Results tagged ‘ Troy Tulowitzki ’
He’s Been Around a While…That Makes Me Smile
4/17/12
Rockies vs Padres Game 2
Older than me and making history.
My buddy “B” went with me to this game. We showed up early for batting practice and I was rewarded with my first ball of the year.
A toss-up from Dexter Fowler…Thanks Dex!
I immediately gave that ball away for good luck because if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck in my life right now. I had totally spaced out that Jamie Moyer was the starting pitcher today and when I found out that made the game a lot more interesting.
I couldn’t help but smile for the first five innings. The more I learn about Jamie Moyer the more I really enjoy watching his style of pitch. Plus anytime you hear the words Rockies and winning pitcher, believe me that’s a good thing around here :).
Here are the game pictures I took today.
Rosario gets a double.
Cuddy scores off the double.
I think once you’re past 45 you should get an extra swing at least.
Smooth sailing to first.
Smooth sailing to second.
Strike three Dex.
Seriously…Are you kidding me? I think a tumbleweed race would be more exciting.
Racing Teeth is straight up embarrassing. I can say that because I’ve raced inside a Bud Light bottle before.
If you’ve never seen it…Here’s the blog entry:
Running Full Throttle in a Bottle
Rex Brothers
Huston Street.
Here’s three pictures of Helton’s slide home.
A little closer.
Umpire says safe.
It’s always cool when my pals come up to the Rockpile and hang for a while. The best view is up here 
Rafael…The slowest of the Ninja Turtles.
Slow and steady wins the race this time, here’s the last swing of the game.
Rockies kept it together this time and helped Jamie get his record-breaking win.
You Da Man Jamie!!
I wish you many more wins as a Rockie…Sir!
Click here to see Jamie talking about it all:
Best picture I took all night.
I’m ”D” The Ranter and now I have a ticket that needs the “Oldest Winning Pitcher’s” autograph on it…”D”
Show Me Some More of that Football Score
4/11/12
Giants vs Rockies Game 2…Justice
At this point Timmy doesn’t know it but today would be the shortest start of his career.
I was more than ready for some serious batting practice today. I was shutout on opening day and that puts me behind of my one ball a game average. Just when batting practice was starting to get roll’n, mother nature let loose and put an abrupt halt to all fun.
The rain didn’t last long, but it lasted long enough that the tarp was brought out. Zip for catching baseballs this regular season so far, now I’m behind and playing catch-up and that’s no fun.
Here’s a few pre-game pictures. Props to Amy for helping me get Cuddy’s autograph on my ticket today. I was damn close to getting Helton but as I”ve mentioned before I’m an anti-magnet when it comes to Helton for some reason.
I swear I’ve gotten Helton’s autograph only 4 times in 6 years. That might seem like a lot but I go to a lot of games.
Gutherie’s first Coors Field start. Think he was a bit nervous?
Cargo drove had two triples and drove in four runs. Nice to see Cargo finally get some hits.
Check out Dan in this picture, he’s all excited and Robert’s all mellow.
Rockies set a record tonight for most runs and hits without a home run.
Check out the Todd Helton broken bat series.
Partial bat flying.
So long Timmy.
This game was exactly what I needed after that lesson by Barry Zito on Monday.
Rockies even up the series with a football score of 17-8.
I’m ”D” The Ranter and the Rockies have my full attention. Show me some more of that!
Go Rockies…”D”
Hit by a Pitch…Ain’t That a Bitch
4/1/12
Chief vs the Duece
Check out Ubaldo Jiminez tagging Troy Tulowitzki with a pitch. Then watch the benches clear.
Tulo and Chief ..Not quite a fight.
No April fools joke here, this is the real deal. To quote Rockies Skipper Jim Tracy:
”The most gutless act I’ve seen in 35 years in the game.”
Ok Jim, not sure I’d go that far, but it makes me look at Ubaldo in a new light that’s for sure…D
Jim continues…”Five days before opening day, you’re going to take a pot shot like that? It’s the worst I’ve ever seen. I’ve lost all respect for him, and that’s a very difficult thing for me to say with all the players I’ve had to manage over the years,” Tracy said. “I’ve lost all respect for him, every bit.”
Agreed…Sad, Ubaldo was a Rantic favorite 
I sense some pent up frustration in Ubaldo? Too bad we don’t get to play the Indians this year.
Click here to see Tulo’s take on the whole thing.
Raise up Rockies…It’s gonna be a long season…”D”
Next Time Put Up a Sign
3-20-12
Today I was itch’n for some batting practice.
Unfortunately the design of Peoria Sports Complex (in my experience) isn’t exactly a Ballhawk’s dream.
I know nothing of the ins and outs of the Peoria Sports Complex. All I can do is tell you about what happened on “this” particular day. It started out great, Mike and I showed up early and the Rockies were out on the field taking batting practice. For about 10 minutes it was only Mike and I watching and I kept thinking “How cool is this, it’s just us”. Seconds after that thought, Mike and I were approached by Security and were told that this was a “private” batting practice and we were in a restricted area.
I knew it was too good to be true. What sucks is it wasn’t posted anywhere that we couldn’t be there, no signs.
What Security didn’t know is Mike and I each had snagged a ball before they showed up.
After a quick departure I kept exploring and stumbled across a row of what seemed to be deserted batting cages. They looked like they were accessible to the public as there were no signs stating otherwise. I spotted a few ”easter eggs” on the ground so my happy ass wandered in there.
As I was bending over to pick up the “easter egg” I over heard some guy carrying a leaf blower say “Hey, are you supposed to be back here”.
I replied “Am I not supposed to be back here?”
Leaf blower dude says “You can’t just walk back here and pick up baseballs.”
At this point I’m embarrassed and getting irked so I said “You can wander all of the spring train facilities and pick up loose baseballs, that’s exactly what I’m doing until you just informed me I wasn’t supposed to be here.”
Leafblower dude agreed, backed off me and I continued to wander, just not by the batting cages. Had I not stopped and tried to pick up the baseball, Leaf blower dude probably would have ignored me and kept blowing…My eager bad.
Peoria…If you don’t want me in there exploring…PUT UP A SIGN.
We continued our search for batting practice and all we found were locked gates.
Look at this spot. If the gate were unlocked you could snag baseballs from both fields.
Nope big lock on there. Same with the next one. What a beautiful spot, wasted.
At this point it’s over an hour before game time and we’re forced to stand and hope for foul balls.
Sorry Peoria but that’s lame. We knew for a fact there would be no batting practice inside so the one ball I managed to snag from the Rockies “private” batting practice would be the only one of the day. I hate that
On a very cool note, we ran into Huston Street and he autographed a ball and posed for a picture.
Time to head into the Stadium.
Here’s Mike the Rox Addict proving he’s a rebel.
Still bummed at the lack of batting practice Mike and I decided to take our chances at the pitching cages.
I call this set “Been caught stealing”
Still determined to take another baseball home from this place I gave this bad boy a shot.
It wouldn’t budge and I couldn’t find a crow bar.
Eventually I wandered over to the Rockies dugout. The first player out to warm-up was “The Duece”
Duece warmed up for a few minutes then exited without signing for anyone. That didn’t faze me, what fazed me was a few minutes later Duece came out and signed for everyone in the front row including me, on the sweet spot.
Thanks Tulo!
Here’s a few pictures of the Rockies pregame.
Here’s Pacheco and EY Jr flashing the Ranter sign.
Again this game I didn’t take any action shots in hopes of catching a game home run. In hindsight, I should have taken the pictures.
Check out the Rox Addict’s blog if you’d like to see some of the action shots.
Rockies lose to the Padres 10-6.
So the day was a bust. Well not totally, look what I managed to snag. I looked but I didn’t see a sign saying I couldn’t take it.
We left it parked at the In n Out Burger.
Damn good burger.
I’m “D” The Ranter and maybe it’s just me but Peoria seemed kinda stingy with their baseballs.
Snagged His First Game Ball…Green Hat and All.
3-17-12
Dodgers vs Rockies…Salt River Fields
“D” in the Desert
This day started out exactly the way I like it. We showed up early and were greeted with two Diamondback batting practices.
As I said there were two BP’s today and during the second one it was just Mike, Dan and I snagg’n. It was game on and I snagged eight baseballs.
I live for days like that.
Behind where we were snagg’n baseballs was a six foot fence lined with barbed wire. Several of the BP homers hit bounced on the road and landed on the other side of the fence. I looked but couldn’t see a way to get over the fence and snag those baseballs so I forgot about them.
Next thing I know I see Mike walking up to me with a handful of baseballs. Mike found a weak spot in the fence and was able to get through it and snag those stranded baseballs. He also found a couple of balls that were missed hidden in the bushes.
For that bit of top-notch snagging I think Mike deserves an award.
I’m awarding Mike the first annual:
”Robert Harmon Award for Creative Ballhawking”
To quote Robert “Baseballs do grow on trees”. Mike proved that.
The Rockies decided to take their BP in the cages…it figures.
Here’s “The Deuce”, caged and protected from his adoring fans.
Jordan Pacheco
Chris Nelson was kind enough to sign a baseball for me.
Here are some inside the stadium pictures pre-game.
I headed over to the Dodgers side to try to get Mark Ellis to sign the live game ball he tossed me last season but I never saw Mark on the field pre-game. As the Usher was scooting us away after the National Anthem Andre Ethier walked up to the edge of the dugout and started signing for folks.
I waited and Andre signed my baseball last.
He signed it on the sweet spot for me, I didn’t even have to ask.
Thanks Andre!
When I see Captain Earthman I know all is as it should be as far as baseball is concerned.
The crew out on the berm. Check out Mikes hat.
Tulo’s Bobble.
Charlie
Former Rockie Mark Ellis.
In the sixth inning Wilin Rosario hit foul ball along the first base line. The new owner of that baseball was none other than my partner in crime down here in Phoenix…Mike the Rox Addict.
Mike gave away his first ever game ball to Mary the Usher because it was her birthday.
Here’s Mike pictured with Mary on TV…Classy move Mike
As much as we wanted a win to cap off one hell of a day it wasn’t happening.
Padres get the win over the Rockies 9-6.
I’m ”D” The Ranter, feel’n fine but running a bit behind.
Next blog entry…Rangers vs Brewers Maryvale Baseball Park.
Rockies Fest 4…Now There’s More
1/19/2012
It’s almost that time of the year again.
That day towards the end of January where hardcore Rockies fans get to walk around the innards of Coors Field like they bought and paid for the place. In years past tickets to this event were cherished and have been difficult to obtain. I mean seriously how often does the average Joe get the opportunity to poke his head inside the humidor or meander through the Rockies locker room and see how messy the Deuce’s locker is?
My thing is I like to covertly toss my Ranter cards into the players lockers . No players have ever contacted me from that move, but it’s fun and kind of a ritual now for me.
Is this your first time going? Check out the previous Rockies Fests.
Here’s last years 2011 Rockies Fest blog entry…. Rockies Fest 3
Heres the 2010 Rockies Fest blog entry…. Rockies Fest 2
And I was at the first one too but WordPress lost that blog entry for me.
Anyways, the Rockies have broadened what Rockies Fest is this year. For the past three years Rockies Fest was a season ticket holder only event. This year being what the Rockies call “The Year of the Fan” the powers who be added an extra day to the event and now non-season ticket holders can enjoy the experience for only…
Here I am blessing Coors Field in 2011
Here I am Blessing Coors Field in 2010
I’ve decided not to Bless Coors Field this year.
I’m not mad or anything it’s just that it hasn’t worked. I will however be Tebowing from that exact spot. You ask why? Well I Tebowed in a bottle suit in the north end zone at Mile High Stadium and the Broncos advanced to the playoffs.
I figure it can’t hurt right?
I’m “D” The Ranter and I’d like to welcome Jamie Moyer and thank him for making a middle aged guy feel young
See you at Rockies Fest on Saturday…“D”
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. 
Boo Hoo Blue…That’s Two
6-10-11
DODGERS VS ROCKIES GAME 2
Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:51.
Att: 32,116.
When you wake up and you’re still amped from the previous night’s game I consider that a call to action.
Lots of things going on today. Rockies are up in this four game series by one game, I’m hang’n with the kids, and Zack Hample(The Professor of Snag) is in town for the four game Dodgers series.
The kids and I were third to get in line at the gate and as we were waiting in the hot sun I noticed Zack hobbling up to our gate sport’n crutches and a huge ankle boot. Immediately I felt sorry for him as I myself had spent a good 10 days getting to know the boot and I’m still wearing an ankle brace.
We chatted a bit, and I offered him a place in line but Zack had pre-arranged to have someone hold him a spot. Smart, I had no idea? Anyways I’ll spare you the story of the Coors Field regular who cut in front of us then tried to play like he didn’t. After a brief exchange of words it’s my guess is he wont ever cut in front of the kids and I again . I’ll spare you a picture of him as he’s an ugly SOB.
Zack signed a few books before we entered the gates and he and I arranged to meet up after BP so he could sign my book too. Here’s my copy of Zack’s new book. Fantastic read, with two Coors Field Rantics actually in-between the covers.
Dan and Robert
Here’s Zack’s inscription along with his current ball count at the time of the inscription.
Batting practice today was a good time for the kids and I. Each of them snagged two baseballs which is a good thing because then there’s no argument over who has more ..Photo by LUVMYROX.
Me, I really only had play on one ball. It was hit directly to me and I realized it was going to land slightly short of the outfield wall. I leaned over and down as far as I could and as the ball landed perfectly in my glove, until…. Ramon Troncoso slapped his glove down and knocked it out of my hand.
In past experiences most players at this point will pick up the ball and toss it back to the bucket cause there’s no luv for the guy who loses a ball right?
Not this time, guess he felt sorry for me and he tossed it up to me, that kind gesture from a Dodger made my day.
Ramon Troncoso, nice guy.
Here’s my picture show from this game starting with the first pitch of the game.
All pictures were taken from the Rockpile. This one of the kids and I and my buddy Scott was taken by LUVMYROX.
Rockies newbie Charlie Blackmon.
Here’s Dan giving away two pavilion tickets to a couple of random folks in the Rockpile. Pretty Cool!!
Not only is this guy wearing a pink shirt but he was trying to start the wave. Did he not see the commercial?
The one, the only… Drugless Douglas. 
Missy showing off her freshly autographed Don Mattingly jersey.
Cool reflection of the scoreboard along the first baseline.
The Tulo home run picture series.
Getting ready to land.
The ball bounces off the dude in the pink shirt. What is it with pink shirts this game?
He looks for it. 
But this dude retrieves “The Duece’s” circular souvenir.
The Professor of Snag…Zack Hample.
Tom Helmer giving the Rantic kids some post-game Luv along with…..
some of the bigger Rantics, Gary X and Mike the Rox Addict.
Just as the game was ending it started to rain. Dodgers gave it a good run in the 9th but Rockies get their second win of this four game series with a final score of 6-5.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter.
I may not be… “King of the Blogosphere”.
But I’m King here:)…D
A TeePee and a Sore Knee
Mets vs Rockies
Weather: 71 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:35 (:50 delay) for rain and hail
Att: 31,007.
Back at Coors after a not so great road trip.
The sky was ugly but it was warm. I’ll take warm anytime. Batting practice was better than usual for me today and I snagged three ground rule doubles. The first one I’m pretty sure was from Chris Iannetta and as it bounced into the first row I barehanded it.
The second bounced over Robert and Geoff”s head and I had a better spot in the tunnel which put me there first.
The third was a really nice catch off the bounce. All three were given away.
Today I discovered a “Purple Margarita”
It’s not often I drink something purple but I’ll admit it was pretty good.
Rockies were down two nothing in the second until “The Duece let loose with the juice”
Tulo hits a beauty off of Pelfrey. 
The Right field crowd realizing the baseball is headed their way.
If you look closely in-between the railing you can see Tulo’s homer.
Then the mad scramble for it.
All you can see here is a hand with a watch holding a ball.
In reality the dude with the black shirt and black hat snagged the ball and his little girl is holding it.
Not long after Seth Smith does the same thing.
You can see Smith’s homerun ball top of the picture in the middle.
All I can say is if that was my wiener I’d be treating it a little better…Can you say condiments?
But totally bobbles the second one…They boo-ed him…LOL
The Coors Field “Crack of the Game”.
-CCCCCHHHHHH
Not to be outdone Cargo gets his first homerun at Coors this year in the sixth inning.
You can see Cargo’s homerun just above the yellow line on the right side. On the left side of this picture you can see Douglas cheering.
In the seventh inning with Dexter Fowler at bat the game gets delayed for rain and depending on where you were sitting…hail.
Check out the hail.
Out comes the tarp. Notice there are eight guys in the picture.
Now how many do you see?
Here’s the dude just before he gets completely covered.
The groundkeeper stuck here under the tarp looks like a Teepee. Guys remind you of anything in the morning?
Here he is making his exit to a cheering crowd.
After fifty minutes they removed the sand bags, folded up the tarp and Dexter Fowler was back up to bat. 
Dexter fouled one off his knee and goes down quick.
Dexter exited the game and Ryan Spilborghs took his spot.
Here are some random pics.
Jon Herrera daring someone to cross this line.
I call this set of pictures:
“Hawaii Bob doin his Job”
“Excuse me sir may I see your tickets?”
“Sir these are Rockpile tickets. You’re sitting in the wrong section”
Hawaii Bob gives them the boot and sends them on their way with a smile.
Ian Stewart broken bat series.
Cheers to you Jersey Geoff.
Best jacket of the game 
Mets take this one 4-3. I hate losing to the Mets at home.
Mike…The Rox Addict standing tall in the Homeboy Hangout.
Mark, Tracy and Tom Post Game.
Other than Mike, Robert and I, these were really the only other Rockies fans hanging out after this loss.
That got us a little TV time. Thank you Joy for sending me this.
The first time I’ve ever heard the words Rockpile Ranter uttered on Television and it’s followed by the Cowboy saying I’ve got fleas and Tom saying I’ve got ants in my pants.
No worries, you get what you get when you’re a white boy and you shake your groove thing on TV.
You can expect a different dance now every time the Rockies lose and Mike and I are there postgame
Cheer on your Rockies, believe me you don’t wanna see us dance.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and this is the purple mohawk dude.
We both agree, it’s time for the Rockies to get a grip and stop this slip….D
Cold is the Word…This One’s a Frozen T-urd
4/29/11 Pirates vs Rockies Game 1
Weather: 53 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 16 mph, In from RF.
T: 2:37.
Att: 34,477
Today was supposed to be the warm game of this series, not so much.
Batting practice was a good time today. I ran into Joy and Jim and Keelan and I snagged two baseballs. The first was a BP homerun off of Troy Tulowitzki and the second was a BP homer hit by a Pirate that took a nice bounce off the bleachers and rebounded back to me.
Both were given away to tiny Rockies fans.
Dan has a video of the catch and I’ll upload it as soon as it’s available.
A few degrees colder and the Hosers would have been making snow.
Really guys shorts?? It’s the cold and flu season.
Just before the game started I met up with my friends Scott and Ruth, both huge Rockies fans and we watched this nipple hardner from the Rockpile.
Here’s George and Drew of ROOT SPORTS set up by the Tequila Bar.
Here’s Bob Apodaca thinking warm thoughts.
Though McCutchin may have broken his bat here.
In the third inning he hit a homer off of Chacin and put the first run on the board.
This guy is dangerous.
To quote Robert, “McCutchin is one of the few players who makes Dexter Fowler look slow”.
It was a strange bat day, here’s a floating bat.
Here’s Cargo breaking his bat too. I’ve never taken two broken bat pictures in one game.
Cold weather definately takes its toll on wooden bats. 
Dude just snagged a game foul ball.
OUT !
I have always wanted to take pictures of it snowing inside Coors Field. I call this one….
“Tulo in the Snow”
Watch the expression (or lack thereof) from the dude holding the shovel.
I love what I do
This was an extremely cold and uneventful game, the wind was the kicker.
Clint Hurdle’s Pirates get the win over the Rockies 3-0. Chacin did a pretty good job as far as I was concerned despite the loss. I plan to be much better prepared for tomorrow’s game.
Tulo’s stuck at 99 homeruns and I’ll be sitting front row in left field.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and the Cold is gett’n Old.
Photo courtsey of Mike the Rox Addict
I’m on the search for the NEW Mobile Blogging Unit…I think I may have found it.
C’mon Rockies, it’s the Pirates at Coors…Let’s take this series…D
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