6/30/09

As some of you may know I collect Rockies memorabilia. I came across this Jersey a few days ago and I was wondering if anyone has seen one like it before and where it's from.

                                                     

                                                  Thanks for your help...D

6/29/09

                                     Enough death, I'm done with that for a while.

It's official. I hate like hell to admit it but despite my efforts to stave it off, age has silently crept up on me. Yes I'll admit I do look amazing for almost 43, but it's what is behind the skin that's hurting.

Aging is similar to losing your hair. All is good until one day you come in from being outside and the top of your head hurts. You ask someone to check it out and they tell you that you've sunburnt the top of your head.

(<-----Not my bald spot)

You think to yourself.."What, I've never done that before" and go about your business.

Now from that point forward you always burn the top of you're head and as you age the burn gets bigger and take less time in the sun to roast your dome.

So how does balding relate to aging?

In my twenties, I could plan out my day and usually accomplish what I set out to do. No matter how physical or how long it took. I could keep working until the job was done.

Now I plan my day according to what my young mind thinks it can get done and I usually/always come up short. 

You may think you have a decent head of hair but in actuality there is a huge bald spot. You may not be able to see it, but at times you can sure feel it...

Do you feel me?

Anyways, Operation "Rent the House" is almost done and I couldn't be happier.

                                           How bout them Rockies?

            A word that I used back at the beginning of Spring Training comes to mind.

              The Dodgers in LA tonight. Our record this season sucks against the Dodgers.

 I think the Dodgers were playing a against a different Rockies team the last time these two teams met.

We need a sweep. Sweep the Dodgers and people are going to notice.  When you believe anything can happen.

I like when the Rockies are playing above .500. It's a feeling I'm not used to but one I could get used to quick. I watched this team from early on in Spring Training (at times all by myself) getting back to the basics, and working on all the little things that make a team tight. 

 

How cool is it when you can see those little things put in action and producing wins?

I believed, I still believe and I'll keep on believing because I want to be there at the end of the season with the Rockies shoving that World Series trophy in the rest of America's face saying..                

                                              "Whaddya know,...I told you so" If you're a Rockies fan don't hide. Go ahead and enjoy the ride, you freggin deserve it.

                                        Go Rockies, make my day in LA...DGET ONLINE AND VOTE FOR BRAD HAWPE...IT'S YOUR DUTY AS A ROCKIES FAN 

6/25/09

Wow, I can't tell you what kind of person either of these people were in their lifetime because I never had a chance to meet them, but I can tell you they both were bigger than life back in my late teens and twentys.

         When a double whammy hits you like this it makes me think of the fragility of life.     Farrah Fawcett was my first adult crush. I loved Charlie's Angels and was a big fan of Lee Majors her first husband in the 70's when "The Six Million Dollar Man"was on TV.

                     I used to love the episodes that Farrah made guest appearances in.

Michael Jackson was huge for a good part of my adult life. He "WAS" MTV in the 80's and his style influenced everything from music to fashion. 

      Both made a mark on me back in the day and neither will have to suffer anymore.

                                                        Rest in Peace...D

 

6/23/09

If you're a Rockies fan you have all heard it by now. Rockies are getting some national love but it is always followed by some sort of safety statement at the end of the props.

No worries, if you believe in the Rockies then you believe this is more than just a streak. This team is seriously gell'n and I see no signs of that changing.

They look to me like they're taking care of business but having fun doing it. Remind anyone of a particular season?

This time it's not quite mid-way in the season and there are no signs of these Rock Stars slowing their roll. The next couple of months is the test and I believe the team is up to the challenge.

Clint Hurdle and his back to basics fundamentals this season set these wheels in motion, but give Jim Tracy props for taking those shaky wheels and changing the direction of this team for the better.

I know losses are inevitably in our future, but we all know the key to long term success is to win series. One loss out of three is acceptable and the Rockies tend to play well at home. If the Rockies can keep up a decent win ratio for the next few months the wild card race in September could get real interesting. 

Who knows? I have high hopes and think the Rockies will catch up with the Dodgers when it's all said and done. Nothing's impossible.

                              If you're a Rockies fan and you don't believe that then:

Have fun with this streak. Talk a little smack to your friends. Take time out of your day to mess with a Red Sox fan. How often do you get this opportunity?

Do it people, brag to everyone you meet about your team. This turn around is a hell of an accomplishment and you should make everyone you know aware of it.

                                                     COLORADO,

THE TIME TO BRAG IS NOW, BRAGGING SHOWS CONFIDENCE

                                             DO IT... SHOW ME YOURS.

                                    RAISE UP PEOPLE !!

            Ok I've done my part today to introduce the Rockies to the rest of America.

                   Ok, some serious Rockpile Rant props are going out to Brad Hawpe                                          Ian Stewart  and Ryan Spilborghs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm liking the way everyone is playing but these fellas are having an All-Star season worthy of note and your vote.

          A lot of baseball is timing and these guys are turning into great clutch players.    The game against the Angels starts soon. Let's see where the boys are at tonight...D   

6/21/09                       Pirates vs Rockies Game 3

                 Happy Father's Day to all of you who have done the deed.  Dad you once told me the older I get the smarter you get. I understand now.

I hope all you dads enjoyed your special day. I did. My father's day gift was attending the Rockies/Pirates game with my family.

Today was autograph Sunday and the four players assigned signing duties were Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, Yorvit Torrealba and Dexter Fowler.

I opted for Torrealba because of the four he was the one I was still seeking.  Yorvit was cool and signed Mylee and Hunter's bats and my baseball on the sweet spot.                                                            My baseball                                            Thank you Yorvit!

We could have snagged another autograph but the Pirates were taking batting practice and I loves me some sunny BP.

 Hunter and I hurried back to the Pavilion to salvage what was left of BP.

The only real opportunity I had to snag one was shortly after I reached the pavilion. It sailed two feet over my head, bounced and I was slow on the snatch up by a second.

                                Hunter and Mylee were shutout too.

                 

No worries, today was about some much needed sunshine and a Rockies win.

  We were treated to both and it was a fitting ending to a day well spent hanging with my family and friends.

I have to bring attention to a guy who clearly deserves it. One of the unwritten rules of baseball snagging is that if a player tosses up a ball intended for a specific kid and the kid drops that ball. Whoever picks up that ball in all good conscience should give the ball back to the kid.

This fine fellow snatched up and pocketed a ball that a little girl dropped. I don't see that too much at Coors as most BP regulars "Get it".

        Mr. Mustache here clearly does not. So for that thoughtful move he is the winner of The Rant's newest award:

                  DOOZE BAG OF THE DAY

                                  Here's the video of it.

            

                  Congrats buddy, way to make a little girls day J

      I ran into R-Luv/Marianne, her son Joe and husband at batting practice.  They were enjoying the game from the first row today and were able to go onto the field for the autograph session.

So glad you were able to see a Rockies win and it was very cool to see you all again.

                    Thanks for the gift. Best seats in the house.J  We left the Stadium to enjoy cheese steaks for lunch and returned just as the game was starting.  Krista and the kids headed off to the Rockpile and I did my loop of the stadium taking pictures along the way.

                                                   

                      Just doing what I do, somebody has to:)

                                         Credit to this fella, nice hat brotha!

       Jorge De La Rosa not quite on time here but did his part to ensure a Rockies win.                                                              Brad Hawpe      Ryan Spilborghs was on it today. Must be the performance enhancing sunglasses :).                                                            Troy Tulowitzki                                                            Coming home                                                               Ian Stewart                                                       Catcher Paul Phillips                                                       Another one of Jorge.                                         Garrett Atkins covered first base today.                                                                 Got him!                                                          I like this picture.                                Almost a full house today. Lots of daddies around.                                                   Best haircut of the game.                                                       Hottie of the game.                                                                     Tulo                                                     Phillips not quite there.                                                            Dexter Fowler                                  Fowler not even close to being tagged out.                      Seemed like he hurt his knee on this play. Hope he is ok.                                                The Dragonslayer Josh Fogg                 Great game, Rockies win 5-4 and are now 16 of 17. That's flippin amazing.

Thanks for all the kind emails I have received recently. Sorry about the lack of blog entries. It's not just the internet issue. I have to finish a few things before the end of the month and they are priority.

   Glad I could toss this entry your way. Thanks for remembering this Ranter...D

 

6/19/09

Just wanted to let you all know I'm not gone. I have no internet until Tuesday or Wednesday next week. So I apoligize for my lack of entries.

It figures this would happen when the Rockies are on a serious hot streak. Anyways I'm still here, I'll be checking comments as often as I can and I'll be back to blogging full speed by next Wednesday.

                                                     Thanks a bunch...D

11/14/09                                Can you say Tornado siren!

           The real reason we moved to the mountains is tornados don't like it up there.

                          Some crazy sheet going on at Coors Field yesterday.

                               Hunter snagged the first ball of batting practice.  It was a toss up that almost hit me as I was focusing on trying to adjust the Rockies kids hat Hunter received as the promotional gift.  

My hero of late...Mr. Don Baylor. When the Rockies were sucking people were quick to judge this man. Now it is time to give him some props. 

                                              Good Job and thank you DB. 

                                              Vinny with his game face on.                                   Here's video of some of Dan's BP homer snags.

                  

             

               

 I think I'm done with trying to video myself catching baseballs at BP. First off I'm dropping more than I usually do as you can sort of tell in this video:

                

The other reason is I had another experience with an over zealous dad holding my arm to prevent me from catching a ball.

His said that he didn't have to move to catch the ball. But he actually moved at least a foot my direction after I had positioned myself to his left.

 I told him my arm was up in the air and I was clearly not in his "personal space".  

He looked at me like I was from Mars.

Another case of the batting practice newbie testing my "Anger managment skills" :)

My last comments to this chump were "Just remember who grabbed who's arm". I believe this "piece of work" still managed to get the ball. He obviously wanted it more than I did. 

Now he can tell his friends he caught that ball by holding the Rockpile Ranter's arm. Now you know why my free hand will no longer be holding a camera when I'm snaggin.

                                     Here's a shot of Dan almost snaggin one.

              

I have lots pictures and video of this game. I took some cool pictures of JR too. I'll finish this entry this afternoon...D 

6/14/09

I don't know about you but it feels like the seasons are all jacked up and spring was extended an extra month. I'm a sunshine kind of guy and we've had substancially more rain lately than sunshine.

I was at Friday's game with Hunter and Saturdays game with Hunter and Mylee. On Friday I met up with my buddy "B" on the left who was there with one of his friends.     We enjoyed really nice seats behind homeplate but just to the right of the netting :)

Check out this video of the rain as we entered Coors Field Friday. It was insane.             

                  

                                                  

                                     I hate rain but I love these pictures.

Then it stopped, pretty much cleared up and the game started on time Friday. Saturdays game had a 45 minute rain delay and then started.

We were sure there would be batting practice on Saturday as Fridays BP looked like the above. No such luck.

That sucked, our last hope for batting practice will be on Sunday and the odds of that are slim. Two things going in our favor are the weather(it's supposed to be beautiful), and the fact that BP has been cancelled the last two games.

Well I threw it out there that it would take ten wins in a Row before the Rockies got any attention and I guess we'll see what transpires.

This Rockies team is hot. Everything is working. The guys are playing smart baseball and taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented instead of letting them slip through their gloves :)

It's weird but I feel lost in a good way. When I enter the stadium and watch these guys play sometimes I have to pinch myself and realize that this well oiled machine is the same team I was watching at home two weeks ago and now ten wins later we're kicking some AL hiney.

                            This feeling is new to me but I'm digg'n it.

                                     Enjoy the picture show my friends.

                                                 Look at the water on the tarp.

                                                         Chris Iannetta

                                  Hunter after getting Chris Iannetta's autograph.                                                                Tulowitzki              Ubaldo is the master of his own domain right now, the dude is on it.  

                                                           Ian Stewart                                             Hunter with Ian Stewart's autograph.

     WTF kind of mascot is this? I laughed so hard it was difficult to take this picture.

                                                 Kind of phallic if you ask me.

                                                             Mr. Helton                                             Ubaldo's first pitch of the game.                                           I'm still not sure what these signs mean.                                                          Hawpe on first.                             Ubaldo didn't need any help today. It was all his baby.                                                                  Helton My pictures are not as tight as they usually are. I'm not on a computer that has any cropping abilities so the rest of my pictures will be great candidates for Rockpile Ranter's picture blog. I'll be back on my own computer on Tuesday and I'll post the better pictures there.

               Mylee, Hunter and I will be at the game today. It's autograph Sunday.

Rockies have TEN wins America. I guess you heard it here first because you ain't hearing it anywhere else..

                              Go Rockies...Me and a few others are noticing...D

6/11/09                               Eight straight ain't it great

                                                   It's Hammer Time

Finally,... a chance to blog. Rockies win eight in a row and I'm just now writing about it.

I sincerely apoligize for my lack of entries. I'm back up to five days a week at work again and still spending any available time at the other house trying to get it ready to rent.

The Rockies are back at Coors Field tomorrow and I know a bunch of people who are more than ready. We wanna see some of that "Road Trip Magic" at home. I'm not bitch'n but the home crowd has witnessed it's share of losses this season and we wanna personally watch the Rockies play like they've been playing.

I mentioned in my last entry that it was my 300th entry. The Rockpile Rant has had over 107,000 visits since October 2008 and over 1500 comments so far.

Thanks to all of you who read my ramblings about the Rockies and life. I'm digg'n what I do and I can't wait until I'm able roll like I used to roll. Soon folks, very soon.

I'm not really a baseball draft guy. A fella only has so much time to devote to stuff and I tend to start to pay attention to players once they hit AA and AAA. I do wish them all luck though.

I have to give props to the Rockies and to Jim Tracy. The Rockies are looking and acting "Too Legit to Quit".                                                    What was/is the spark?

Does part their success stem from the guilt of contributing to Clint Hurdle being fired?

Is it the fear of what Jim Tracy will do to players who don't perform.

Or is it just out of respect for our new coach and each player wanting to show him they deserve the right to play at Coors?

Now that I think about it it's probably best not to over analyze it. Let's just roll with it. A win is a win and we desperately need them.

Maybe if the Rockies make it to ten in a row the rest of the country might start to take notice. There is a serious lack of recognition for this team and any of it's accomplishments.

I'm a realist, so I can't wait for the day the Rockies win their first World Series because that's what it will take to get some respect. Well that and a few winning seasons :)

                                                        Ian Stewart

This guy is a future superstar and there is more to him than his .229 batting average suggests. Stewart had a lead-off home run in the 4th inning against the Brewers tonight.

 How about Huston Street? The dude already has 12 saves this season. Remember back in Spring training when he was struggling just to get a spot?

                                      Nice job Huston, keep it up brotha. 

 With Huston pulling his weight and Carlos Gonzalez beginning to make a name for himself all of a sudden the Matt Holliday dump doesn't seem so bad.

That's ok with me because if you happened to listen to Matt Holliday on the Jim Rome radio show today you wouldn't have heard Matt say anything nice about Colorado.

Just remember Matt, the fans loved you here. It was you who stopped caring at the end.

               Rockies are 19-18 on the road. Seems odd but I'm not complaining.

                                                Props go out to Aaron Cook.  Cook is now the first pitcher to complete 1,000 career innings in a Rockies uniform. Cook has only allowed two runs in his last 14 innings. Nice job Cookie!

     Rockies have now won eight in a row which ties a team record from you know when.

                      Friday is almost here, and then I'll be there...You know where.

                                                          Go Rockies

                                  Show us why we should never stop believing..D

6/7/09                                       My 300th Entry!

Wow, take a few days off from blogging and the Rockies get their sheet together so to speak. The Rockies are confusing to me. I'm enjoying the ride but I never exactly know where we're going or how long we're staying.

                                      Such is life if you're a Rockies fan.

                                          What is "The Wave" ?

A repeating and periodic disturbance which moves through a medium from one location to another is referred to as a wave.

                              Where did "The Wave" originate?

Depending on who you talk to there are several people who lay claim this honor. The first was a guy named "Krazy" George Henderson who according to some started the first wave at an Oakland A's game in October 1981.

Another of the theories says that the first wave was attempted at a Washington Huskies football game in 1981 by TV personality Robb Weller and Bill Bissell the marching band director.

There are others who claim to have started "The Wave" but it was 1986 World Cup in Mexico that took "The Wave" worldwide.

             It was referred to as "The Mexican Wave" or "La Ola" by the broadcasters.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that it is officially time for Rockies fans to retire our washed up version of "The Wave".

                             Below is an example I filmed of a Coors Field "Wave".

              

Most of 'The Waves" at Coors Field are much worse than that. I think "The Wave" has outlived it's usefulness and now it's just an embarrassment to witness such a wimpy display of wavemenship.

This discouraging display of dexterity could be the reason the Rockies have played poorly at Coors Field this season.

It's not like the players can't see this pathetic performance from their patrons. Maybe witnessing the washed up wave gets inside their heads and messes with their flow.

                               You never know? Hecklers swear by it. 

I say no more. Never again will I let the "just go with the flow" type of mentality entice me to stand up while juggling a camera, brat and my baseball glove.

Next time you're at a game and you begin to "Feel it" and you think you should be the one to stand up and start the wave in your section...

                    Don't, don't do it. Resist that urge to make an fool of yourself.

If you have to stand up and do something, start a chant. Every time you stand up and perform "The Wave" you're waving our chances of a win right out of the stadium.

Let's end this knee jerking nonsense now. Baseball is a very superstitious sport. I think a poorly performed wave sends a message of "I don't care" and I have to believe that all Rockies fans care.

                           I don't want to be part of sending the wrong message.   

    You won't see this Rockies fan taking the risk of spilling his six-dollar drink again.  

                           Let's do the right thing and send the wave to it's grave.             The Wave is not a Coors Field tradition. We need to think of our own tradition.

I say any opposing teams home run ball that is caught or snagged should be tossed not onto the field but into the visiting teams bullpen.

                 Stand up and be heard as you take a seat against the wave :)

                                  Go Rockies, bring that win streak home...D

   

5/31/09                                  Padres vs Rockies Game 3

           Below is Nederland, CO. Proof that hippies and yuppies can live in harmony.

Sorry this entry has taken a while to get to print. The combination of too much stuff to do and sloooow internet has taken it's toll on my baseball creativity.

Once the move is finished and we're settled and the other house is painted and ready to rent, I'll be back to full speed.

                                                          Then look out :)  

There was no batting practice today but it was Rockies Autograph Sunday. Too bad it was the weather was perfect.

     Hunter and I decided to wait in line for Randy Flores as neither of us has his autograph.  Randy was very cool and signed using my pen and on the sweet spot. After Randy signed for us we glanced over at the other three lines and realized there wasn't enough time to get another autograph as they were way too long.

I scoped the area and saw Jim Wright talking and signing over to my right so we headed over there. Jim was great and signed for us both.

                                    Here are the two baseballs I got autographed.

                                      Here are the two Hunter got autographed.

Today we sat behind home plate. Normally I don't care for these seats but other than the annoying netting I was able to take some sweet pictures.

                                          But first here's "Brat with a View"

                                 Here's Jorge and Tulo. Tulo was 1 for 3 with an RBI.                                       Garrett Atkins went 1-4 with a run scored.                                                       Helton working it. Barmes was 1 for 4 for the day. If you click on this picture and expand it you can clearly see the stitching on the baseball.                                            Here's Barmes just after contact.                    Todd Helton was 0-4 today. A rare off day for the big guy this year. Mrs. Colorado was at the game today. She wanted a picture with me but I agreed to do it only if she wore the Ranter hat.  She agreed to do it then backed out. Next time I'll get it in writing. I slipped a Ranter card into her bag :)

  Brad Hawpe went 2 of 4 with a hit and a run scored. Hawpe is having a great season.

                         Yorvit Torrealba went 2 of 4 with an RBI and two strikeouts.                                                This at bat was one of them.

I had to get a shot of Tony Gwynn, you know...with him being partly responsible for our win the day before.

                                                    This one got by him.                        De La Rosa at bat. If you look close the ball is right by his hands.                                           Tulowitzki went 1 for 3 with an RBI.

                                          Best Haircut of the Game

I'm not sure why we dropped the ball this game. Rockies lose game three to the Padres 5-2.

I'm going to blame it on Mrs. Colorado. She must have distracted the fellas with the crown and the pretty smile and all.

                                     RPR's Hagg'n points this game.

1 point- For attending the game.

4 points- For Jim Wright and Randy Flores's autographs.

1 point- For consuming a brat.

                                                         Total = 6 points

                                    Hunter's Hagg'n points this game.

1 point- For attending the game.

4 points- For Jim Wright and Randy Flores's autographs.

1 point- For consuming a brat.

                                                         Total = 6 points 

I'm almost caught up on entries. I have one more to go. The next entry will be the game I attended with Hunter and his buddy Kyle.

                                                Go Rockies, I'm feeling it...D