The Colorado Rockies

There is only one substantial problem with the Rockies’ recent rise to prominence. Whenever I think of the Rockies, their recent postseason runs, “Rocktober,” or heck, even when I think of night baseball at Coors Field, I think of the Dane Cook-narrated “Theres only ONE October” commercials that ran ad nauseam in 2007. And I strongly dislike Dane Cook. He contributes very little to humanity and now, to top it all off, his inane narration and appearance in those otherwise decent commercials has robbed me of the ability to enjoy the Rockies success. Maybe the next time the Rockies figure prominently in the postseason, MLB will get Morgan Freeman to narrate its pump-up ads.

The Rockies of 2009 were a good, though not great, team. They benefited from playing in the NL West with 2 teams (Arizona and San Diego) for whom winning proved exceedingly difficult and in a National League which saw its biggest spenders (Cubs and Mets) self-immolate. They took advantage of that situation and made the playoffs as a wildcard before bowing out to the eventual NL champion Phillies in the Division Series. While there are some notable changes going into 2010, the key pieces from last season remain mostly in place. Always a good sign going into a new season.

The Skipper

After limping out of the gate last season, the Rockies’ brass canned manager Clint Hurdle, with whom most of the baseball-following world had become familiar in 2007, and replaced him with ex-Dodger head man Jim Tracy. The team performed noticeably better under Tracy. Matter of style or strategy? Likely not. Baseball Prospectus points out that the marked turnaround under Tracy may have resulted from his willingness to put a slightly different cast of characters in the lineup. Hurdle was wedded to the players who had taken the club to the World Series 2 seasons previous. As a newcomer to the Rockies, Tracy had no such handicaps and his slight lineup tweaks (Ian Stewart regularly at 3rd, Seth Smith in the outfield) coincided with a turnaround in the team’s 2009 fortunes.

The Moundsmen

A discussion of the Rockies players beginning with its pitching? Surely I jest. But no. The Rockies have assembled a competent crew of hurlers who will be at the center of any success they are to have this season. Staff Ace Ubaldo Jimenez won 15 games in 2009 while posting a sub-3.50 ERA and striking out almost a hitter per inning pitched. The departure of Jason Marquis leaves Aaron Cook and his 27 wins over the past 2 seasons as the likely number 2 starter. Lefty Jorge delaRosa and control artist Jason Hammel each posted double digit win totals a season ago. Rounding out the rotation, and rising to its top if the dreams of many Rockies fans come true, will be former staff ace Jeff Francis who missed last season after shoulder surgery. If he is close to healthy, he more than makes up for Jason Marquis departing for Washington, DC. Francis, as anyone who cares to turn back the clock to 2007 may recall, won a cool 17 games 3 years ago.

There is less cause for joy in the bullpen, but, certainly nothing to panic about either. Closer Huston Street threw well in 2009, walking fewer and striking out more hitters than in previous campaigns. To get to Street, Colorado will trust late innings to Manny Corpas, whose ERA has yet to approach his eye-catching 2007 numbers, but, 2007 WAS pretty special all around for the Rockies. Rafael Betancourt came over last season from Cleveland for the stretch run and will share setup duties with Corpas and a group of pitchers whose ERAs orbit the mid-4's with planet-like precision: Franklin Morales, Matt Daley, and youngster Esmil Rogers.

Mile High Swingers

Todd Helton, long the face of the Rockies franchise, brought his batting average back up over .300 last season after it took a one year sabbatical in the land of average players otherwise known as the .260s. Helton's power stroke is not what it once was, but, he still gets on base at over a .400 clip, hits doubles, and drives in runs. The distinction of being the new face of the Rockies offense probably goes to shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who, tell me if this is sounding like a theme, rebounded last year from a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2008, and walloped 32 homers and batted nearly .300. All outfielder Carlos Gonzalez did last year was slug .525in a little more than half of a big league season, leading many to conclude that he's an all-star in the making.

Brad Hawpe returns and will almost certainly beat out Seth Smith for the starting gig in right field. Hawpe, unlike alot of his teammates,had his 2008 funk last into 2009. But, at age 31, Hawpe still has plenty iin the tank. Dexter Fowler brings incredible outfield range, base-stealing ability, and an improving approach at the plate for getting on base. He should be the everyday centerfielder again. Ian Stewart mashed 25 homers last year; he will play 3rd for Jim Tracy again this year.

In case anyone is nostalgic for AL All-Star teams from early last decade, the Rockies will have a bench much to your liking. After providing a lefty pinch hitting bat for the team's postseason run last season, Jason Giambi returns to Denver this spring as a primary pinch hitting option. He will be joined on the bench, and almost certainly on the training table, by Melvin Mora, who after a miserable 2009 season is looking to show that he is not finished as a big-league hitter. There was a time when Melvin Mora was fleet of foot. After many years of wear and tear and several years of getting more puffy in appearance, Mora, like Giambi, will be of most use in the batters box rather than in the field or on the basepaths.


Parting Shots

The Rockies made the playoffs in 1995 as a 3rd year expansion team owing largely to the National League’s unfamiliarity with playing in thin air, a lineup of hulking ball-mashers, and, well, enough good luck to grab a wild card in a strike-shortened season. They rode an ungodly winning streak to the playoffs in 2007 and last season won a berth based on a torrid 2nd half of the season. A winning season in 2010 will not require the same series of furtnate events that propelled them into October in 1995, they just have to follow their recent formula, play solid baseball, and get hot at the right time.