Remember the days after a Rockies win? The huge crowds of fans gathered in front of the ROOT SPORTS desk, chanting, cheering, and just plain happy to be there. Everyone waiting for Tom Helmer to do his post-game thing.

I along with a lot of other Rockies fans miss that display of Rockie luv. Rockies wins for me haven’t been the same since Tom Helmer stopped getting the post-game fans pumped by jumping up on that desk.

With Joel Klatt heading west, there couldn’t be a better time to “Bring Back the Homeboy”.

Helmer is as fan friendly as they come, knows and loves Rockies baseball,  and I can’t think of a person who could better represent a company who is “About the Fan”, than to hire back one of the best in the business who himself is a huge fan.

Best of all,  Helmer comes with his own hardcore Rockies fan base.

I’m “D” the Ranter…And Helmer is ”Our Homeboy” and we want him back.

Plus,…I’m down for some more…“Tom on the Town”

Yankees vs Rockies Game 1

Weather: 64 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, In from RF.
T: 2:47.
Attendance: 41,595

Rain…Lots of rain.

I didn’t feel like I had great pictures for this game so I was going to skip this particular blog entry. However this was a Rockies win, the only one of the series and the only one in a while. Plus how often are the Skankees in town?

Although I was shut-out for BP again…. I felt like BP was as it should be. Baseballs flying everywhere and folks I know catch’n ’em. I was witness to the Rox Addict snagg’n his first two of the season while surrounded by Yankee fans gloves.

Best thing about BP is it wasn’t raining…Yet.

I watched Jersey Geoff spring into action and snag Mariano Rivera’s autograph while in left field.

I was also witness to the end result of an overly eager ball hawk that decided it was a good idea to crowd Jersey Geoff. A BP ground rule double bounced off the warning track then off of a glove and tagged that eager ball hawk right in the eye. (He’s OK).

Folks, that’s how you keep an eye out for the ball

With Joe Girardi (Skankees Manager and the Rockies first catcher) in town it was time for a group pic. Four old Rockies pretty much the same age as me. Prize for best hair hands down goes to Vinny Castilla.

Think these fellas have a few stories to tell?

I hung out with the Rox Addict most of this game, sitting just under the second level along the first baseline taking pictures and trying keep my camera dry.

It started raining early on and never stopped. Here’s my buddy “Big B” and his lady center picture toughing it out in the pavilion.

Remember this guy? Chris Nelson a Yankee!…Oh well at least he’ll get to play there.

Anyone else think Ichiro’s eyebrows look tattooed on? This dude is still one helluva player despite the botched make-up.

Quote from Walt Weiss about Jorge: “Jorge gave up three singles — that’s a big-time performance,” Weiss said. “It’s nice to see one of our starters go out there and pitch like he did. If we get good starting pitching like we have for the most part this year, we’re going to win games.”

LOL

As per usual, weather became an issue.

Cargo blasts a homer to center field and scores Rutledge…2-0 Rockies.

Quote from Cargo: “I won’t lie — I was a little angry the whole game,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve been playing in a lot of bad weather, in a lot of bad situations, but we’ve still got to go out there and do our best.”

Well played Cargo!

I’m “D” the Ranter and give a lil props to the Rockies as this was their first shutout win at Coors Field since a 6-0 victory over the Cubs last Sept. 26.

I’ll be sitting front row of the pavilion May 16-18 for the Giants series here at Coors Field with my only goal being catching a game homer. See you there…”D”

That’ll Wreck Ya

You’re looking at the MLBlogs Colorado Rockies Blogging Trifecta.

Left to Right, Mike the Rox Addict, D the Ranter, and Amy the Blake Street Babe.

Damn cool Blog names but even cooler people.

Photo by Kyle Banister

If you’re looking for the Batting Practice report, cool pictures and play by play from the game or if you’re wondering what the autograph scene is like at Coors Field.

This Powerhouse of local Rockies MLBloggers has got you covered.

With no love here from the local Media or Rockies affiliate we have to promote ourselves. We don’t get paid we Blog because we love the Colorado Rockies and we use our blogs as an online diary detailing the game experience to share with other baseball fans.

Unlike Joel Klatt, we’re loyal and we know a little something about Rockies baseball.

I’m “D” the Ranter…Do yourself a favor and give some luv to your local Rockies Bloggers, nobody else will.

Let’s Bring Back Helmer too!

Rays vs Rockies Game 1

This would be my first game since the EY Bobble head game. Whole lotta props to my baseball buddies that weathered those snow games. I’m not a fair weather or cold weather fan, I’m a warm weather fan and I had my own snow issues to deal with up in Black Hawk.

Before blogging and before taking pictures my favorite thing about MLB baseball is batting practice. I love me some good BP. For some reason that ain’t happening this year. Usually by a month into the season I’ve at least snagged my first ball.

I didn’t take my usual 4 mg of pictures today. A blast from the past kinked my groove during BP and that put a damper on the rest of my evening.  I’m not a fan of aggressive ball hawks and I feel like in the pavilion there’s a good group of fellas that know how to respect personal space during batting practice. Every now and then we bump into each other, but because we know each other we know it’s unintentional.

There’s nothing worse than an overly eager ball hawk coming up in your space on a quest for a meaningless BP ball.

 Ball Hawking Etiquette… Don’t touch or invade the space of other ball hawks and pay attention to your surroundings. By entering someone’s space chasing a BP ball, you risk injuring yourself and the other person trying to catch the ball which could result in one of you taking a missile to the face.

Remember in the end it’s just a f’kn BP ball YO!

I watched older gentlemen getting hauled away on a stretcher from the game tonight after taking a foul ball to the face. It happens, it’s never pretty and this Ranter has no plans of leaving Coors Field by that particular mode of transportation.

FYI…If you come within a foot(what I consider a reasonable personal space) of me chasing a ball and push, bump or touch me in the pursuit a ball, I take that as a sign of aggression and that’s when I temporarily forget I’m there to chase baseballs.

I realize that one-sided chat with this dude is inevitable; I just wanted to give a little history on the matter before I’m standing in front of a judge…Or maybe the guy will read this, realize he’s the “overly aggressive ball hawk” in question and stop being a Dick…Nuff said on that.

BP was a bust today, I did have play on a ground rule double but it bounced wildly off the outfield wall and I totally blew it. Other than that, zero BP homers were hit in my direction.

IMO… BP is not what it used to be, that my friends is sad.

Back in the day I used to like Jeff Francis, he grew up in Canada just like me.

Now I find the only thing I like about Jeff Francis is his walk-up song….Rush-Tom Sawyer…That’s sad as well.

Why is the only guy from Canada wearing a jacket while on first base?

Things that make you say “Hmmm”. I’m thinking of a 5 letter word that starts with “P”.

Francis allowed four runs and five hits in five innings.

Quote from the Canadian Sizzlean: “I felt like if I’d made some better pitches, we could have been ahead and won this game,” Francis said. “I missed with a couple of pitches and it cost me some runs.”

Really Jeff?  I dreamt I was a millionaire and woke up broke.

See anybody you know in the background?

Now that’s a nice set of horns

Cuddy blasting a home run into the fountain.

The Cargo serious look.

It always amazes me how many dudes drop the ball, it’s not that hard Dan caught one with his glove behind his back.

Dexter had to leave the game early with an injured hip flexor. EY JR took his place.

This collision is where Dex hurt his hip.

Rockies let this one advance to 10 innings and Matt Belisle blows it.

Rockies lose Game 1 to the Rays…7-4

I’m “D” the Ranter…C’mon Rockies I got a lil fight in me, where’s yours?

One more thing, everyone on the planet knows you can save 15% on your car insurance by switching to Geico. Do they have to fly a plane with a banner over the stadium every game? That stupid plane is so damn noisy it’s like a mosquito with a bullhorn…Seriously we know about the 15% and we’ve known for years…”D”

D-Backs vs Rockies Game 3

The first bobble head game of the season and it’s a good one. You’d be hard pressed to find a Rockies fan who doesn’t love Eric Young.

EY has a place in Rockies franchise history that will last forever. Young hit the first Rockies home run at Mile High Stadium back in 1993.

What’s cool about that is EY wasn’t exactly known as a home run hitter.

Today was autograph Sunday as well. I was on the field and the only player to stop by my little area was Adam Ottavino. I didn’t have any pictures of Adam as of yet so he autographed a baseball for me.

Nice guy!

This is my friend Marianne aka R-Luv. She’s an original Rantic and it’s been a while since I’ve run into her at game. Good to see you R-Luv!!

The weather today was not too bad. Definitely not warm, but a long sleeve shirt or light jacket was plenty.

Eric Young was present on his bobble head day. His youngest son threw out the first pitch to his older brother Eric Young Jr. I think the world of both EY’s and for me this reunion was just fun to watch. Eric Young and Eric Young Jr. are both fan friendly and about as humble as they come.

Nice pitch from the lil guy known as “The Mayor”.

This was Game 3 of a series in which the Rockies won the first two.

Juan Nicasio starting pitcher.

I love following foul and home runs baseballs into the crowd. Peoples expressions are priceless.

Didn’t run into the Rox Addict all game, but did find him doing his thing when I was cropping a picture.

Ever wonder who the Jackass is who starts “The Wave” when the Rockies are batting? It’s this guy below, if you see him you have my permission to smack him in the head.

My favorite alien!

This is Dan’s friend Brian catching Tulo’s homer on the bounce.

Congrats brotha, you’ve just experienced what I’ve yet to.

D-Backs come from behind in the 9th, score two runs and the Rockies lose this one 5-4 but take the Series.

I’m “D” the Ranter…8 more bobble heads to go.

Back in 2011 I was sitting in the pavilion with my friend Marianne and my boy Hunter watching a Rockies/Dodgers game. A few feet behind us was a drunk Rockies fan who was endlessly heckling Tony Gywnn Jr.

I shot some video and posted it because I was impressed with the way Tony handled himself plus I was laughing so hard I was almost crying. By the end of this game we had all had enough of the heckler (who sounded like Gilbert Godfried), screaming in our ears.

Here’s a link to the blog entry I wrote about it…Tony Takes the Abuse…Then Lets Loose.

Yesterday my YouTube account came to life with non-stop emails and comments on this video. This video has received over 314,000 hits so far.

Someone posted my video on Reddit

Go figure? Anyways, here’s the video:

Click HERE to read write-up of the game almost two years ago.

The article mentions how Tony made the game ending catch off of Charlie Blackmon. I remember that catch, it was impressive. What was even more impressive is after he caught the ball he turned around, smiled, tipped his cap to the heckler and strutted off the field. The write-up even mentions the heckler..Very cool!

It seems almost every sports blog and funny video website in the country has picked up this video. I saw the video on the MLB fan cave and in Yahoo Canada EH!

What kind of sucks is not one of them mentions the guy who filmed it or my blog the Rockpile Rant.

I’m “D” the Ranter…Stay away from me Yo!.. I’m Viral

4-7-11

Padres vs Rockies Game 3…Opening Weekend, Coors Field

It was Hunter and I today and I have to tell you, it’s pretty sweet walking into Coors Field for game 3 with the series won already. My goal today was to catch my first BP homer of the season and get David Nied to sign my poster of him I’ve had tucked away for years.

Here’s a shot of David in 1993.

Nied was the first pick for the expansion Colorado Rockies in the 1992 Major League Baseball expansion draft. Nied started in the first ever game for the Rockies, taking the loss against the New York Mets. He also pitched a number of other firsts for the Rockies, including first strikeout, first walk, first complete game, and first complete game shutout.

Nied compiled a 5-9 win-loss record in 1993 and went 9-7 in 1994 but won no more games in the next two years, playing sparingly. In 1996 he was granted free agency and joined the Cincinnati Reds organization. Nied retired from baseball at 28 after an arm injury. He now sells equipment for his father’s company. He is engaged to Heather Cranford, a former contestant on the TV show The Bachelor.

Batting Practice

For the second game in a row I was shut-out. However, Hunter’s learned if you can’t quite catch-em, positioning and being polite will win you the race. He snagged two baseballs today. Hunter probably could catch one, but his dad’s not ready to let him yet…Maybe next year.

Sorry, scares the shit out of me thinking about him just missing one and getting hit.

The Rockies had the elder Rockies from 1993 lined up along the first and third base lines signing autographs. By the time I figured out which line David Nied was in the line was almost up to the concourse. No matter, we made it in time and David signed my poster “Nied for Speed” when I asked him to.

Thank you David!

This baseball game was just fun to watch. Within a few minutes of the start of the game I had my first broken bat picture from Baby Bull Rosario.

 His bat still in hand, and the broken piece and ball in the picture…Perfect!

Baby Bull is left holding a shank.

Sorry Jon

This is how not to catch a baseball.

JP showing exactly how to catch a ball, with style and some vertical leap.

JP just short of a bullseye.

Chacin the Machine…Job well done!

Baby Bull’s hits a homer scoring Fowler and Cargo.

That ball’s history.

Bull’s homer as it enters the pavilion crowd.

This guy is special Yo!

Rockie Luv!

Rockies destroy the Padres..Final Score 9-1

I’m ”D” the Ranter…Opening day weekend is a rap and a sweep.

Opening Day at Coors Field.

Let’s just say it’s been a long winter and if you live in Colorado, …it ain’t over yet.

Colorado does Opening Day right. Right in the fact that you don’t need a ticket to the game to enjoy the festivities, just show up early ready to party. The weather was 70 degrees and perfect for April baseball.

The day started out with Douglas’s breakfast at the 20th St Cafe as it has for the last few Opening Days. In attendance were, Jersey Geoff, Mike the Rox Addict…

Fran and Robert.

Our host Douglas, Hunter and yours truly. On an extremely cool note, I only eat at the 20th St. Cafe once or twice a year and the waitress remembered what my breakfast order was.

That’s impressive!

Once we were full it was time to wander. Although there were a lot of folks hang’n around Coors Field, this OD seemed a bit mellower than ones I’ve attended in the past. Still there was lots going on.

Hunter and I stopped by and checked out my favorite local Artist Kyle Banister. Kyle had a primo spot for his art and was working on the Rockies 20th Anniversary logo in liquid chalk.

Here’s Kyle Banister, Laura Rector, Eric Matelski working hard.

Here it is finished… WOW!!

Kyle’s work always pops out at you. His link is on my sidebar.

Stilt Man out harassing some lady trying to read a book?

Hunter and I met up with long time Rockies employee and Rant follower Missy. 15 years with the Rockies right Missy?

As we walked by the 850 KOA booth I noticed Goose Gossage and David Nied getting interviewed by Mike Rosin.

 I have Goose’s autograph already but I was carrying a poster I wanted the “Nied for Speed” David Nied to sign. We waited around for a bit, but I figured I’d have better luck inside on Sunday acquiring Nied’s autograph.

Batting practice was taking place and as Hunter and I entered the pavilion a hit baseball had just rolled up to the wall. Matt Belisle picked it up, looked up and saw Hunter standing there and tossed it to him. Within a minute of entering the stadium Hunter had the first BP ball of the regular season.

Hunter managed to snag one more and his old man came up empty for Opening Day.

Before BP ended I met up with my a friend and co-worker Kevin and his daughter Sam. This was their first Opening day at Coors and you could tell they were happy to be there just soaking everything in.

Seemed like there were fewer balloons this year?

Ceremonial first pitch.

Gonna be a fun season seeing these guys around, it feels like old times.

I like the fact that Dante has the boys hitt’n good so far.

Props to Cargo for staying healthy last year…Another Gold Glove!

Damn that thing is shiny!

This set of conjoined twins is known as the Hellowitzki.

First pitch of the game.

 Cargo showing you why he got the shiny glove.

WTF?

Look far left in the front row you can see Jersey Geoff in the mix.

This Canadian earned his bacon today.

Dex seconds before a home run blast to right field.

Dex’s home run ball just before it lands.

Dex gett’n some luv from the dugout. You can see John Elway and Dick Monfort above the dugout.

Wait a minute, the entire stadium is celebrating Dex’s home run and Elway is Texting?

Sorry John..I’m a huge fan but today you are the:

“Dude texting with TV seats” fan of the game.

Props to your girl though, she knows what time it is

Watch your back “Baby Bull”!

Rockies beat the Padres in their Home Opener…5-2

Folks that’s three in row. The best the Rockies did last season was three in a row.

I’m extremely impressed with the Rockies pitching and hitting so far.

This team is loaded with talent, the question is: Is this the year we stay healthy and a new set of “Blake Street Bad-Asses” is born?

I’m ”D” the Bad Ass Ranter….We need some attitude to go along with this altitude.

I love reading anything baseball. A while back I received an email from a fellow named Nicholas asking if I would review this book about American Presidents and baseball. I agreed hoping it was a short book as I don’t have a whole lot of free time right now with the regular baseball season getting ready to start.

The book is 11 pages which is right up my alley.

DID YOU KNOW?

William Howard Taft was the first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. He did it on April 14th to usher in the 1910 baseball season.

That President George Bush Sr. was a Boston Red Sox fan who later flipped and became a Houston Astros fan? The senior Bush was also the Captain of his Yale Baseball team.

Here’s another one, did you know that when President Roosevelt threw an inaugural pitch, someone was always on hand to prevent him from toppling over.

This little book is filled with  tid-bits of information like that.

About the book.

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball,” wrote Jacques Barzun, the late French-born historian of American culture. Barzun might have added that any U.S. politician with his eye on the White House had better know the difference between a ball and a strike. Since baseball became the National Pastime it has enjoyed a favored relationship with the seats of power—in Congress and even in the Supreme Court, but certainly with the chief executive.

The venerable sportswriter Ray Robinson surveys the presidential attitude toward the “best game” since the early twentieth century, separating the enthusiasts from the pretenders.

A little bit about the Author Ray Robinson.

Ray Robinson, a former magazine editor, is the author of the widely acclaimed biography Iron Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time as
well as biographies of Knute Rockne, Christy Mathewson, Will Rogers, and Stan Musial. His writings appear frequently in the New York Times. He lives in New York City.

Where can I purchase this book?

http://www.nowandthenreader.com/

Also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and I-Tunes.

I’m “D” the Ranter…Is it first pitch yet?

Rockies vs White Sox..Camelback Ranch

Last day in Arizona.

This was my first time visiting the Ranch(home to the Dodgers and White Sox). As far as spring training facilities go this one is a real gem. It’s beautifully laid out with little ponds and walkways everywhere.

We were there on a Monday and the back fields were almost deserted.

I wandered around, enjoying the early morning sun, reflecting on the past few days and thinking about life in general. How many spring training facilities can you get enough peace and quiet to actually relax and ponder shit?

While I was “Zone’n” I noticed some players gathering in the outfield of one of the practice fields. I watched as one of the coaches started hitting pop-flys right up against the outfield wall and players were jumping trying to catch them and keep ‘em from going over the fence. I hurried over to where the balls were going over the fence and I noticed it  was just me there. For a few short minutes it was yours truely catching the baseballs that the minor league players couldn’t snag. Eventually folks saw me having the time of my life and decided to join.

All in all probably 25 baseballs were hit out.

As soon as that drill was finished the minor leaguers started their batting practice. Sitt’n with seven baseballs already I was having a great day.  BP was a bit more crowded but I manged to catch one on the bounce and one on the fly preventing a bystander from getting hit in the face with a home run ball.

Dude didn’t even say thank you….Dick

Folks, this place is special even if it is enemy territory.

Today wound up being not only a good day for baseballs but it was a great day for autographs.

I managed to get Todd Helton to sign my baseball, Eric Young Jr to sign a picture, and Skipper Walt Weiss signed my 1993 photo ball of him.

Plus, Dante signed a baseball card the Rox Addict hooked me up with.

Check out this motley autograph Crue..Left to Right, James, Eric, and Mike the Rox Addict.

James is the guy who made the “Helmer is my Homeboy” T-Shirts. Maybe it’s time for some Ranter shirts?

Anyone interested?

I don’t have many of these…Here’s Tulo smiling.

The Rockies lose this one to the White Sox. Matter of fact, the Rockies lost every game we saw them play the week we were in Arizona except for when they played the USA WBC team.

I have no idea what we’re in for this season as far as the Rockies go.

I’m ”D” the Ranter…I’d like to thank the Rox Addict for splitt’n the costs and being good company.

It was fun, but this year’s trip is done. 20 days till the first home game at Coors Field!

See you there…“D”