Results tagged ‘ Rockpile Rant ’
Spring is my Thing
1-27-2013
Spring Training in Arizona.
For some of us, there is no regular season without a trip south just to check things out.
Knowing that sometime in March I’ll be traipsing through the backfield at some team’s facility scouring for baseballs or innocently(wink wink) wandering into a restricted area fill my winter time thoughts.
I know it will be warm and I’ll be wearing shorts, sunglasses and sport’n my trademark Ranter hat.
Plus Arizona has In and Out Burger joints :)…Yeah!
Daydreaming about spring training is what gets me through the Colorado winter. I know for a fact I’m not the only one who daydreams about the southwest sun and cacti.
Rantics, I see your FACEBOOK posts 
Spring Training for the players is intense at times but for me it’s how I decompress from life. I’ve stopped setting goals for myself and I plan to focus on having a good time. Setting goals creates pressure and as I just mentioned that’s not what I’m shooting for. The goal if any is to relax, have fun, hang with baseball friends, make some new friends, catch some baseballs, watch 3 World Baseball Classic games, wander the back fields of random spring training facilities, and take LOTS of pictures.
Then tell you all about it because that’s what the Number #1 Rockies MLBlogger for the last 6 years does
As far as autographs go I plan to bring some of my pictures along and hopefully get a few of my favorites signed. I have no idea of what to get autographed at the WBC??
Maybe a WBC bat or jersey?
I feel like I crank out some of my best blogs during Spring Training. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m relaxed or because I’m more focused by not being distracted by my normal routine?
I guess stuff is just more fun to write about when you had a blast doing it.
Same as last year I’ll be hang’n with my partner in crime the Rox Addict and there’s usually never a dull moment with us two exploring a ballpark or a restricted area
We’re sort of a Dynamic Rockies Blogging Duo of sorts.
This year will be my 6th year attending Spring Training in Arizona. So in tribute to that here are some links and a few pictures from my Spring Training adventures in years past.
The Mobile Blogging Unit and Hi Corbett Field. I loved that place.(2009).
Snagg’n Behind Enemy Lines for the First Time. (2009)
Snagged my Holy Grail at Maryvale (2009)
A Geezer and A Canadian Open the New Stadium (2011)
Rockies win that first game in the new stadium 8-7.
I End up with One…But Damn it was Fun (2011)
Two Dudes from Ned in a Stadium of Red (2012)
Next Time Put Up a Sign (2012)
Mike the Rox Addicts first game ball: (2012)…He Snagged the ball Green hat and all
Baseball memories.
I figured out why I chase baseballs.
As a kid some of my fondest memories were going to hockey games with my pops. We had a local farm team and my thing was I liked to try and snag a puck or two when I was there. This was way before they used nets and pucks would often fly into the stands and kids would scramble for them. I guess chasing baseballs takes me back to a happy place in my childhood.
We all need something like that.
I’m “D” the Ranter
Spring Training brings out the kid in me. Six weeks till I get to play.
See you kids down there
Broncos Do the Deed… Secure the # 1 Seed
Chiefs vs Broncos…Game 16
The last regular season game of the year. There were only two things Krista and I wanted to see happen today. A Broncos win, and news of the #1 seed in the AFC.
DONE
I love this feeling. Being a hardcore Rockies fan winning is a strange concept to me. Winning 11 in a row is way more than anyone anticipated at the beginning of this season.
After almost 15 years of the Broncos owning a lollipop factory, finally they don’t suck anymore.
Folks..Hold your head high…Being a Broncos fan carries some weight again. Even the Rockies Rally Squirrel jumped ship and now lives near Sports Authority Field.
I figure since Rockies fans don’t tail-gate the scraps here must be plentiful. Krista and I did a little Hill-Gating with Mike the Rox Addict before the game. We shared a few of Colorado’s finest and started making plans for our Spring Training trip in 2 months
Hill-Gating is partying on a hill next to where other folks are Tail-Gating. Admittedly not a great word but it’s my word. How many words do you have?
Von Miller
Leslie with his own brand of Chop.
This Superbowl run is for you Champ.
PFM pre-game.
Flyover
Love the broncos Toque that Champ is wearing.
Don’t know what a toque is? Let me help you.
In Canada, toque, or tuque (pron.: /’tu:k/), is the common name for a knitted winter hat, or beanie. The Canadian English term was assimilated from Canadian French tuque. Toque first appeared in writing around 1870.
The fashion is said to have originated with the coureurs de bois, French and Métis fur traders, who kept their woollen nightcaps on for warmth during cold winter days. Such hats are known in other English-speaking countries by a variety of names, including beanie (American), watch cap or stocking cap; the terms tuque and toque are unique to Canada and northern areas of the United States, close to the Canadian border.
Now you know.
First play Quinn hands off to Charles.
Quinn gets a taste of some Mile High grass
Touchdown Moreno!
With Manning at the Helm…
Broncos straight up kick the Chiefs ass 38-3..Total Domination!
On a final Broncos note..Six years ago on Jan 1 2007 cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed on New Years Day, at 24 years of age…Sad
Here’s a video tribute to Darrent.
It’s been a year folks. Lots of ups and down in our Colorado Sports world. Blogging gained absolutely no credibility in 2012 and as such a lot of sporting events are trying to restrict what type of cameras can be brought into a Stadium or Arena. They are shying away from anything with a detachable lens.
Anyone that knows me knows I don’t sell my pictures. They are online for all to view and enjoy. There’s not a lot of people out there that do what I do quite like I do it. If you know me you know….I’m not “in it” for the money.
Shit… Being ”in it” costs me money.
I rarely watch sports on TV because I love being there. That feeling of being a small part of something bigger, camera in hand waiting to catch that “perfect picture” whatever it may be that day.
Props to Coors Field and the Rockies and Sports Authority Field and the Broncos for not restricting my camera usage. I’m glad they realize I’m on their side. The Nuggets and the Pepsi Center are a different story.
Spring Training Road Trip will be early March 2013 for the Rox Addict and I.
My Spring training trip is shorter this year because we purchased a mountain ranch a month ago..
You’d think the perfect name for the ranch would be the Rockpile Ranch right? For some reason my wife doesn’t share my enthusiasm for that name. Since we’re at 9200 feet elevation the wife decided we’re gonna call it the…
“HIGH C RANCH”.
I’m “D” the Ranter.
Press Pass for the Ranter in 2013
From Krista, Hunter, Mylee , Elway, Nugget, Bronco, Karma Kitty and I…
Happy New Year and a prosperous 2013 to you…”D“
Here’s the Thing…These Hornets don’t Sting
11-25-12
Nuggets vs Hornets
Pepsi Center 6pm
Our first Nuggets game of the season. Wasn’t sure what to expect.
Jersey Geoff and his family must have been think’n the same thing as my family because we ran into him up in the thin-air section (300 section). This was their first Nuggets game of the season as well.
Gold Medalist Missy Franklin was at the game. (Denver resident but not Colorado native).
Pre-Game the Nuggets recognized Andre Iguodala for helping Team USA win the Olympic gold medal. Andre scored 23 points, 6 assists and had 2 rebounds tonight!
Nuggets also recognized center Timofey Mozgov for winning a bronze medal while playing for his native Russia.
The face of the Nuggets have changed so I’ll hit you with some player names.
Danilo Gallinari.
Andre Miller
Kosta Koufos.
Kenneth Faried..14 points and 12 rebounds tonight.
Coach Karl.
Cory Brewer.
Ty Lawson nailed 17 points tonight.
Front Row Seat…Texting Fan of the Game.
Click here for a Video Recap of the game
Final Score
Nuggets 102..Hornets 84
.Nugget’s are now 8-6 on the season and the win tonight was their 4th in a row. I must say at first I didn’t like the new uniforms, but they’re starting to grow on me.
Love that Old Skool logo.
I’m “D” the Ranter…Doing my best to be a well-rounded sports blogger
A Slice of Walt Weiss
11-10-12
Rockies new Skipper…Walt Weiss
If your an old skool Rockies fan you love Walt Weiss’s play. Walt was a solid defensive shortstop and knew how to get on base.
Walt has a lifetime OBP of .351 and hit .258 for his career.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Weiss as the new Skipper though. I like other Rockie fans have questions like…
How do you bypass coaching in the minor leagues entirely and go right from High School to the Major Leagues?
Why only the one year contract?
How much say will Walt have in the hiring of his new staff?
When can we lose the purple dinosaur?
What’s your first move?
I listened to Drew Goodman and Scott Hastings interview Walt yesterday afternoon on the radio and I really like how Walt answered these types of questions.
Here’s a link to that interview:
Walt Weiss on the Drew and Scott Show 11-9-12
So I figure since none of us fans have a say in who gets picked as the new Manager, really all I can do as a fan is see what Walt’s been able to accomplish a year from now.
The Rockies have some intriguing pieces in this puzzle. Walt’s got 12 months to see what he can do with this Rocky Mountain rubiks cube.
Here’s a lil slice of Walt Weiss
1. Walt was initially drafted by the Orioles in the 10th round of the 1982 amateur draft. Walt decided to postpone his pro ball career and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll. In 1985 Walt was the 11th overall pick.
2. Walt’s first Major League appearance was in Sept of 1987 in a Oakland A’s uniform.
3. In 1998 Walt batted .280 and made the All-Star team (The All-Star game that year was held at Coors Field), for the Braves his first and only time.
4. Also in 1988 Walt made a costly error (Walt’s fault) in Game 4 of the World Series allowing the Dodgers to win the series in 5 games. That year Walt was awarded the American League Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the third consecutive Oakland player to win the award, following José Canseco and Mark McGwire.
5. In 1992 Walt was traded from the A’s to the newly formed Marlins and in 1993 played 158 games. At the end of the 1993 season Walt became a free agent and signed with the Rockies becoming the first player to have played for both expansion teams the Rockies and Marlins.
6. Walt played shortstop for the Rockies from 1994-97 and was a special assistant to Dan O’Dowd from 2002-08.
7. Walt retired an Atlanta Brave in 2000 with his last game played on Oct 1st 2000 against the Colorado Rockies in Atlanta. Rockies won 10-5.
8. Walt was the head varsity coach for Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. Weiss let his team to the 5A semifinals his first season.
Walt’s been involved in professional baseball for 20+ years. Is he what the Rockies are looking for?
Who knows?
I’m ”D” the Ranter and what I do know is I’ll be at my Tuesday games and those 10 bobble head games. If there’s no inspiration to make any more games it’ll be…
“Walt’s Fault”
Ranter’s Photo Contest 2013
10/23/12
Yeah buddy!
It’s time for another… ”Ranter’s”
This time there’s a different theme.
My challenge to you this time is to submit a picture that describes why baseball in Colorado is better than anywhere else.
Is it because the our the Rockies players are cooler? Or is it the attitude? Maybe it’s better because Rockies fans are tight knit and we use baseball as a way to hang out? Use your imagination folks…You get points for creativity.
This Photo Contest is open to everyone… Even Mike the Rox Addict.
Here’s a link to last year’s photo contest:
Ranter’s Photo Contest winners 2011
Here’s the winning picture last year taken by Katerina.
There will be prizes for First, Second and Third places to be announced later.
Winners will be announced Monday April 1, 2013..The first game of the Rockies regular season.
Only picture per person, no substitutions!
Tom Helmer was the judge last time, maybe he’ll do it again for us?
Send your picture to THEROCKPILERANTER@YAHOO.COM
I’m “D” the Ranter… Time to get your click on!
Meet Bob the Knob
I vote this:
“Best Use of a TV Seat Ever”
The story I heard about this guy is he was walking by the stadium on his way home from work. It was seriously late (about 1am) as the game had been rain delayed. Bob as I’ll call him picked up a 5 buck ticket and found his way down to a TV seat.
Here’s what happened next:
I’m “D” the Ranter.
If this dude doesn’t make you laugh you better check your pulse.
What would you do at 1 am if you had those TV seats to make the world remember you?
Raider Haters are Finally Celebrators
9-30-12
Game 4
Another perfect football day in Colorado.
Yeah you wished you lived here, but stay away…Colorado’s officially full!
To be honest I’m craving my first snow game, there were none last season(stupid perfect weather). If you didn’t know Krista and I along with most of Colorado are extreme Raider haters.
(This is not Krista )
The Raiders have chumped us way too many times of late and Raiders fans in Colorado have grown increasingly bold because of it.. Manning’s our ace in the hole and today’s mission was to reverse the four-year Raider domination in Colorado.
A couple of WTF’s? These two dudes were castaway from the Blue Man Group for being color blind.
Broncos have a new line of handbags for men called the Pansy Purse…Think I’ll stick to my backpack.
Folks, this is how you tailgate… You buy a used senior citizen shuttle bus and convert it Broncos style.
Boo, only thing missing in this gang is chains.
Manning pre-game.
Coin toss.
Raiders kick-off.
Manning’s first pass,…incomplete.
First drive touchdown, Manning to Dreesen. In your face Raiders
Extra point is good… 7-0 Broncos.
Manning flashing the Ranter sign
One thing I noticed was the total lack of Raiders fans. Normally Mile High is crawling with the black and silver. I don’t think I noticed 100 Raiders fans in the entire place…That’s the way is should be.
Final Score of this long overdue blowout…
Thank you Broncos…I needed this win.
I’m “D” the Ranter…Mondays are much more tolerable when the Raiders fans are speechless.
Manning’s biological clock is ticking faster than a baseball card clipped to a bike tire that’s rolling downhill. There’s no time for play’n around.
Broncos we need a win in New England next week!…”D”
It’s Over…It’s Done…We Suck…It Was Still Fun
9-29-12
On my drive into the city this morning I was staring at a beaufiful orange Colorado sunrise and I was thinking about how much things can change from the beginning of a season to the end of it.
For me this season started with the loss of Tom Helmer as part of the Poot Warts team. That one decision probably affected my season more than anything else. For a lot of us Helmer was the face of the Rockies, much more so than Tulowitzki.
Poot Warts claimed they were about the fan..Helmer was our connection to Poot Warts.
Helmer was all about the fans because he himself is a passionate fan who would often let is show.
For the record I have no issues with the rest of the Poot Warts team. In fact they’re a solid group of individuals who I feel for the most part do a bang-up job. Marc Stout “gets it” in my opinion. He’s approachable and he’s close with his fan base.
I’ve never been Anti-Joel Klatt, just extremely Pro-Helmer.
Joel graciously offered to hold my “Bring Back Helmer” sign when we did our protest pre-game at the Rockies last home game of the season. When I actually called Joel on it he said “No” and was kind of a Dick about it but I realize the situation was slightly uncomfortable and I figured I’d give him a break on his attitude because deep down I’m a softie
I don’t think anyone could have predicted how different this team would look in September or how bad the Rockies record would be. I remember back in March wandering the practice fields at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick full of enthusiasm and optimism.
Recently I wandered around Coors Field the last game of this season full of frustration and confusion. I along with many other Rockies fans have no idea where the Rockies will go from here?
Never in my wildest nightmares did I imagine this would be the worst Rockies season ever.
I’m no baseball genius. I’m just a fan with a cam who really likes to catch baseballs and feel like I’m part of something by sharing my experiences via my blog.
This season I watched the Rox Addict’s MLBlog develop into something special. Mike has a serious passion for baseball and it reflects in his pictures and his writing enthusiasm. Mike scores every game, takes pictures, writes a blog and attends a lot more games than I. Plus Mike’s a Top 50 MLBlogger.
Mike’s fortunate, he has a pretty liberal work schedule, he’ll be the first to admit it .
In addition to the Rox Addict we now have another Rockies MLBLogger. I’ve known Amy for several years and she writes a blog called “The Take from Blake”. Amy hasn’t cracked the top 50 yet but she has interactions with players that make this”Old Skool Blogger” kinda jealous.
It’s fun having other Rockies bloggers around. We’re all tight and hook each other up when we can with our limited resources.
Other than the Purple Row which to me is the “Holy Grail” of Rockies blogs, I can’t think of any Rockies blogs that have been around as long as the Rockpile Rant
FYI The “Rockpile Rant” has been a Top 10 MLBlog for over 4 years now.
I normally take my spring training trip each year by myself.
In March this year Mike and I headed south for a 11 day spring training trip to Phoenix. Mike’s a great road trip buddy. It’s not easy spending 11 days with someone (most of it camping), driving all over Phoenix area at a frantic pace in search of baseball adventures to blog about.
Mike and I managed to keep it cool and gave each other space as we needed it. When the trip was over we both had a great time and were still friends and plan to do it again.
I’d say that’s a pretty good trip.
I’d say this was probably my worst year for autographs. I just don’t have the patience or drive anymore to stand outside as the players drive up or wait against the wall as the guys warm-up.
I enjoy the company, just don’t like the rejection I figure. As far as snagg’n stats this season, I snagged 29 batting practice baseballs in 25 games ending my season 3 baseballs short of 200 for my career.
Yes I’m still chasing my first ever regular season home run ball. All I can say is I have shit luck and maybe next year will be my year?
In conclusion I’d like to thank Dan, Mike, Joy, Marianne, Amy, Jersey Geoff, Gary X, Douglas, Robert, Queen Geri, Eric, Danny and Nettie, Randy, Scott, Tom Helmer, Bob the Usher, Barb the Usher, Mary the Usher, Brad the Usher, Dave, Mikey, Stout, Todd C and Family, Eric Young Jr, Jamie Moyer, Chris Nelson, Captain Earthman, and the Rockpile Usher with the beard(sorry bud can’t believe I forgot your name) and all of the:
For directly influencing my Rockies season in a positive way.
To the smelly old son of a bitch that kept sitt’n his stanky ass in my seat perforating the fabric with his body funk…You got yours buddy
If I forgot ya, doesn’t me I dont’ care…Just means I’m old.
Props to the Rockies for letting us run the bases at the last home game of the season. I’ve never done that before and it was fun.
Rumor is next year the Rockies will have 10 bobble head games? Have I mentioned I like bobble heads?
I’m “D” the Ranter…The Rockies #1 MLBlogger.
Old Skool…But still as cool as the other side of the pillow…”D”
Second Loss this Year…But We Got an Ear
Texans vs Broncos
Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Peyton’s house was full again ‘cept for 400 or so no-shows.
Bronco fans were all eager to see what Peyton was going to look like this week. He’s new(to us) still and we have no idea what to expect from him.
Once again I managed to snag free parking but you have to be extremely careful where you park.
Parking enforcement was out in full effect making sure you follow the difficult to understand parking signs. There were no shortage of tow trucks to remove your car in case you F’ked up and read the sign wrong.
Broncos introductions.
Coin toss.
Rod Smith’s Number was being inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame today so they Broncos were giving away Rod Smith trading cards.
Rod’s position in the Ring of Fame is next to Shannon Sharpe.
Kick-off.
Joe Mays get’s the Mike Tyson award for ear removal when he leveled Schuab. Mays hit him so hard a piece of Schuab’s ear actually came off…That’s nasty!!
Quote from Schuab: “I felt fine. I just lost a piece of my ear, I was bleeding and my helmet came off so I had to come out for a play, but I was fine.”
Click to enlarge
Peyton fires one to Stokely.
Caught.
Scores!!
Less than a minute left, the last throw of the game to Decker.
Who then tossed it to Bell, who tried to toss it again but for not.
Final Score
I’m “D” the Ranter. It may be “Manning’s House” but Peyton needs to get his kids in line.
Raiders next week baby…”D”
Bring Your Sign…It’s Helmer Time
9-20-12
Ok, this Rockies season was a bust and it’s quite possible we could achieve the 100 loss mark.
Just wondering how your still feeling about the lack of our homeboy Tom Helmer and his enthusiasm for the Rockies?
I don’t know about you but it seems to me the Rockies and Poot Warts need Helmer now more than ever.
Nothing against Joel Klatt pictured below.
Thursday is the last regular season game at Coors Field and Mike the Rox Addict and I plan to bring our “Bring Back Helmer” signs and just as we did the first game of the year we’re going to show our support hopefully pre-game and post-game.
What we need are Helmer supporters who can make signs and show up with arm power to hold them up.
If you miss Tom and feel it is essential that Poot Warts rehire him, get your ass up, grab a sharpie, find a chunk of cardboard and go to town with your sign making skills.
Poot Warts can tune out our chanting, but it’s difficult to mute a big ass sign?
WE NEED SIGNS!!
It’s the last game of the year…It’ll be months before you even think baseball again…Lets make a day of it and show support for the “HOMEBOY”.
Do you own one of the famous “Helmer is my Homeboy” shirts? Make sure you’re wearing it Thursday.
Then when we’re all done we meet at the Blake and talk about what a great day it was.
Shout out to the “Homeboy” maybe he can make an appearance??
Leave a comment below if you’ll be there with sign in hand or wearing one of those classic Helmer shirts.
I’m ”D” The Ranter… Please…Bring Helmer back before the Cowboy starts frosting his tips.
Joel Klatt can’t Dance.
Stout…You Rock Brotha!
Rockies…Let’s steer clear of the 100 loss mark ok?
See you Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday…”D”
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