Results tagged ‘ Aaron Cook ’
Five to Zero…Look’n for a Hero
8-2-11
PHILLIES VS ROCKIES GAME TWO
Notice the temperature? July was a record breaking month in Colorado as far as the heat goes but today was overcast and drizzling at times. The cooler weather was a nice change.
Here are your Starting Lineups
Even with the drizzle the cages were up and BP was roll’n. I kind of felt like a ball magnet today as I had a lot of play during BP. I was hoping that would work to my advantage during the game as I had a front row pavilion seat today.
(I’m Still buck’n for that first Game Homer)…Thanks Mister Ticket Mister 
.
I’ll spare you the suspense…It didn’t happen.
The first two BP balls I snagged were toss-ups from Phillies players that were bobbled by Phillies fans. I made sure those two balls found homes with Rockies fans. My next snag was a ground rule double that hit fast and bounced off of my glove. A few quick steps later and I scooped up my own bobble.
I didn’t want BP to end without actually catching one. There was a break in the clouds and the baseball gods shined briefly enough for me to catch one on the fly from an unknown Phillies player shortly before the players left the field. Props to Mike the Rox Addict for snagging a ground rule double ball that tipped off my glove while surrounded by Phillies fans eager for that ball.
I believe Amy snagged four balls and Jersey Geoff , Dan and Ken had a few nice snags too.
Here are your Rockies warming up.
Chris Iannetta flashing me the Ranter sign.
The only Rockies player that I saw walk up to the wall and sign was Mark Ellis.
Props to you Mark, shame on the rest of you.
Guess “The Duece” has been teaching classes on how to avoid signing autographs.
Other than catching baseballs my second favorite thing to do at the ballpark is take action pictures. However there was a severe lack of action from the Rockies so here are a few Phillies pictures.
I feel ya EY.
I don’t get the Rockies. If I didn’t have so much fun hang’n with my friends at Coors Field I doubt I attend many more games this season.
The Coors Field late innings two out magic is all but dead. This game was uneventful, unexciting, unfulfilling and unfun.
WTF happened?
Keep ignoring your fans Rockies and nothing good will come of it.
I also want to wish Ubaldo Jiminez the best of luck with the Indians. Nasty Fasty was a class act and was the nicest most approachable Rockies player I have ever met. I’m not happy with the decision to Trade Ubaldo or the manner in which it was executed, but we all knew the Rockies were do to make a pitching blunder of some sort.
At least he can’t come back and haunt us in the American League? unless…Nah
I’m the Ranter…I’m thinking I picked the right season to back off the baseball games a bit and work hard on my Mobile Blogging Unit…AKA
VANNY CASTILLA
I need to get him ready for Broncos Tailgating and Spring Training 2012. 
I see the light, let’s hope I’m right.
2/15/11
I normally don’t make predictions about how I think the Rockies season will turn out because I don’t want to jinx anything. This is my fourth season blogging about the Rockies and they have yet to win a World Series so I figure a little speculating can’t hurt right?
With the buzz of the new spring training facility and general good vibes it’s creating, good thing are going to happen this year.
Plus it’ll be fun to check back at the end of the season after we win the World Series and see how accurate I was.
Rockpile Ranter’s 2011 Rockies Predictions…
First off the Rockies finally break the road curse and become the team to beat on the road winning ten more road games in 2011 than in 2010. This is in part due to the Rockies strength in the bullpen this season.
Ubaldo Jiminez had 19 wins in 2010
In 2011 Ubaldo will dominate the National League with 22 wins.
In 2010 Jason Hammel had 10 wins
In 2011 Jason Hammel will step it up a bit with 12 wins.
In 2010 Aaron Cook had 6 wins.
In 2011 Aaron Cook will improve locking in 8 wins.
In 2010 Jhoulys Chacin had 9 wins.
In 2011 Jhoulys Chacin will continue to make his mark with 12 wins.
Troy Tulowitzki will have his best season to date.
In 2010 Tulo had 27 homeruns, 95 RBI and 11 stolen bases
In 2011 Tulo will hit 36 homeruns, 107 RBI and will steal 18 bases.
Carlos Gonzalez will also have his best season to date.
In 2010 Cargo had 34 homeruns, 117 RBI and 26 stolen bases.
In 2011 Cargo will hit 35 homeruns, 120 RBI and will steal 28 bases.
In 2010 Dexter Fowler had 6 homeruns and 36 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
In 2011 Dexter busts out with an incredible 21 homeruns 65 RBI and 25 stolen bases.
THE ROCKIES
2010 season win/loss record was 83-79
2011 season win/loss record will be 94-6
Which means..
This time Jim Tracy’s Rockies are all business.
Rockies take the World Series in five games.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I can see the f’kn light.
2011 is the Rockies year… Rantics do you feel me?
Don’t Mind If I Do, I Think I’ll Take Two
4/3/10
When I woke up Saturday morning I was still amped from yesterday’s baseball experience.
Game two of the Rockies vs the Mariners was today at noon and Isotopes Park was opening two hours early.
One of the things you learn when you attend Rockies batting practices(or most teams for that matter), is that when the previous game was an evening game and the next game is an early one, it’s rare for the batting cages to be out on the field. Usually In this case the players take batting practice inside.
Every now and then the planets align and you get treated to a early BP following an evening game.
Being that I’m nobody special the planets didn’t align for me and the playing field was empty. That’s ok, that gave me the opportunity to take some pictures and work on snagg’n some autographs.
After I scoped out the park it seemed the place to be for getting autographs was leaning against the rails along the tunnel that leads into the innards of the stadium.
I had arrived early enough to secure a decent spot and I can tell you being tall and having long arms really helps in situations like this.
As I waited leaning on the railing I watched Brad Hawpe and Todd Helton walk in and out of the tunnel several times barely looking up and never stopping to sign. Moments later I stood there and witnessed Tulowitzki do the same thing.
Jason Giambi walked out of the tunnel.
Then he stopped and signed for one lucky kid.
I refuse to pass judgement on what I witnessed because it’s early on in the season and as I’ve mentioned before the best time to get autographs is the early part of spring training.
Also I’ve seen those same guys stop and sign many times. Most of getting autographs is luck and it boils down to being a the right place on the right day at the right time.
But as always…. “I Calls ’em as I sees ‘em”
The first player kind enough to stop and autograph a baseball for me was Tommy Everidge.
Tommy plays first base for the Mariners.
This is Orbit the Isotopes mascot…. A real gender bender here as nobody knows what the hell he/she/it is.
Classy as always EY Jr stopped to sign for the fans.
I finally was able to get Aaron Cook to sign my Rockies magazine. It’s the one where he’s wearing an apron grilling.
Clint Barmes making the rounds.
I mentioned to Clint at Rockies Fest I’d be at the game in Albuquerque and when he saw me he looked up, smiled and said “Hey”.
Jeff Francis was being really cool and stayed and signed for everyone. 
Don Bayler signed for everyone as well.
Ryan Spilborghs signed my Rockies magazine for me. 
Left handed pitcher Greg Smith.
Chris Iannetta was kind enough to sign my Rockies magazine.
Ichiro Suzuki out warming up.
I didn’t take near as many pictures as I usually do today.
Jack and Kim enjoying the warm weather.
It was fun to relax with the wife and Jack and Kim and just watch the game.
Here’s a couple though.
By the 5th inning the Rockies were up 3-0 and Jason Giambi comes up to bat.
Giambi launches a solo homer into the batter’s eye in center field. It lands about midway up in the brush.
Here’s a link to Giambi’s hit:–—> Jason Giambi’s homer in the 5th inning.
I think to myself…”Wow…there’s a Giambi homer just sitting there untouched” and I continue to watch the game.
In the 6th inning Brad Eldred blasts a homer into the batter’s eye and it lands almost exactly where Giambi’s homer did but rolled a few feet below it.
Here’s a link to Eldred’s hit: ——> Brad Eldred’s homer in the 6th inning.
I think to myself…”Holy crap, now there are two Rockies home run balls sitting in there untouched”.
From that moment forward with the Rockies comfortably in the lead the game was over for me. I found myself staring at the batter’s eye thinking about those two baseballs. I was talking to my buddy Jack and mentioned the baseballs and the fact that they were just sitting there untouched.
I realized at that point that I couldn’t leave Isotopes stadium without those two home run baseballs in my possession.
Jack and I got up and walked over to the batter’s eye and started to scope it out from all angles. We decided there were three possible ways into that pot of gold.
The first one would require me running along the front of the outfield in gravel with total exposure from the front.
The second would require me hopping a railing and dropping down into the batter’s eye. This one had good cover but a harder escape as a climb back up was involved.
The railing I would have to hop over and drop down from was to the right of Jack pictured here with hottie Marge Simpson.
The third possible way into the batter’s eye would be to come in from the left as the batter sees it. That required two fence hops in and two fence hops out and had a little more visibility than I was comfortable with.
Here’s another view of the batter’s eye and the good sized crowd sitting on the berm.
Isotopes park has amusment rides for kids, I thought that was a nice touch.
Remember Rockies fan favorite former D-Back Eric Byrnes? He’s a Mariner now…Boooo
Really good attendance for both days. Remember this is a AAA stadium.
Here’s everything I was able to get autographed today.
Anyways, I decided that hopping the fence next to Marge Simpson was the best way to go. My plan was to wait till the exact moment the game ended and make my move.
Krista had my camera so she was able to capture video of me snagging both game home run balls.
COWABUNGA DUDE…What a rush!
I was in and out of there in less than a minute and as far as I can tell I was smooth like butter because I strutted out of Isotopes Park with both of those baeballs in my possession.
Here are the two home run balls retreived from the batter’s eye just as the game finished with a Rockies win 10-4 over the Mariners.
Giambi’s is on the left, Eldred’s is on the right.
I was the featured story on one of my favorite baseball websites, MYGAMEBALLS.COM
CLICK HERE to read the article written by Alan Schuster.
All I can say is had I not taken the chance and grabbed those two game homers it would have grinded on me for the rest of my life.
I’m afraid that with a haul like this I may have set the bar for my own personal season a bit high.
Do it and make damn sure your having fun while you’re doing it.
D..The Rockpile Ranter
I need a rest after Rockies Fest
1/23/10
Rockies Fest 2010.
This would be the second time this special Rockies season ticket holder event has taken place and the second time we’ve been there. The weather was expected to be in the mid-40′s today and for January in Colorado I’ll take that.
Below are two things that don’t mix.
Let me tell you though I did have to fight of the urge to run out there lay my a-ss on the field and start pumping out snow angels
Mylee didn’t make Rockies Fest today because she’s been sick for almost a week.
Let me tell you my little girl was extremely sad she couldn’t go so we promised to get her Rockies mini-bat signed for her. We did just that thanks to Huston Street. I chatted with a lot of people yesterday and everyone agreed Street has one of the nicest autographs in baseball today.
Hunter and I had a little time to kill before our the “Pitcher and Catcher interviews” so we toured the Press Box.
While inside we each took our photo ops.
Me in that chair, high above with the killer view of the field. I tell ya it felt like I was home.
I must have been sitting in “The Cowboy’s” chair because it was broke in real good.
As we killed more time and wandered the Club levels of Coors Field we walked up on a huge bin of baseballs.
I was half expecting Zack Hample to pop out of them so when he didn’t I asked someone what this was.
I was informed that object was to guess the number of balls in the cage and it you could only enter if you were 15 or younger.
Lets just say the prizes were a baseball collector’s dream.
I took a few moments and filled out entries for Hunter and Mylee as did every parent with kids I’m sure.
While we were standing there fixated on the autographed bats I bumped into Joy aka LUVMYROX who was there with her family. I believe they also were killing time waiting for their Outfielder interviews to begin.
A few minutes and a hundred feet later I ran into Marianne aka R-Luv who was also exploring the festivities with her family.
Funny thing and I hope I get this all correct. Joy and Marianne have known each other for years through the Rockies forums. During Rockies games they comment back and forth with each other on the forum but up until today had never physically met.
When I met up with Dan today he mentioned that the two of them finally met each other here at the Rockies Fest.
Ladies I’m sorry I missed that photo opportunity. Congratulations how appropriate that you met at Rockies Fest as you both are HUGE fans….Too Cool.
It was time for us to head up to the Pitcher/Catcher interviews. This took place up in Club level. The MC’s hosting this Q N A were Alana Rizzo (my favorite FSN employee), and that other guy Drew Goodman.
For some reason my hands started to shake every time I tried to take a picture of Alana. The above picture was the clearest of the bunch.
Here’s a shot of most of your Rockies pitchers and catchers for the upcoming 2010 Season.
Let me break it down a little better. Below is Chris Iannetta and Matt Daley.
Taylor Buchholz, Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Huston Street
Randy Flores, Greg Smith and Miguel Olivo
Last but not least Jason Hammel and Matt Belisle
Most of the questions they asked were a bit regular side. However,I did manage to get video of Jeff Francis when he was asked about his arm and his return.
Here’s the video:
So I guess he’s back. I wish him the best. We need the Canadian.
After the interview session it was autograph time. Our first session was Huston Street and first base coach Glenallen Hill.
As I approached Huston Street I said “Hi I’m Don I write the Rockpile Rant” and I asked him if he was going to continue his MLBlog. Street replied ”Yeah, I’d like to”.
You heard it here first.
Then I moved onto Glenallen Hill. As he was signing my mini-bat Hill asked me “What do you do with all those autographs?” I started laughing and said” Mr. Hill you asked me the same exact question a year ago at spring training.”
Hill looked at me and said “You know I don’t ask everyone that question”.
I’m not sure what he meant by that but he was smiling when he said it so I’ll take it as a positive.
Two down and we had time to burn again. As we walked by the Jeff Francis/Rich Dauer autograph session we noticed the line was short. I asked if we could just go through as it was the tail end of this session and the extremely cool Usher let us.
That totally made my day because I just happend to have with me my 2007 Sports Illustrated magazine with Jeff Francis on the cover. Hunter went into the room first and right away Jeff asked him what his name was.
Then Jeff wrote “For Hunter” on the picture and autographed it.
Very classy Jeff….Thank you.
I handed Jeff my magazine and he looked left at the Usher standing beside him and said “See told you, here’s the first one”. Again I was like WTF? But I think Jeff was making note that every time he autographs for fans someone hands him one of those Sports Illustrated issues.
Least I hope he wasn’t making fun of me..We’re both from Canada?
Rich Dauer signed a picture for Hunter and a mini-bat for me and then we were outta there.
We headed downstairs and while wandering around an Usher asked if we would like Eric Young Jr’s autograph. Without hesitation I said “Yes Sir” and within a few minutes we were standing in front of EY Jr.
Here he is signing Hunters baseball.
EY Jr signing my mini-bat.
EY Jr really seemed like he was having a good time. Keep’n it real, I like that.
When we walked out of there directly across from us was the long line for Don Baylor and Randy Flores. I felt a big smile growing because I’ve never managed to get Don Baylor’s autograph before. It’s not that he wouldn’t sign, just really bad timing on my part.
Today Don Baylor signed an Inaugural Year Rockies Magazine with his picture on it for me.
When I handed him the magazine I said ”Mr. Baylor you haven’t changed a bit”, He looked up at me and said smiling “Yeah right”. Then he autographed it for me.
Here’s Don Baylor autographing Hunter’s baseball.
Here’s Randy Flores autographing Hunter’s baseball.
Hunter and I hurried upstairs so we could catch the tail end of Matt Belisle’s autograph session..
These plates may not be fine china but I’m sure their worth more than the plates I eat off of.
These beauties are a couple of the bat-shovels used to break ground on the Rockies/D-Backs new Spring Training Facility east of Scottsdale last year.
I just wanted to show how the MLB labels game used items. Specifically ones from big games.
Notice how they misspelled Tulowitzki’s last name on the first helmet.
You can see me Tulo and Coors Field in this picture.
This is a special helmet made just for Charlie Hayes who suffered a broken jaw. 
This is the unsigned original artwork used to make the Coors Field Inaugural year opening day ticket.
The World Famous Colorado Rockies Humidor.
Indoor batting cages.
Hunter with a lean mean Don Baylor. 
My Inaugural year Rockies magazine with Don Baylor’s fresh autograph on it.
My 2007 Sports Illustrated with Jeff Francis on the cover with a fresh Jeff Francis autograph on it.
My mini-bats In order…Glenallen Hill, Eric Young Jr, Huston Street, Rich Dauer, Randy Flores, and Clint Barmes.
Here’s all of it minus the hampster and Hunter’s stuff.
Here’s a shot of Ryan Spilborghs on his way to his next session.
Just as Hunter and I were leaving Club level heading home we ran into Robert.
Best hat of the day.
Hunter making his mark just like his pops.
The Rockpile Ranter blessing Coors Field for the upcoming season.(I can legally do that).
It was great to see all of you again. Dan, thank you once again for this special opportunity.
This is the year folks. The chemistry between this group of fellas feels right. We’ve had a taste of the post-season twice in recent years and we can’t go backwards right?
It starts with believing. I believe, Hunter believes, everybody I ran into at Rockies Fest believes.
I’m D The Rockpile Ranter and I believe I’m finished with this entry.
Crazy fun as the Rockies make that run
8/25/09
Just wanted to update everyone and let you know that Naomi is not lost or missing anymore. She may not want to be found but she is not missing at this point. Props to her mother for some fine detective work(thank you).
I want to personally thank everyone who helped me this week and thank those of you who sent well wishes. This kind of thing is a parent’s worst nightmare and I appreciate all the support.
I love this community and the help I’ve received has been extremely touching. I’m not thrilled with where she’s calling home but at least I have closure. Krista, Hunter, Mylee and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts…D The Rockpile Ranter
8/25/09 Dodgers vs Rockies Game 1
For those of you who were worried about the rain and stayed home missing this epic Rockies game let me just say you Fu*ked up.
Last night Coors field was buzzing like a giant size orgasmatron which in the end left the Dodgers feeling wet and unfulfilled
I was first through the Rockpile gate today.
As much as I like Zack Hample there was no way he was getting inside my Pavilion before I was. That actually paid off for me. As I decended the pavilion stairs Aaron Cook was picking a baseball up from the outfield fence and I said “Hey Aaron” and held up my glove. I normally don’t ask but I was the first one there and it was just me and Aaron.
Aaron looked up and tossed me that ball…Thank you Aaron. His toss was a bit short and rolled underneath the bleachers all the way to the front of row two. I was the only one in that section so I casually walked down the bleachers to the bottom and picked it up. When I looked up standing in front of me was Zack Hample “The King of Snag” as I’ve labeled him.
Batting practice was all about fun today. I actually had some play on a bunch of homers that I thought were out of my reach. I bobbled one of them, chased several more and came up short. Twice during BP I missed a toss up form Seth Smith who I swear was trying to toss right to me. Sorry Seth my bad, I do appreciate it.
Dan and Zack
At one point I took out my camera and was going to try to shoot some video of Zack snagging a homer but as soon as I “whipped it out”…. I was tracking another baseball in my area.
I let it hit the bleacher in front of me and it bounced back into my row. I wasn’t going to dive for it because I had my camera in my hand. As I reached down to possess it another Rockies fan got all up in my space and snatched it up.
I believe I mentioned something like “Dude if you want it that bad you can have it”. At that point my entire mission for the rest of BP was to deny that pr-ick another baseball.
It worked, the last homer of batting practice was caught by yours truly while that dude watched helplessly.
That baseball said “Dodgertown” on it and I walked over and gave it to Joy’s (aka LUVMYROX) son.
Today I witnessed another unnecessary batting practice injury. A guy was standing up against the rail in row two talking to his buddies. He had no idea it was heading right for him and it clocked him above the temple.
All I can say is it’s a good thing he didn’t see it or he would have tensed up and probably got killed.
Scary stuff people.
PLEASE PAY ATTENION AT BATTING PRACTICE, BASEBALLS CAN BE DEADLY.
Guess who came up from AAA Sky Sox today?
Eric Young Jr. got his first hit today, here’s a picture of it. He made it to first safely and later tried to steal second.
Here is the picture I got of EY Jr’s first steal attempt. As you can tell he didn’t make it.
Here’s my picture show for this game.
Making sure home is clean.
A shot of Queen Geri.
Atkins and Hawpe
Dan did something really cool.
He caught Clint Barmes’s home run ball, nice job brotha!
Here’s the hefty fella who runs across the field in-between innings. This guy is quite popular.
This picture is for Queen Geri.
Manny wasn’t well received at Coors when he stepped to the plate.
He seemed frustrated. Maybe the negativity got to him?
Matt Murton and Seth Smith
Eric Young Jr. Leaping for a ball. This dude is going to be fun to watch mature.
The basball in the picture is actually Dan’s he just doesn’t know it at this point.
Carlos Gonzalez
This dude is quick.
Dan wasn’t the only guy to do something cool. Tulo did too.
He won the game for the Rockies in the 10th inning. It was perfect.
I like this series of pictures, I’m glad I got to see it in person. My favorite in the first picture is EY Jr. It’s his first game and “What a finish!”.
Crazy fun time today all around.
With each new win it feels like I’m watching Rockies history being made. Come to think of it…I am.
Zack Hample..Have a safe trip home brotha.
Go Rockies, all is good in my world it’s time to show the world …D
Giants stand tall as the Rockies fall
8/21/09
GIANTS VS ROCKIES GAME 1
Today game was the official debut of the “New Ranter Hat”. If you follow this blog you know that the Rockies gave away 15,000 floppy hats similar to mine a few weeks back.
No worries it was time to change things up a little bit.
My friend Pete and I arrived at the Rockpile gate and were one of the first few through the gates.
We were to meet Scott and Stuart inside after batting practice. The Rockies decided not to take advantage of the beautiful weather and let the Giants take over the field.
In hindsight, they Rockies probably should have taken the opportunity and “Been on the Green”.
Today I ran into Kylie the infamous “Blake Street Blogger. I knew she would be attending this game and it wasn’t hard to spot her right up front in the Pavilion.
It was obvious that she was excited to be at Coors Field because she was beaming.
Welcome to Colorado Kylie, and your new home away from home Coors Field
I knew Joy (aka LUVMYROX) would be at this game too. I spotted her to my left taking pictures.
Below is the picture Joy took of me taking a picture her taking a picture of me. Thanks Joy :)
Here’s a shot of Pete in the outfield. This was Pete’s first batting practice.
There were a decent amount of BP homers hit into the pavilion today. One of the Giants peppered the pavilion with 5 or 6 homers in one at bat.
I managed to snag one ball today. It hit the bleachers in between a group of people and rolled down three rows right to me.
It was a perfect baseball and it was Kylie’s.
I ran into Geoff, he had the good seats today and he was showing off his snag of the day.
A Shea Stadium ball. You never know what’s going to land in your glove in BP,…. I like that.
Here’s a shot of Timmy. This dude is tiny yet still rocks it…amazing.
Here are a few of the Rockies.
Daily sporting a “Dora the Explorer” backpack,..too funny.
Here’s a shot of my friend Stuart standing in the Rockpile. I was on the concourse behind first base.
Here’s Stuart and Pete enjoying a view and a beverage.
This guy asked if he could take our picture. I said sure if I could take his.
Aaron Cook on the mound. Not one of Cookies best performances tonight.
By the end of the first inning Cook had given up three runs.
Cook’s shoulder started to hurt and Tracy pulled him after walking Nate Schierholtz to open the fourth.
Giants tower over the Rockies with a final score of 6-3.
Props to Seth Smith for his 10th homer of the season in the 8th.
This loss hurt, I can hear my friend Todd (the guy have the Rockies/Giants season long bet with) in the distance. He is laughing at me and he sounds like Nelson from the Simpsons.
Rockies I can’t have that. I need a win tonight and so do you.
I have the best readers and I appreciate every one of you…D
Holy Schit, the Rockies are Too Legit to Quit
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
Feeling Fine Here’s a Rockies Rhyme
3/8/09
New pictures have been posted at: Rockpile Ranter’s Picture Blog
Here’s a random screenshot from the MLBLogs home page that I liked:
I’ve got the best news, I’m going to a four day work week with Wed, Sat and Sun off. Now I can make the Wednesday Rockies games. I’m so freggin happy I felt like writing a Rockies poem.
He is my favorite player, the Rockie they call Helton.
If you’ve seen him hit it’s no sheet he can really belt-em.
He hurt his back and got off track but I know what I’ve seen.
He’s hitting well and time will tell what it means to this team.
Ive taken a lot or razzing about the Rockies current state.
They say you have few wins, I say just you wait.
It’s all a part of the master plan I tell them with a grin.
Here me say come opening day Rockies finish with a win.
Cook’s in town and he’ll be on the mound, ready standing tall.
I’ll be there in my Ranter wear, ready to snag a ball.
The game’s against the Phillies, last year’s number one.
It’s no joke I’m pretty stoked the season has begun.
From Marianne aka R-Luv:
The Rockies are my team, going to the Series was a dream
Other People don’t understand, what it is to be a Rockies fan.
From R-Luv again:
Street, Gonzalez, and Smith came to playin place of our All Star Matt Holliday.
Our catchers are awesome there’s none better than Yovit Torrealba and Chris Iannetta.
Our pitching staff is good and deserves a look with Francis, Jiminez, De La Rosa and Cook.
I’m almost done and then I’ll stop but not before I mention my favorite outfielder Bradly Bonte Hawpe
Here’s a verse from Alex of:
Blogging With an Altitude, Baseball in the Mile High City
2009, here we come! Bring on the Purple Storm.
Cause once our players step up to bat, they really can perform.
Some people just don’t get it, they say we can’t play ball.
I dare them to say it again in October, once we win it all!
Thank you Alex and R-Luv. You are both true Rockies Fans
C’mon Rockies fans show me your creative side and add a verse…D
Twenty five, until my little drive
1/29/09
(<—This is not the Moblile Blogging Unit)
Twenty-five days until the Mobile Blogging Unit reaches mobile blogability. I hope I don’t have any internet connectivity issues whilst I’m mobily blogging.
Congrats to Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies signed him to a four year deal worth 10 million and it’s loaded with all kinds of performance incentives.
The Rockies need Ubaldo to stay healthy this season.
Who knows if Jeff Francis will be starting in April. He’s still having issues with that pesky shoulder of his.
Cook, Jimenez, Marquis, who’s the Top Dog if Francis is injured and can’t start off the season?
Is Francis still the Top Dog even if he’s healthy?
I wish I could be in Tucson mid-February to see the pitchers and catchers report. I keep hoping for a last minute surprise in the Rockies bullpen, but at this point I wouldn’t bet on it.
It does get me to thinking, “Who among the Rockies bullpen is ready to take it to the next level?”
My moneys on Ubaldo, but I still have high hopes of Francis returning to his past glory. Cook is a powerful weapon but tends to wear thin with too much usage.
Guess we’ll begin to see in a couple of weeks.
I wish we had somebody new to get excited about.
I wonder how Manny Ramirez would do at this altitude? Manny in a Rockies uniform, now that would be a sight. I’d take Manny for a season. The guy has spark there is no denying that.
I have big hopes for Tulo this season which starts off with him not having any major injuries.
It’s time for this dude to make his mark with the Rockies.
You want to be leader of this team Tulo, show us what you got brotha, and do it all season.
I really believe this is going to be his breakout year.
Tulowitzki healthy and producing all season long is a good thing for the Rockies.
And a good thing for the fans.
Ian Stewart, here’s another guy bursting at the seams with talent and waiting for everything to click.
Ryan Spilborghs, recently married. Happy wife = happy life. This dude should have the season of his life. He’s earned a starting position and I want to see him keep it all season and become a permanant fixture in the outfield.
Man I love talking/writing baseball.
I need some warm weather and a break from the stresses of life.
I’ve earned this little baseball vacation. I still have a spot on the MBU available. No worries here if it doesn’t get filled. Right now it’s Andy, Robert and yours truely.
(<——Andy snaggin at Rockies batting practice)
If all goes his way Robert will be staying in Tucson when Andy and I head back to Denver.
Someday I’ll be able to do that. When I retire it’ll be summers in Colorado and down to Arizona for Fall Ball and Spring Training.
You’ve got to stay busy.
Thank you all for the great comments on my last entry on concerts.
Thanks for stopping by the Rant and reading my filler. You know me, I’m just waiting for the real stuff…D
It’s no joke when your computer’s broke
10/7/08
I guess at some point all of your crap just wears out. Not unlike the Rockies last few games of the season, my computers last days have been slow and painful.
I was left with no option but to try and use my backup desktop computer. It’s damn near as old as my daughter Mylee, and she’ll be eight soon..
I got that thing up and crawling, but it’s just to old.
So after some tweaking, fixing, and replacing, I’m up online again using my old broken laptop.
I’m trying to look at this with the glass being half full, so on a positive note let me say at least my piece of schit computer lasted until the end of the regular season.
Speaking of broke and finished, who do you think the Rockies are going to get rid of before next season?
Do you like the way I just slid that in there? I got skills.
Matt Holliday seems to be the buzz name for now. I hope not.
He has another year still in Colorado but you know he’s got to be wondering what his market value is? I’m curious.
As a Rockies ticket purchaser, I only help pay the Rockies salaries, I don’t sign their paychecks, but I think they should find a way to keep Holliday here. I’d pay a buck more for a Rockpile ticket.
He likes it here, keep the man happy, and pay him what he’s worth. Even that might not be enough.
Next seasons pitching should be interesting. Brian Fuentes (super southpaw) is coming off his best season and is now a free agent.
Brian Fuentes = reliable closer
Yep, he is going to cost some the Rockies some green, but pitching has ALWAYS haunted this team and this guy does what you pay him to do, win games.
In my opinion he is only expendable if it involves some kind of deal that keeps Matt Holliday in Colorado.
Aaron Cook had a great season except the last month or so.
Jeff Francis never found his groove, and then he went on the DL for his shoulder. He struggled when he came off the DL, but was seemingly back in stride toward the end of the season.
Jorge De La Rosa struggled early on, but showed us a few things the last part of the season. I think he’ll be back. Buchholz finished the season 50/50 and Manny Corpas was 3-4.
There are bits and pieces of a good pitching squad here, but the Rockies are missing one major thing…A big name pitcher.
If we could guarantee a solid pitching season (we all wish), there is no telling what the Rockies could do in this Division.
Now let me take this full circle. In my opinion, Matt Holliday is only expendable if we bring in a BIG name pitcher. See,…it works both ways.
Catchers Duel
VS
Yorvit vs Chris. Hurdle will probably split their action 50/50 until an injury or performance dictates which one will assume the position. Both these guys are excellent catchers and the Rockies are lucky they have them both to choose from.
Where will Garrett Atkins wind up next season? This one is a pickle.
Garrett starts the season on third base. Todd Helton gets hurt midway through the year, Garrett takes over first base and does a great job.
Ian Stewart takes over third and does a better job than Garrett did.
Ian is younger, more athletic and gets paid less than Garrett.
On Garrett’s side, one thing he has that Ian doesn’t is a proven track record. Only time will tell for Ian.
I have more plenty more questions as do you I’m sure. I also have five months to kill.
Tell me what you think the Rockies should do for next season.
Now that I have a functioning computer again, I’m going to try my hand at some playoff blogging..Thanks for reading…Watch out for those Phillies..I’m just saying…D
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