Results tagged ‘ Clint Barmes ’
It was in the bag, what a drag
6/8/10 Astros vs Rockies Game Two
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 17 mph, Out to LF.
Time: 2:38.
Attendance: 26,201.
Just me today and this blog is going to be a short one. If the Rockies won’t put the forth the effort in to beat the freggin Astros at home, then I’m gonna slack a bit on this entry.
I was the first in line today at the Rockpile gates but the Usher checking me in today had a scanner that wasn’t cooperating so it took me an extra three or four minutes to get through.(Not his fault)
The Rockies were out on the field but nothing was hit in my direction. Actually, not much of anything was hit or tossed to left field while the Rockies were up. However right field and center field were blasted with BP homers from sluggers Brad Hawpe and Jason Giambi.
Too bad you can’t snag over there until 30 minutes after the stadium opens. The Ushers grabbed every one of those baseballs. I have no idea what happens to them from there.
The Astros took command of the field and did a decent job of scattering baseballs. Robert had the day of his life and snagged eight baseballs.
I had to mention this as I busted on him last entry for having a dry spell for the last couple of weeks.
The first ball I snagged was hit about 1/3 of the way up the pavillion, I moved right from my spot and snagged it surrounded by four dudes.
I gave that ball to a little girl and her family who were sitting a few rows behind where I caught it.
I was a good catch but it came with an injury.
In the process of making that catch I managed to snag my right leg on a bleacher corner.
What sucks is there is no meat in that spot and after the adrenaline wears off it started to throb.
Some call it the hazzards of the hobby, some call it a souvenir.
I call it painful, but not debilitating.
My second BP homer was headed about twenty feet to my right and I gloved it perfectly. It was all mine as nobody else seemed to be tracking it.
I gave that ball to another little girl and her family as batting practice ended.
I did see for the first time an Astro named Gustavo Chacin that Zack Hample put the “Hample Jinx” on a few years ago. I believe Zack put the jinx on Chacin because he went out of his way to remove a ball from Zack’s glove as he was performing his glove trick.
Since Zack put the curse on Gustavo his career has been in the crapper.
Here’s a link to Zack’s blog so you can get the whole story.
Gustavo did have a chance to toss a ball into the crowd. At one point I thought he was actually going to give it away…But he didn’t.
I only took a few pictures of the Rockies warming-up. Clint Barmes was the first one out to sign for the fans.
Melvin Mora
Brad Hawpe for Queen Geri 
Safe
Random dugout shots.
T-Shirt toss
Waiting for the hand-off.
In comes Franklin Morales
Out goes Franklin Morales.
In comes Rafael Betancourt
As soon as the Astros scored in the 8th I had to get up and leave Coors Field. Rockies fall to the Astros 4-3. I’ll be there Wednesday with Hunter.
Please Rockies don’t look like chumps tonight.
I can’t handle losing two in a row to this team
GO ROCKIES, PLEASE…D
Ready for something different?…Get Ready for:
BLOGGERS WITHOUT BORDERS
We haven’t worked out all the details yet but during the Red Sox/Rockies game in June the writer of Sox Rocker and I will switch places.
”J” will blog about the Rockies and yours truly about the Red Sox.
Who knows, you could see a 6’6″ guy walking around in a Rockpile Ranter jersey? We both plan to attend the Tuesday game on June the 22nd. I’ll do an entry about this soon…D
Rockies Take Game One, I Miss The Fun
4/9/10
Here was my view of the first pitch of the first home game at Coors Field in 2010.
In order to to be able to purchase opening day Rockies tickets you had to enter your email address into a drawing. My email was actually chosen but midway through the purchase I wanted to change the amount of tickets I was going to purchase and when I re-entered my “Special Code” it said the code was no good.
It upset me so I said “F’ck it”
Mistake, I should have been there. I felt it all day. Everyone at work was like “What are you doing here, shouldn’t you be downtown?”
All I can say is it won’t happen again, althought it seems the Rockies did just fine without me.
Excellent game one of this series. I loved the fact that Clint Barmes hits a three run homer in the first home game of 2010.
Clint has a knack for things like that.
I believe that’s just a small sampling of what we’ll see from Barmes this season.
Jorge De La Rosa was amazing. As long as he stays healthy he’s gonna own the National League.
I’m getting my stuff together now, I’ll be there tomorrow with Hunter,… Second row pavilion.
Smack dab in home run territory…Go Rockies
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.
I like what I see, Rockies take two out of three
4/28/09
Other than losing to the Padres (I hate losing to the Padres), it was a good game and a great day on all kinds of levels. As soon as I arrived in the pavilion and saw those batting cages on the field it was game on baby.
I’ve been waiting for a good snagging day and today was no disappointment.
Ball 1: Within a minute I saw a BP homer hit to the right of me and I was off like herd of turtles.
It bounced off a bleacher back and landed underneath the bleacher. I reached through the gap and grabbed it.
I looked up saw a young guy who would have gotten the ball had I not snagged it and I tossed it up to him.
That guy later said “Thank you Ranter” as he was leaving the pavilion.
Your Welcome Brotha !
The Rockies were hitting All-Star baseballs today and I wanted one.
Ball 2: The next BP homer was again hit to my right. I was running full speed and noticed that the ball was going to hit just below the fence so I swung my glove down and swooped it up so smoothly I didn’t even know it was in my glove until I looked.
I kept that ball because although it was dirty, it was a Yankee Stadium commemorative baseball and a bad-azzz catch.
I had another opportunity at another BP homer to the left of me but I misjudged it and missed it by inches. At that point I removed my sunglasses as they were not helping matters.
Ball 3 was hit to the right of me and it was just a plain old running catch. I gave that ball to a little red head girl who was standing next to her little brother who was already holding a ball.
Ball 4 was hit to the left of me and was another running catch snagged cleanly. It was given to a little boy.
I decided to reposition myself higher up in the pavilion and when ball 5 was hit I ran down a few stairs and caught it cleanly with no competition. I kept it because it was a pretty one with only one hit mark on it.
On my next attempt I hopped over three bleachers and ran left down the row as I figured I was in the perfect row to snag this hit. About halfway down the row I stopped positioned myself for the catch then from my left some dude came into my personal space held up his glove with his left arm and held down my arm with his right arm..
At first I thought we were just stuck from his collision into me, but when I tried to forcibly lift my arm I realized this dude had a tight grip on it.
I was like ” What’s up brotha, you don’t have to cheat, I’d have given your son the ball” .
He told me he wasn’t cheating and that I was the cheater by climbing over the three rows of bleachers to get to this spot.
I told him that was bullsheet and I can run, trip fall all over these bleachers and that’s ok, what isn’t ok is contact or touching/holding someone.
I realized right away you couldn’t tell this guy anything. He was one of those dudes. He was wrong, totally wrong and he knew it. You catch a ball with skill not force.
I also mentioned something like it better not happen again
This dude was there with his kid and I didn’t feel like continuing to promote his fine example of fatherhood.
Next time I won’t be so nice
A freggin Rockies fan to boot. I just don’t get it. Anyways, his brilliant block/hold caused us both to miss the ball. I knew dudes like this existed but up until this point I had only met ball whiners. This guy was my first official ball blocker.
Going forward, five snagged baseballs was my best day ever snaggin. There would be no All-Star baseballs for the Ranter today.
While I was on the stairs an Usher came up to me and mentioned she reads the Rockpile Rant and that she really enjoys it. She was very nice and I appreciate when someone tells me that. To find out that people read your blog and then to actually meet those people is very cool. If you’re reading thanks for saying hi and please leave me a comment with your name and I’ll give you proper credit.
Did it start with an “E”?
I always bring a pen for autographs, maybe I should use that same pen to take notes.
After batting practice was over I headed over to the Rockies dugout to again see what I could see. I saw a lot of players warming up.
I busted out my camera and started warming up myself.
Dexter Fowler, a guy who single-handedly is making center field in Coors field look smaller. Props to you brotha for your excellent effort and results in this last home stand.
Jorge De La Rosa and Yorvit Torrealba
tossing the ball
Todd Helton was out warming up also. Today I had brought two baseballs in case I was able to get more than one.
As soon as Todd Helton finished his warm-up walked over to a group of people about
ten feet away from where I was positioned.
Usually that means I wouldn’t be able to squeeze that far over so I didn’t even try.
But to my surprise Todd was working his way left and in no time he was just a few feet away from my spot.
I pulled out my baseball and Pentel RSVP pen.
Todd took them both and proceeded to autograph it on the sweet spot.
Thanks Todd I didn’t even have to ask.
How about that? All these years of not being to snag Todd’s autograph and then BAM, twice in two days. Life’s crazy like that.
Here’s a shot of Helton at bat. This picture was taken from the pavilion.
Helton
Tulowitzki and Stewart
Clint Hurdle and Ryan Spilborghs
Garrett Atkins 
Barmes and Hammel
More dugout shots
Helton and Baylor
A shot of Dan and Emily during the 7th inning stretch singing “Heeeeey Baby” oooh ahh.
Torrealba was behind the plate.
Going for that out.
A shot of Belisle
I thought for sure we’d take game two but the Rockies lose this one 4-3 to the Padres.
Hagg’n Stats for this game
1 point for showing up.
15 points for 5 snagged balls
2 points for Todd Helton’s autograph.
Total Points = 18
<—Actual Coors Field crack.
Well my friends, thanks for visiting the Rockpile Rant and remember to just say no to crack.
Spare the world a shot of your great divide and buy your T-shirts a little longer…D
Photos by the Rockpile Ranter
If there’s no Snagg’n there’s always Tagg’n
4/27/09 Padres vs Rockies
Ranter’s dictionary: Tagg’n = Getting baseballs autographed.
Monday’s game was straight up cold. I was hoping for batting practice but the field was empty other than a few Padres playing catch and doing sprints.
While I was standing there thinking about what I should do next I ran into Joy aka LUVMYROXX and her husband Jim.
This time I was able to take a picture and talk for a little bit.
Really nice folks and it was an honor to meet you both.
Thanks Joy for reading the Rant and being a regular commentor.
I have to say anyone brave enough to attend Monday’s game is a hardcore Rockies fan because it was quite nipply.
It was seriously overcast, the temperature was in the 40′s and a cold gusty wind was hitting us at times.
Great snowbarding weather but it can make watching a baseball game live a bit uncomfortable, especially when those wind gusts hit…brrrr
So after saying hey to some of the fellas in the first row I grabbed my backpack and headed over to the Rockies dugout to see what I could see.
When I arrived I saw Huston Street walking back to the dugout and before I could even ask he walked over to sign for a small group of fans. I quickly dug out a baseball and slipped into the group.
One thing I have noticed is that if you just hand a player a baseball they will usually not sign on the sweet spot. For me this is true 9 out of 10 times. Robert has been giving me sheet about not asking them to sign on the sweet spot.
He told me “just ask them to sign it on the sweet spot, they will”. So today I tried it.
I handed Huston Street the pen and baseball and asked “Huston will you please sign my ball on the sweet spot?”.
<——He looked at me with this look and said, “No, I’m not going to do that, you get it where you get it.
I about crapped my pants. You see the first time I ask I get slammed hard.
Naa I’m totally kidding, Huston Street is a great guy and will sign for anyone.
Here’s why it’s hard for me a to ask a player to sign on the sweet spot. I feel fortunate to just be getting a players autograph, so to be specific on what I want seems a tad rude.
But in reality unless it’s a World Series ball it needs to be signed on the sweet spot.
Its the perfect place for it….See what I mean.
Thank you Huston !
With luck like this in the first few minutes I figured I’d stay put there and see what unfolds.
So from a Hagger’s point of view the cold dreary day was getting better
Robert came over and was demonstrating to me the fine art of removing the word “PRACTICE” from a baseball.
It requires some very light sanding with fine sandpaper and then hitting it with a white eraser.
Neat stuff. Always pay attention to your elders, they are full of usefull information.
I knew the next player to come out would be Chris Iannetta.
I hopped in line and he signed the baseball Robert was fixing up for me.
I used a batting practice ball because Chris was signing in sharpie and I decided to work on a Team signed baseball mostly because I had only brought one new baseball and one used one.
Huston Street had autographed my new baseball so the only ball I had left was the one Robert fixed up for me.
The next guy out of the dugout was Bob Apodaca.
Bob looked like he was on a mission but when the older fella standing beside me called out his name Bob turned and walked over and started chatting and signing.
Nice guy, thank you Bob.
No batting practice today but I’ve snagged three autographs. Not bad eh !. It gets better my friends.
Here are the players warming up.
Mr. Helton
When Todd finished warming up he walked almost all the way to the dugout then he turned turned and walked over to my group.
I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never been able to get Todd’s autograph at Coors Field before and here he was two feet from me.
It was at that point I really wished I had a new baseball for him to sign. Oh well my team baseball was starting to look pretty good now especially with this this guys autograph on it
Look at the menacing sky in the background. My team ball is getting some character now.
As Clint Barmes was walking off the field he stopped and spent a few minutes signing for everyone.
Here he is signing my team ball–>
When he looked up at me I said, “Clint you tossed me the first batting practice ball of spring training this year”. He looked up at me and said “Yeah I remember you”.
Clint brotha, you don’t know how cool it was to hear you say that.
I’ve always liked Clint Barmes but now not only will the Rant be extra pro-Helton but it will be extra pro-Barmes. I take special notice when someone takes notice/remembers me.
Thanks for the autograph Clint. Good luck this season, the Rant has got your back.
I managed to get one more autograph but not a picture. Ryan Spilborghs signed the team baseball underneath Clint Barmes.
Spilly was working his way down the line signing with this head down and just before he got to me the guy beside me mentioned something about Robert catching his home run ball the night before.
I then asked Spilly if he had watched the video of it. Spilly said “Yeah I looked at it”. Then I said that I was the guy right behind Robert chasing it. He still didn’t look up. When he got to me he took my baseball, signed it, handed it back to me, stopped slowly, raised his head enough to see my face and acknowledge it, then he moved on down the line.
It wasn’t scary, but it wasn’t a “Cool man, better luck next time” kind of glance either. No worries Spilly, I’m a big fan and I’m glad you’re a part of this team.
We know a lot of the same people so I hope you get used to my face brotha :)
Some notes on this game. Dexter Fowler is amazingly fast.He stole five of the eight bases that were stolen in this game.
Tulo was benched?
Rockies get the win over the Padres 12-7.
I didn’t make it much past the fifth inning. I was cold tired, and had to get up for work at 3am. Had I stayed I’d have been in position to snag a ground rule double.
Let me just say that is not the first time that has happened to me and will surely not be the last. I think of it as the ghosts of baseball past teasing me for leaving my seat or going home early.
It will someday happen to you if you attend enough games. Eventually you’ll need to eat, drink or pee Precicly at the point that you cannot see your seat is when the baseball will land in your area.
Hagg’n totals for this game
1 Point for showing up.
12 Points for six autographs. Huston Street, Bob Apodaca, Todd Helton, Chris Iannetta, Clint Barmes, and Ryan Spilborghs. I couldn’t eat another brat this game.
Total points = 13
Two wins in a row, I’m digg’n this. Go Rockies…D
Willy set free, and dinner with the “P”
12/13/08
Free Willy??
The Rockies had to non-tender CF Willy Taveras, after figuring out they wouldn’t be able to trade “Speedy” before Fridays deadline for offering contracts to arbitration eligible players.
The Rockies were trying to swing a deal with Taveras and Juan Morillio going to the Nationals for pitcher Tim Redding, but the deal fell flat.
So Willy T is Free. Actually Redding is too for that matter. I tell you what, if “Speedy” could up his OBP just a wee bit, you might really have something there. You need to be on base to ”steal ‘em”.
Remember Brian “Tito” Fuentes is still free out there. Maybe he and Willy can go for a swim?
Starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, and relievers Huston Street, Taylor Buchholz and Jason Grilli were tendered offers, along with Clint Barmes and Garrett Atkins.
Me, my head still hurts, but I’m on the upswing. Hunter and I are heading to the Nuggets game tonight.
I could possibly have a pair of backstage passes for us.
Third level seats tonight, but the backstage pictures should be cool.
I’m hoping to get Chauncey Billups, Balkman, and Birdman’s autograph tonight…D
I’ll be attending a special Dinner with the family on next Thursday.
It’s a dinner/get together, for the season ticket holders in the Pavilion at Coors Field.
<–(These are not Rockies season ticket holders, and will not be attending the dinner party).
This dinner/party doesn’t officially have a name yet, so I’ve been challenged to come up with one (Not much rhymes with pavilion).
It’s going to be a great time. Such a fun group of people.
Ranter’s Bad Joke of the Day
A Mets fan, a Braves fan, a Yankees fan, and a Rockies fan are climbing up a mountian. On the way to the top, each is arguing about how loyal they are to their team and what they would do for that team.
Upon reaching the top, the Mets fan shouts, “This is for the Mets!!!” and throw’s himself off the top of the mountian. Next the Braves fan yells, “I love Atlanta”..This is for you Braves!!” and he too, jumps off. Finally when then the Rockies fan reaches the top he screams, “This is for EVERYONE!!” and pushes the Yankee fan off the mountian.
More when I get it…D
Jorge finally has his day
Jorge De La Rosa.
I can’t remember how many times this season I’ve watched this kid blow a baseball game. Jorge had a serious bad start this season and his ERA by the All Star Break was 7.26.
I like Jorge. Hunter and I got his autograph early on this season and I mentioned back then how laid back and polite he was.
I was just checking out his stats. He is now 12-10 for the season and his ERA is 4.92. He’s bringing it on strong and doing exactly what every other Rockies player is.
Trying to get noticed. Only three games left.
Jorge struck out seven allowing only three hits in seven innings. He also singled in the fourth and drove in a run. 
Matt Holliday (Rockies please keep him), hit a single in the first inning to score Tulowitzki.
Matt this season has hit .321 with 25 home runs and 88 RBI. He has played 139 games, had 539 at bats and managed 173 hits.
Matt will only continue to get better as a player. There was a dramatic improvment in his outfielding this season.
He is physically healthy and lives a clean lifestyle.
Matt has a lot of good years left in him
Fact: In June 2006 Clint broke his collarbone carrying a large slab of meat given to him by Todd Helton upstairs to his apartment.
It was probably deer or elk meat.
Clint hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to give him eleven home runs for the season. That is a personal record for him topping his previous best of 10 in 2005. Contrats Clint..See you next season.
Rockies square up against the D-Backs in a couple of hours. On the mound for the Rockies is Jason Hirsh.
Have you seen the size of this guy?
He is 6’8 250, bats right, throws right.
He’s been a relief pitcher only three times this season. Here’s a quote from Jason.
“I’m going to have fun, at this point of the season, that’s pretty much my mind-set. Have fun and enjoy the rest of the year. This season has been trying, the most trying of my career. At this point, what have I got left to lose?”
He’s right, who knows..lets see how it goes..
No winner on the Baseball Card Trivia #2.
Did I make it too tough?
Go Rockies…D
Oh, what a day by the bay
9-25-08
You know there were some pissed off Giants fans leaving AT&T park last night. I myself have felt like that several times this season.
All I heard today was “why didn’t the Rockies play like that last month, why now?”.
To which I replied “why the hell are you asking me, I’m wondering the same thing myself”.
Too little, too late, ahh whatever. It was still fun to watch and I’m officially three wins up on my bet.
If the Rockies win tonight I’ll be bringing that Rockies Jersey into work tomorrow for the Giants fan who thought up this bet to wear. Oh, and the loser’s picture gets posted on here. He is a good sport, I think.
Thank You Rockies ( knock on wood), for not making me look like a chump in front of everyone I work with and the blogging community.
Hope I’m not celebrating too early?
Clint Barmes was on fire last night. He chalked up a homer and four RBI’s. Barmes is bucking for a full
time job and who can blame him.
I cant believe this guy can hit the way he hits. Shoot, I’m bigger than him..I guess it’s all in the swing.
Just heard some scary news. My favorite player is going to go under the knife. Todd Helton is going to have what’s called a microdisectomy
next tuesday. That just sounds uncomfortable.
They are going to remove part of his bulging L5 disc to hopefully alleviate pressure on the nerve that has been messing with him.
Good Luck Todd, We need to see you on first base next season.
Congrats to Chris Iannetta !
Chris’s two run double gave him 65 RBI for the season. That was enough for him to surpass former Rockie Brent Mayne’s club record of 64 RBI in 2000.
Don’t count on seeing Willy Taveras steal any more bases this season. Apparently, super speed comes with a pricetag.
Willy has a stress fracture of his right tibea. His season is officially done. Good luck Speedy! I hope you heal as fast as you run.
The Rockies owned this game. They won 15-6. I was skeptical of Hernandez, but he had two of the Rockies eighteen hits himself.
Livan gave up five runs with twelve hits in seven innings. He is now (13-11).
I know these last few games mean nothing. But straight up, I would rather see them win the last six games than lose them. I hate losing to the Giants.
I do plan to blog about the playoffs but I just can’t seem to blog about other teams while my team is still playing and winning.
Game 3 vs the Giants is tonight is at 8:15 MST. Only four games left.
Go Rockies…D
An evening of lights and spectacular sights
9/19/08 FIREWORKS GAME ROCKIES VS DIAMONDBACKS
What a day. My face actually hurts from smiling so much. Hope it didn’t crack.
Today was only the second time this whole season that we were late for batting practice. Denver traffic on a Friday around 4pm can be hellish, and used took every short cut I knew, but we still arrived about fifteen minutes late.
We met Berned in the parking lot and we all headed in. This was our first fireworks game this year and I had no idea if people showed up early or waited till later on in the evening to arrive.
When we reached the Pavilion there was hardly anyone there at all.
Either the Rockies didn’t taking batting practice or they were finished by the time we had arrived.
The D-backs were on the field and we assumed our positions.
Hunter slid down to the railing in row two.
And me, I took my usual spot about half way up, not quite center field.
From a snaggers point of view, it’s fun to watch the D-backs.
They were hitting well and I was getting some serious “play” in the Pavilion
.
Here’s my analogy of snagging.
Snagging to me is like going to a casino.
I don’t mind going home with nothing, as long as I get some “play”.
If your start your day at the Casino with a hundred bucks and you lose it in the first thirty minutes, that sucks.
But, if you get to play all day on the hundred bucks and then go home broke.
Then it was a day of entertainment.
Feel me??
Ok, so it has been a long while since I have caught a ball on the fly at BP.
Today, all of that would change.
About twenty minutes after we arrived at BP, I saw a ball launched and headed for me.
At first it looked like it was going over my head, but then it started to break. I ran back down about fifteen steps, reached as high as I could and poof.
My only goal for the last few games of the season was to catch one more ball on the fly.
Mission accomplished. Oh hell yea !
I didn’t even have time to revel in the moment. As soon as I put that ball in my pocket I saw another ball heading my general direction.
I was tracking this ball perfectly and moved quickly down about five stairs, put my glove up high, and snagged ball number two.
That was a first for me.
Two balls caught on the fly within seconds.
To make it even better, it was two balls hit from the same player during the same at bat.
I couldn’t tell you who the batter was. He was too far away to see.
But hey, mystery D-backs batter, thanks.
I really needed that.
Several times I looked over and saw Dan catch a ball in the fly. Looked like he was having a good day.
I asked Dan how he did after BP and he said he snagged five balls. I asked him if he had ever caught two in a row from the same player in one time at bat.
He responded, “I’ve caught three”. Thats awesome Dan! Zack eat your heart out.
Congrats Dan..Will we see a blog from you next season?? Do it man…DO IT !
I know you hold some snaggin records.
Also, with out giving out details, Thanks Dan for getting the three us onto field for the show…D
After BP we went over behind the Rockies dugout to take some pictures and see if Hunter could maybe snag an autograph. While were were there Robert Harmon came up and said hi.
Robert and I have been talking recently about a little trade. Robert has been tossing around the idea of starting a blog. He also drives a VW bus. I have a VW bus and I’m a blogger.
So we may swap, he helps me work on the bus, I help him start a blog.
Sounds good to me.
(A shot of Robert and Ryan Spilborghs dad a few games back).
I think Robert would have a cool blog.
I bet he has some serious snaggin stories.
It would be interesteing to see and read about his baseball collection.
Here are a few random pictures I took.
First is Berned after BP. He said it was tough watching me chase baseballs and he felt he needed some ice cream
He got Hunter one too..Thx..B
Best haircut of the game.
Clint out socializing with the fans and signing autographs..He does that a lot.
Ian Stewart doing some yoga. Kind of hard to reach “Zen” when your on display.
Few players stretching.
Willy “Speedy” Taveras
Tulowitzki, Barmes and Atkins
Hawpe and Stewart playing catch.
Me and B
A shot of the City
The Rockies had the lead the entire game.
Atkins got an RBI in the first inning to start things off. Then Chris Iannetta homered in the second to get his 18th of the year and put the Rockies up 2-0.
Bottom of the fourth with two out, Clint Barmes homered and and that put the Rockies up 3-0.
Nothing really exciting happened untill the ninth inning.
Brian Fuentes was pitching and let the D-Backs Mark Reynolds homer and then managed to load up the bases. With two out, Fuentes struck out Chris Young in an awesome finish to a perfect evening. Rockies beat the D-Backs 3-1.
Oh wait, this evening isn’t close to being finished yet.
After the game, all fans with seats in the Pavilion and Rock Pile were allowed onto the field to lay down and watch the fireworks display.
The way the Stadium is designed, the fans in those seats have their backs to the scoreboard (which is where they shoot off the fireworks).
Fans starting to fill up the playing field.
Here is a shot going through the tunnel to get onto the field.
On the grass before the fireworks.
B chillin on the grass
The countdown to launch.
I had a serious rush of emotions as I lay on the grass inside Coors Field watching a spectacular fireworks show.
Click here to see the fireworks finale—->Fireworks finale 9-19-08
I flashed back to the first time I ever attended a Professional baseball game.
It was 1975 and I got to walk on the field inside Yankee Stadium. It was a day game and all the fans were cheering for us. I’ll never forget that.
I thought back to playing baseball as a kid in New Jersey just before we moved to Canada. Seeing my the look on my mom and pops face when I made a good play or catch.
Then I thought about my own son.
Watching him play baseball this year. Seeing his love for this sport grow.
I love being a father.
Baseball is how we bond.
I though about all the Rockies batting practices and games we have attended this season.
Seeing the rush of excitement on Hunter’s face when were first into the Stadium for BP.
Watching him play catch with Chan Ho Park.
Mylee’s first baseball at BP this season. Snaggin from the first row. My double snag today.
We are fortunate to have blogging as a media . Blogging is a great way of storing and sharing an experience, memory or thought that no one can take away from you….Usually.
Maybe not everyone feels this way but Baseball is as “pure” for me today as it was thirty years ago.
I had straight up had goosepimples as I lay on the grass in my favorite Stadium.
I’m a kid again as soon as I enter the gates.
Forget the world right now, I’m here to play and have fun.
I’ll check back into reality in a few hours.
Nothing else gives me that feeling my youth.
Thank you MLB, the Colorado Rockies and Mlblogs.com.
I’ll never forget this season thanks to all of you.
Sincerely,
Don
The Rock Pile Ranter
Tonight we’ll forget but we still get the set
8/21/08
Despite taking the first two games of this set vs the Dodgers, the Rockies came up short today in LA. Joe Torre’s team of Hall of Famers spoil the sweep and take the Rockies 3-1 ending a five game winning streak.
Rockies took the lead early in the first with Matt Holliday scoring Barmes on a sacrifice fly. I kept hoping for more, but not today.
I kept waiting for Ian Stewart to do something outrageous as of late.
But not today.
The Rockies dugout was pretty much silenced.
Jorge De La Rosa now 6-7, had three strikeouts, two walks and allowed two runs (one earned), on six hits.
In the end a loss is a loss, but I’ll give Jorge some props, he held it together and got out of LA without too bad of a beating.
Remember Yorvit earlier this year–>
A while back I mailed some 3×5 cards to Coors Field in hopes of getting a few Rockies autographs.
I chose six Rockies players and sent them letters with the cards and a return envelope with postage.
The six I chose were:
Brad Hawpe, Willy Taveras, Omar Quintanilla, Jeff Bakery, Matt Herges and Manny Corpas.
I mailed all the letters on June 28, 2008 and on July 2, 2008, less than a week after I mailed them, Omar Quintanilla returned my letter and had autographed my card as you see here on the right.
Sad part of this story is Omar’s is the only card I have received back.
Wait, I haven’t checked the mail today?? Maybe just maybe…nope not today. Glad I didn’t mail a World Series jersey !
For the record , that was not an official Rant. Just a disappointing observation.
Next up, a three game homestand against the Reds.
Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt will finally be presented with their 2007 National League Championship rings during some sort of home plate ceremony.
The kids and I will be at all three games.
Rockies are 59-70 for the season. D-Backs are 65-60. There are 33 regular season games left.
Six of those games are against Arizona. The first three are at Coors, and the last three in Arizona to end the Rockies regular season…Take a second and ponder it all.
You have the numbers, now do the math and you can see that things could really get interesting. As it stands, the Rockies are by no means out of this race. Unfortunately, the D-Backs hold all the cards right now. Don’t count out the Dodgers either.
Usually I’m a glass is half empty type of guy, but today was a scorcher and I’m just glad I’ve got something to drink.
It’s time for some ninth inning, two out magic..I know you feel me.
Hawpe, Stewart, Tulo, Holliday, Taveras, Atkins, it’s time fellas to step it up a notch.
Do it now, or the season fades into oblivion much like my hairline.
We could have stayed until the end of the game.
But not today.
I was sunburnt and my butt was tired.
No special snaggin seats tomorrow.
Look out though, were ready..
Just hope the Rockies are too..D
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