winning the game and the series.
Here’s the video…Tulo’s Walk-Off Single
Props to Ubaldo for ten strikeouts in eight innings. Nice Job brotha!
Here’s the video..Ubaldo Strikes Out Ten
I love exiting Coors Field after a win. Tough series, perfect win on a perfect evening.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter…Next up…Rush at Red Rocks.
The Videos Were Fun..Here the Number One
8/14/10
As much hype as I tried to put into the “Pitch Your Team” video contest other than two video entries it was kind of a bust.
As I’ve mentioned before, I haven’t given up and I will promote and hold this video contest next year. If for nothing else it motivates me to create my own Rockies video.
A while back when Dan and Emily submitted their video and Dan told me it wasn’t really an entry but more of an example of what to do. To get the ball rolling so to speak.
So Marianne’s video takes first place and Dan and Emily take second. I really want to thank you both for taking the time to do this for the Rockpile Rant.
I really do appreciate your Rockies loyalty. I guess in a perfect world I was hoping for an entry from each team.
First Place goes to R-Luv’s Video.
Second Place Video. It’s from Dan Sauvageau and his daughter Emily.
For fun I made a video too, mine is called “I Got a Feel’n”
Here is what R-Luv and Emily have won.
First Prize
Huston Street Autographed Baseball and Mini Bat
Second Place
Autographed Eric Young Jr. Mini Bat
Better start thinking about next year. I’ll have bigger and better prizes. Thanks for playing and showing your team support…
Go Rockies…”D” The Rockpile Ranter
Crazy Fun as Tulo Hits One One
8/13/10 Brewers vs Rockies Game One
Attending the game with me today was Brad. This was his first Rockies batting practice and his first game this season.
Going through the tunnel and entering Coors at field level.
Best hair.
Brad and Robert waiting for the Brewers to start hitting.
I was shutout but Brad had a good day. He managed to straight up catch one (gave it away to a kid), then wrestled Robert for his second snag.
Here are your Rockies warming-up.
Seth Smith was awarded the Heart Hustle thing.
This is my second picture this season of Stewart spitting. Ian, stop spitting when I take your picture brotha.
Looks like he’s trying to tag Tulo.
Here are some game shots. I added a few extra Brewers pics as I always do for my friend and fellow blogger The Happy Youngster.
There was a creepy mustache theme going on today.
Interesting T-Shirts
Miss Something?
Smile, you get paid to watch baseball.
Here’s Matt Belisle taking over for Jorge De La Rosa.
This game was starting to seem like another one of those Rockies losses where the Rockies just seem uninterested.
That was until the bottom of the 8th inning .
Tulo steps up to the plate and launches his 11th homerun of the season into left field scoring three. Ryan Braun came damn close to catching that ball at the wall.
Huston Street is money in the ninth and the
Rockies take game one of this three game series.
Rockies 5….Brewers 4
Welcome Back Tulo, we need you bad brotha.
My next entry is will be tomorrow when I’ll present to you the winner of the….
Rockpile Rant’s Pitch Your Team Video Contest…D
Not You Too “Q”
8/12/10
NEW YORK – Former major league infielder Omar Quintanilla has been suspended 50 games for using a performance-enhancing substance.
The 29-year-old Quintanilla, a 2000 graduate of Socorro High School, was playing in the Colorado Rockies’ organization at Class A Tri-City of the Northwest League. He was hitting .252 with one home run and 15 RBIs.
Quintanilla was penalized Wednesday during the minor league drug program.
Quintanilla played parts of the last five seasons in the majors with the Rockies. He hit .220 with two home runs and 32 RBIs in 216 games.
The Rockies issued a statement saying they were disappointed to learn Quintanilla had been suspended.
The above story is from the Associated Press.
When I think of “Q” the first thing that always comes to my mind is heart. Despite his size the dude can play ball. “Q” was the first baseball player to autograph anything for me.
It was a simple autograph on my ticket stub but the interaction and the experience was the spark that got me back into baseball.
I write this entry with a heavy heart. Omar Quintinilla may not be a household name but I seriously looked up to this guy (so to speak). This news is crushing to me.
To tell the truth I didn’t give a sheet about Barry Bonds..I’m not a Giants Fan.
Didn’t care about Manny Ramirez…I’m not a Dodgers fan.
I haven’t been personally affected by anyone whose taken ”performance enhancing drugs” until now. If I had to make a list of ten ballplayers who I was absolutely sure never ever use steriods, Omar would be on that list.
Hunter and I would watch Omar play and I would always say something to him like…
“See buddy, it’s talent not size”, or something along those lines”. I always cheered for “Q”. He has no idea but I was probably one of his biggest fans. All because of one cool interaction with him four years ago.
Steriods wreck everything.
The “juice” hurts more than the individual player and his reputation, it chips away at the heart of baseball, it’s loyal fans.
Steriods hit home this time and it hit hard.
Once again I find myself questioning the people I’ve put on a pedistol…(aka Vinny Castilla).
I can’t bash Omar because he’s always been a classy dude the times we’ve talked.
But if he reads this I just want him to know that this news rocked my world in a really bad way.
Get it together Omar…The Rockpile Rant is all about second chances so please brotha give me something good to write about.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I don’t dig steriods.
I’m all about keep’n it real.
UPDATE-LUVMYROX sent me a link to this article from Troy Renck
NEW YORK — Omar Quintanilla, a well-respected player in the Rockies’ organization for years, released a statement today to The Denver Post, apologizing for his suspension. He was disciplined 50 games Wednesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
He has spent the entire season in Triple-A battling through injuries. He was a valuable bech player for the Rockies last year, providing solid defense at a variety of positions.
Here is Quintanilla’s statement in full:
“I would like to apologize to my family, teammates, the Colorado Rockies Organization and their fans for recently testing positive for a performance enhancing product. I recently purchased this product over the counter at GNC and it was my understanding that after looking at the label, it did not contain any banned substances. I’ve always taken great pride in my nutrition, my training, my preparation and dedication to the sport that has given me so much.
I realize just how fortunate I am to be playing professional baseball and would never intentionally do anything to jeopardize that or disrespect the game. “
Told you he was a classy guy. Thank’s LUVMYROX…D
Giants can’t Hit…Rockies get the Split
8/4/10 Giants vs Rockies Game Two
This game was my first day game of the season. Day games are difficult for me to attend because I’m usually working. However today’s day game happened to fall on my day off so Giant Todd and I (not being square)had no excuse but to be there.
I made it in time for batting practice and Giant Todd showed up just before the game started. The Rockies didn’t take outdoor batting practice today so it was just the Giants out in the sunshine taking swings.
I managed to snag one ball at today. It was a homer that I realized was heading for the tunnel so I was the first to duck in there and snagged the ball as it was bouncing around the cement walls.
About the time Robert realized where the ball was heading he looked over and I was already there. He didn’t like that and let me know it. I thought it was funny.
Check out Mustache Giambi and Spilborghs 
Normally I poke fun of guys in skirts. But guys in skirts sport’n axes I have no beef with.
Here’s Ubaldo doing what I call the “Pre-Game Walk of Shame”.
(It’s not really a Walk of Shame, but they sure make it seem like it.)
Today I was feeling lucky so I took a chance and stayed close to the field where the Rockies warm up. When Cargo was finished his routine he walked over and was kind enough to autograph my baseball on the sweet spot.
Thanks Cargo ! 
Official Plate washer? Is this cosidered a service industry job? 
This dude not only had a cool shirt he had something moving on his right sleeve.
Grasshoppers were everywhere..
I call this picture Hopper watching Hawper
Get it?
Starting catcher Chris Iannetta sharing some sharpie luv.
Then as quick as he arrived he was gone.
There was color everywhere.
The game was beginning to start so Giant Todd and I headed over to our seats over in the Rockpile. As we were beginning to sit I looked down at Robert and Dan and it looked as if they were trying to tell us something.
We finally figured out they were trying to let GT and I know there were two seats in the front row of the pavilion we could use.
When we got down there Dan took my camera and I donned my glove.
From this point forward all the pictures in this entry were taken by Dan
I believe Dan was helping me free up my hands in the hopes of snagg’n a homerun ball so he took the pictures for most of the game.
His eye is a bit different than mine and it was really cool checking out the action pictures he took with my camera.
Here’s a shot of us all in our seats. 
Had a homerun been hit anywhere close to us I believe Dan may have backed off a bit and maybe let me go for it. I can tell you 100% for sure, even though Robert has snagged 50ish game homerun balls, he and I would have battled for it…That’s Robert.
I’ve mentioned this to Robert before and a few other people. Whether Robert realizes it or not I’m eventually his replacment
We both have VW busses, beards and the hair. We’re both super competitive when it comes to ballhawking. We both chug around cameras searching for the perfect action picture.
Shoot, even my middle name is Robert.
Think about it?
The game today had a totally different feel. Rockies fans have a bit of a swagger on a day we know Ubaldo’s on top of that sand.
The opportunity to swagger is new to Rockies fans so excuse us as we get used to it and don’t get mad if we bump into you.
I believe before the start of this game Ubaldo had previously won eleven games this season pitching the day after a Rockies loss so that tidbit of information had me feeling confident.
With Helton on first up comes Rockies current “King of Swing” Carlos Gonzalez. 
See Ya! 
Mora comes up but then goes down…Scary 
Messing around with Robert’s camera. 
Chill’n
x
For Rockies fans this game was sweet justice for the loss the day before. Rockies split this mini two game series with a 6-1 win over the Giants.
After the game Giant Todd wasn’t hanging around for the celebration so Mike and I headed over to the Post Game show to cheer with the rest of the Rockies fans.
Tom of FSN told the crowd he wasn’t allowed to jump up on the ledge anymore so he took off out of his seat and came running around the corner and started Hi-5ing everyone in the crowd.
When I got home Joy had posted these pictures of Mike and I. These pictures are actual shots of her TV.
Thank you Joy !
Props to Dan for taking some sweet pictures and giving Giant Todd and I the opportunity to hang out with y’all in the first row.
No game homerun catch for me this time. The said baseball pursuit continues…
My next entry is for Goose Gossage Day in Colorado Springs..Look for it soon.
I’ll also announce the winner for the Rockpile Rant’s “Pitch Your Team” Video Contest.
Go Rockies…D
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Everyone Scored at the Rush Time Machine Tour
Everyone Scored at the Rush Time Machine Tour
8/16/10
I had purchased tickets to see Rush play at Red Rocks a few years back and I had to sell them last minute due to a unexpected family vacation. That show at Red Rocks would have been my first time enjoying the Canadian trio live.
I’m a member of the Rush Fan Club so I had the opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets a few days before the general public and I jumped on it.
It was completely overcast and drizzling all day and I figured it would rain at some point during the evening.
Brad and I arrived about two hours before the concert started, prepared to do a little tail gat’n.
Set up like a street corner show a few vehicles down from us was a bare bones Rush cover band. These thoughtful musicians were pumping out Rush tunes and entertaining folks as they walked by.
Here they are jamm’n out Tom Sawyer. Brad and I both agreed the dudes should have had a tip hat out.
While these dudes were spitt’n out the Rush tunes the clouds broke and a rainbow formed. It was at that point I knew everything was gonna be just fine
Here’s another video of the parking lot trio..At least they can say they Rocked the Rocks at Red Rocks right?
What do you do when your the only guy in a suit at a Rush show and you’re too embarassed to stand in line at the Port-O-Pottie?
I call this set of pictures:
“Bald Guy In a Suit at Rush Concert Look’n For A Place To Pee”
H,mmm nobody over here. 
Nobody over there.
I think I’ll take a wander over here.
This’ll do, to hell with lines.
Me with a camera and some time to kill can be a dangerous thing. Besides who wears a suit to a Rush concert?
Here’s the first couple of pictures I took once we reached our seats.
See the big screen in the back. Well it flicked on and we started to watch the video below.. At first I wasn’t sure what it was but then I realized this video was the intro to the show.
The characters in the video are the guys from Rush, keep watching as it gets better as it gets going.
All was great until the big screen flickered off and stayed off. You can see it at the end of the video.
At first we thought it was part of the show, but after several minutes the crowd began to get restless and Rush creeped out on stage and began the show without the big screen.
No worries it came back on after the second song.
Here for you is a mixture of pictures and video.
The launching of the “Official Rush Beach Ball” (I always wanted to do this).
“Closer to the Heart”
Here’s only part of Neil’s drum solo and this video is over five minutes long.
Here’s another video for you.
Then with a kind goodbye my evening with Rush was over. Worth every Canadian penny.
I’ve had these Rush tickets for months, but in reality I’ve waited my whole life to see this trio.
Funny how my three favorite bands are all three piece bands.
1. Rush
2. ZZ Top
3. Kings X.
Mock me if you will, but I likes what I likes. I’ve seen ZZ Top and Rush now at Red Rocks but as much as I dig King’s X, they probably couldn’t fill Red Rocks anymore…Who knows?
Anyways, props to Brad for catching this show with me and thanks to you for tagg’n along. Better go wash your shirt now because after an evening at Red Rocks your ears hurt and you’re smell’n like “OttoMan”.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I do more than baseball.
Ten to Zero…Looking For a Hero
8/3/10 Giants vs Rockies Game One
Giant Todd and I had been looking forward to this game for a long time. It’s not often he and I get to attend a game together and we were ready to have a good time and enjoy some live baseball.
Jersey Geoff got back with me and sent those pictures of his autographed Ubaldo Jiminez All-Star Jersey. This jersey is beyond sweet.
Geoff uses washable marker on his jerseys so he can sport ‘em at home games.
Batting practice for me was a bust but Todd managed to snag one. He gave it to a kid.
Robert and Queen Geri
Captain Earthman hitting warp speed.
Giant Todd enjoying watching the Giants own the Rockies at Coors Field.
I started to feel a little Coors Field magic when Big Todd came up to bat.
Bases loaded, this was Helton’s chance for a huge comeback grand slam.
Strike three. It seemed the whole game was full of blown opportunities and the Coors Field magic I was feeling turned out to be just gas. 
I’m not sure what this lady was smiling about but I assure you I wasn’t smiling as I exited Coors Field.
On a cool note Douglas D snagg’d a third out toss up from Carlos Gonzalez.
Around the 8th inning a lady named Kim(I think) from Canada walked by, tapped me on the shoulder and asked if she could take a picture of my jersey.
I believe her reason for wanting a picture of my jersey was something to do with a Rockpile group in Canada that she’s a member of…If I’m wrong Kim leave me a comment.
I mentioned that I too grew up in Canada so Kim decided to join Giant Todd and I for a chat.
Very nice lady.
Towards the end I just wanted the Rockies to score one run to avoid the shutout. But they didn’t.
Giant Todd and his boys owned Coors Field from start to finish.
Tomorrow’s another day and Ubaldo’s king here at Coors Field.
Rockies…Show me heros not zeros….”D”
Way To Go Cargo!
8/1/10
Here’s the Wikipedia definition of “Hitting for the cycle”
In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a natural cycle.
Carlos Gonzalez joins Dante Bichette, Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Neifi Perez and Mike Lansing as the sixth Rockies player to hit for the cycle.
The best part was Cargo did it with style hitting a game winning walkoff home run.
The last player to hit for the cycle at Coors Field was Troy Tulowitzki on August 10, 2009 against the Cubs. Funny, Gorzelanny was the starting pitcher for both games.
Here’s a link to my entry from that Cubs series a year ago:
Pinella throws a fit, talks sh-it and that’s it.
That entry is the day before Tulo hits for the cycle and it’s the game where Lou Pinella gets tossed.
Click here to watch another piece of Rockies history:—->Cargo’s cycle
Matt who?
Rock-on Cargo, you’re on fire brotha, and your timing couldn’t be better..D
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