Thursday, February 29, 2008

One of the things you occasionally hear from pitchers in Spring Training, particularly after a sub par performance, is that they were "just working on a certain pitch," or "just working on location."  I asked Jeff Francis yesterday and Matt Herges today if that was the case.  Francis said plain and simple that whenever he takes the mound, whether its Spring Training or in the regular season, he's "trying to get people out."  He did allow that certain pitches may not have the finish they'll hopefully have 4-5 weeks down the road.  Herges echoed those sentiments after working an inning at Hi Corbett, adding that he still gets butterflies even in a spring game, and even with the knowledge he has a guaranteed deal.  Pride - when you have that, it matters very little if you're competing in June or in this case, February.

You gotta love Spring Training, Reason # 345:  All it takes after nine innings and a tie game, is a little wave from one manager to another, and the game is over, get on the bus, go home with a tie, and shed no tears.  It's like your slow-pitch softball beer league: when the keg is empty, the game is history.  In Spring Training, when the pitching runs out, it's time to call it a day.

Marcus Giles has a lot of character in him, both figuratively and literally. We were talking the other day about high school football - where both he and brother Brian were standouts in the San Diego area - when he shared a post-career wish with me.  When their baseball days are done, the Giles brothers plan on purchasing about 25 sets of football equipment so they can periodically put the pads on with old friends and get after it.  He plans on hiring a couple refs, work on plays, etc.  I told him not to forget a trainer or two!  Giles in his current occupation had a good day at the plate, with a couple of hits including a long double to center. 

Kid to watch down the road:  former top pick Chris Nelson had a solid single to the opposite field this afternoon at Hi Corbett.  He's a good looking player with several tools who really came on last year at High A Modesto, hitting .289 with 19 homers and 99 RBIs.  He also had 27 stolen bases in 32 attempts while playing every day at shortstop.   

Wednesday Morning, February 27, 2008

Back in Tucson for a few days..

So the games begin on Wednesday - well, the exhibition games - and when you include split-squad games, there are around thirty opportunities to wither in the desert heat, get fully ready for the season, or win a big league job.  The latter is the situation for Jason Nix, a former supplemental first round pick out of Midland, Texas.  The way he carries himself shows that he believes he's ready, and the way he has been embraced by the veterans on the team suggests they believe he is ready as well.  Now begins the process of performing well, not just in drills on a back field, but in game situations with folks in the stands. 

Speaking of "being embraced by veteran teammates," (using the phrase "veteran teammates" still sounds strange other than in reference to Helton) I saw a picture in the paper the other day of Ryan Spilborghs, Garrett Atkins, Cory Sullivan, Willy Taveras and Dexter Fowler at the Accenture World Match Play following Tiger Woods.  A great example of some established Major League players taking along a future Rockie in the talented Fowler who is probably ticketed for Tulsa, but one day may move ahead of one or all of the outfielders he was hanging with.  I have mentioned it before but "chemistry" is a very powerful intangible, and the players around the game recognize the kind of closeness that Colorado enjoys.

Wednesday Late Afternoon, February 27, 2008

Brilliant sunshine, temperature hovering in the upper 70's, beer (for some), hot dogs, sunscreen, and the rest of the familiar trappings that suggest a ballgame is in close proximity.  The Cactus League opener was contested at Tucson Electric Park as the White Sox hosted the Rockies. 

We'd be remiss if we didn't note from the outset of this piece that Colorado has begun another streak, they won 7-3.  Whether this streak rivals that one from last autumn remains to be seen.  What I can say without equivocation is that it was wonderful to see a game again, complete with the National Anthem, balls and strikes, and cat calls from the stands.  There also seemed to be as many Rockies fans as ChiSox fans.  Everybody loves a winner!  The players looked enthused to play the game they adore again, to begin the march toward Opening Day and hopefully another historic season that finishes with another beer and champagne bath.

The Rockies rolled out what could very well be their Opening Day lineup with Jeff Francis on the mound and Jayson Nix at second base.  Nix handled a few chances without incident.  He showed range up the middle, easily grabbing a ground ball with a backhand stab and recovered on a line shot he knocked down to record the out at first.  At the plate he struck out in his first appearance and then drew a pair of walks.  He plays with confidence and a belief that he belongs, buoyed by his strong Triple-A second half and his MVP performance in the World Cup of Baseball.

Troy Tulowitzki didn't wait very long to make another statement by hitting a long home run to left on his first swing of the spring.  Tulo is an interesting guy.  At 23, surrounded by the likes of Helton and Holliday and Atkins, he is recognized as the team's leader.  His fire and competitiveness is contagious, and a game in February doesn't seem to mean any less than one in April as you watch how he moves about the field.  Case in point: Francis was in a jam in the second and you look up and there's Tulo picking up the rosin bag and saying something  of encouragement/motivation to Francis.  A pitch or two later and the Rockies are in the dugout. In a time and a profession where we are rather cavalier in tossing about reverential pronouncements, Tulo is the real deal - a kid who doesn't shy from the mantel of leadership and enjoys his role of demonstratively finding a path to victory.

I saw something that's probably impossible to see anywhere else this spring unless they quickly rebuild the old Polo Grounds with its nearly 500' center field - Matt Holliday hitting a 450' double.  Holliday hit a monstrous line drive to dead center where it ricocheted high off the 30-foot batters eye.  The batters eye is in play at Tucson Electric, so Matt settled for one of the longest two baggers you'll ever see.

A couple of kids saw action as well, and performed well.  Future center fielder Dexter Fowler, an engaging Georgian ticketed for Tulsa, had a pair of singles.  And another name to remember, Michael McKenry, ripped a double.  McKenry is a stocky catcher who was the team's seventh round pick out of Middle Tennessee State in 2006 and hit 22 home runs in Asheville last year.  He plays with energy and athleticism both offensively and defensively.  McKenry is from Knoxville, a town the Rockies have had some success in finding talent (see Helton, Todd).

So one practice game into 2008, Colorado is 1-0...winning still beats losing, even in February. 

February 20, 2008

Brad Andress doesn't get much media attention during the season, and I'm sure even many of the most ardent Rockies fans may be wondering, who is that?  He is the Rockies Strength Coach and he has held that position for a number of years.  He also is the lone left-hander to throw batting practice on the road - that is, when he's not filling his role as master motivator. 

Brad is a philosophical, humorous, imposing figure who played on the offensive line during his football career at Penn State.  His booming voice welcomes the team each morning as they do their stretches prior to taking the field, but he's also among the last voices many rookies want to hear. 

On a daily basis, Brad will instruct various rookies to “perform” a talent for their teammates during stretching - Cory Sullivan doing Frank Sinatra, Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart “ballroom dancing” were some of the more memorable acts in recent years. 

This year, 2007’s number one draft pick, Casey Weathers, has been directed to carry a red carpet wherever he goes (since stars walk red carpets).  During stretches this morning, while standing on the top stair of a five-foot ladder (the stage), Weathers listened as Andress asked Brian Fuentes if he had his equipment bag.  Fuentes replied that he did not.   "Weathers!” bellowed Andress.  “You forgot Tito's bag!"  Weathers promptly descended the ladder and hustled off, only to be called back for forgetting the red carpet. 

While Weathers was running to the clubhouse red carpet in hand, Andress called to another rookie, Pedro Strop - a young pitcher who was presumably enjoying his first big league camp till now - "Pedro, please sing the Dominican National Anthem for the team." 

Strop, who has an engaging, youthful smile, started his rendition only to be quickly interupted by Andress. 

"I need your big boy voice!  How do you say “big boy voice” in Spanish?" 

Strop was a good sport as he tried diligently to get through the song while battling cat calls, laughter, his own giggling and memory loss when it came to some of the words. 

That is a very typical start to a Spring Training day in Rockies camp.  It seems to add to the camaraderie and put the players in a good frame of mind as they hit the fields.

Franklin Morales threw his first bullpen of the spring after having several wisdom teeth extracted recently.  And I had an interesting conversation with Brad Hawpe about the Rockies run late last year.  It was part of an interview for a program called "21 Days" that will air on FSN Rocky Mountain in mid-March.  Hawpe, like many of his teammates, enjoyed reliving some of the moments from September and October.  He said he used the fact that the team came up short in the World Series as a big motivator during winter workouts, and then he added that visiting about it now was getting him fired up for today's workout.  It’s that common theme of "unfinished business" so often heard among teams that come up just short and, to a man, it seems to be prevalent in Rockies camp this spring.

I have noticed a few more autograph seekers than in past years at the same juncture of Spring Training.  I suppose it’s another sign of respect, though after perusing a few of those preseason magazines, it’s still obvious this club hasn't convinced everyone that it has arrived as a contender.  No problem - I'm sure it provides further motivation...

February 19, 2008

One of the first things visitors to the Rockies Spring Training home in Tucson will notice that is different from years past is the signage that welcomes them.  Instead of “Home of the Colorado Rockies,” it now rightfully proclaims “Home of the 2007 NL Champion Colorado Rockies.”  It’s a subtle reminder of the frenzied and historic finish that is still fairly fresh in the mind.  The calendar, as Clint Hurdle pointed out, "does not lie," but the winter was unmistakably shorter for players, coaches and the people that cover the team.  It’s a tradeoff for October success that is welcome every year.

Clint met with the media for about twenty minutes after the second official workout of the spring (pitchers and catchers only, though virtually every position player is already in camp and working out on a less formal basis).  There were two noteworthy comments for me.  One spoke to the new status of the club and the other to Hurdle's sense of humor and his understanding of personal priorities.  He unequivocally stated that the Rockies are looking to produce "four more wins" in 2008.  This is a contrast to years past where team goals were more understated, even intrinsic, with frequent mentions of making strides “in the process.”  Enough strides have been made that thoughts and desires to be the last one standing in the autumn can be declared with a straight face, and received by the media gathering without raised eyebrows.  The other thought from the Rockies witty manager that drew laughter was when he was asked if he was going to relax the rest of the day.  "Some people need a caffeine shot to start their day.  I need two Red Bulls when I go home to keep up with Maddy and Christian!"  I think all parents can relate...

On the field, I did notice that Jeff Baker looked comfortable, nimble and very athletic, working a couple of double play drills with the other second basemen.  Baker worked diligently on footwork in the winter to help him compete at a position he's never played before.

There is always a freshness to the spring, a focus among the players that is somewhat veiled by the relaxed atmosphere of February and March - a contrast to the marathon of 162 games.  There are the genuine smiles, the rookie hazing during stretching, and the affection on display among a group that is close knit and enjoying the fraternity of a locker room once again.  It is fact that this is a time of year that spawns optimistic statements from every camp in the game - some with merit, many others made for the simple reason that optimism is easy in the midst of palm trees when it’s winter everywhere else.  But in the Rockies case, they run their foul poles and pick groundballs with the knowledge that they are one of six teams to win 90 games or more last year, and one of two that was still playing as the leaves departed the trees.  And did I mention that Tuesday in Tucson was a cloudless, beautiful spring day?

February 2, 2008
The measure of a good time always seems to be gauged by the speed in which the clock moves.  Once again Rockies Fantasy Camp has come to an end all too quickly, though truth be told, I don't know how many healthy bodies would be available to take the field tomorrow. 

Some laundry…

Congratulations to Rick Mathews and Jason Hirsh, as their club Can of Corn captured the 2008 title with a slick 2-1 victory over The Road Hogs.  Sadly, veteran Russ Elliot who played well, is now 1-6 in championship games.  Camp MVP Rodney Morrill helped lead the Can of Corn, while fellow rookie and brother, Craig, twirled a two hitter.  Bob Von Eschen, in his 10th year, enjoyed a nice title game with his first career extra base hit!

The awards banquet was highlighted by Alan Czarnowsky suprising Clint Hurdle with a 2007 National League Manager of the Year trophy which received a standing ovation from the entire camp.  A great idea by Alan and well deserved.

By the way, our team got bageled...0-6...it’s sure to be an off season of player and management moves, so stay tuned.  I'll be in the batting cage hoping the phone rings.

One footnote:  The campers vs. coaches game went 24 innings, not that it was tied or anything after nine, but eight teams were guaranteed 3 innings each.  Talent got in the way of a tight affair....Coaches 40...Campers 2.

Thanks again to Jason Fleming and his staff, Clint and his staff, and the Rockies organization on another tremendous Fantasy Camp - one that now draws Rockies fans from all over the country and even England (kudos to Kevin Bonner).

Till next year....Stay well, train hard! 

January 31, 2008

A big shout out to my one reader courageous enough to admit that she reads the blog, Louise Hurdle.  Thank you, Louise, tell all of your friends...well maybe you should reconsider that.

Thursday night was an historic one at Rockies Fantasy Camp.  While the rest of the evening’s slate was complete, there was still a game being contested on Field 3 between the 0-4 Marvelous Ones (my team) and the 1-3 Rockettes.  In some circles it was referred to as the "toilet bowl," but I prefer to view both teams as late blooming.  Somehow the game had gotten slightly away from the Marvelous Ones, as we headed to the final inning down a few runs.  A slim margin to overcome, nothing a small earthquake and an infusion of big league talent couldn't overcome, not to mention divine intervention. 

And then it all started happening, innocently of course - a hit, a walk, an error…alright, several errors, numerous walks and questionable defensive range led to the first half dozen runs.  Walt Weiss went to the mound and attempted to prop up his wilting pitcher, while casually gazing at an empty bullpen, and the rest of his position players who quickly averted his gaze.  Another pair of walks, a few well placed bloops, and voila, a few more runs. 

The commissioner, Clint Hurdle, had now taken an interest, not wanting to miss one of the potentially greatest comebacks in camp history.  Amid fan disbelief and the commish's razzing of Weiss and co-manager Mike Gallego, three more runs stumbled across home plate. Stumbled is a literal term in this case, not a figurative one.  Weiss was forced to make a move, opting to put his original starter on the hill.  An out was finally recorded, but then a bleeder, a Texas Leaguer, a Southern Leaguer and an Arizona Fall Leaguer dropped, and the Rockettes lead narrowed further.  Weiss and Gallego looked on in disbelief. 

Another out followed by two more hits, and then the tying run came to the plate.  Groundball to third, not handled, and the tying run was aboard.  A swinging-miss-hit sandwedge and the tying run moved to scoring position.  Second and third with two outs.  This is where the story failed to follow the Disney script:  groundball to short where the steady hands of Tara Harbert fielded the ball cleanly and calmly threw to first to end the drama.

It’s not on many ball fields around the country that you get to witness a ninth inning rally of 15 runs that still somehow is just enough to get you beat by two.  Final score 25-23, and the Marvelous Ones fall further into the cellar at 0-5.  From champs a year ago to pre-camp favorites to winless thus far.  I'm going to try and shower this one off like all the others, but I'm honestly in a foul mood.   I hope the reporters don't bury me in the morning rags for refusing comment after the game.

January 31, 2008

I’ve been around baseball for awhile, but here was a dugout line I had not heard prior, courtesy of roving instructor Marv Foley in reference to the opposing pitcher:  "Let’s cloud up and rain all over this guy."

The day began with Kangaroo Court in which fines were doled out to the campers.  It’s always interesting seeing grown men and women fined for offenses like leaving equipment on the field or, believe it or not, forgetting their wallets in the clubhouse.  That’s not to mention the funny and sometimes unbelievable stuff that takes place on the field.  I know I'm going to get significantly razzed in our banquet Friday when they play the camp video.  The cameras unfortunately caught my “slide" into third on a triple...well, it started as a slide, till I caught a spike and then it became a tumble of sorts.  Hurdle will enjoy that one to no end - nothing misses the commissioner’s eyes.

Run production is down in this, the 11th Rockies Fantasy Camp.  Reason number one, two and three is wood bats.  Professional players hate the 'ping' sound that aluminum bats make.  Quite frankly, though it’s much easier to hit with the aluminum, in the interest of the purity of the game, wood is the way to go. After all, fantasy camp is supposed to closely replicate the big leagues.  Suffice it to say though, the old bat budget is being shattered (pun intended).

One of the great features of Rockies Fantasy Camp and usually a very entertaining time are the "Bull" sessions where the campers can ask the staff of Clint, the coaches and big league players anything that’s on their minds.  This is a place where quite a few stories that would normally be either untold or “off the record” seem to materialize.  One bit of humor last night that can be retold was Mike Gallego recounting a game he played in with Oakland.  Now Mike has a great deadpan delivery, almost Steven Wright-ish.  He's also very self-deprecating about his offensive ability as a player.  "One night in Kansas City, I got a rare chance to start and I'm having a great evening at the plate - I'm one for three with a single."  And before Mike could continue amid the laughter, Jamie Quirk jumps in with, "You meant to say 'great week' at the plate"...more laughter.

I will sleep well tonight.  I need a quick recovery of my slightly strained hamstring.  But I speak for most of us when I report that we are still upright, moving a little though a lot slower than two days ago.  The training room at the end of the day now resembles a Manhattan noon-hour deli counter!  Keith Dugger, Scott Gehret and Scotty Murayama provide the TLC with a smile. It’s like athletic triage for them. Rockies Fantasy Camp fact of the day:  the trainers go through more ice in five days of fantasy camp then they will in nearly 50 days of spring training!

Gotta go, grabbing an ice bag and heading to the park for another doubleheader and hopefully that elusive first "W."

January 29, 2008

Here is one thing you should understand about fantasy camp:  it’s about laughter, it’s about camaraderie, it’s about baseball and a shared love of the game, but let’s not mistake anything – it’s also about winning...because winning always beats the you know what out of losing.  Last year, after finishing second two years in a row, I was fortunate to win the fantasy camp championship!  This year we were selected by co-managers Marv Foley and Ryan Spilborghs along with Commissioner Clint Hurdle as the camp favorites at 3:1.  Clint has done a tremendous job as manager of the Rox the last few years, however I think his talent evaluation on “the Marvelous ones" may be slightly off - in today’s game, we had some control issues on the hill and blew a late lead to Jim Wright and Alan Cockrell's team.

It should be noted that camp participation is at an all-time high with more than 90 campers making up 8 teams.  Pitching, like it is at the big league level, will be at a premium!  Clint started the day at Hi Corbett field with an explanation of what was expected and what wasn't.  For instance, no longer do the campers carry the burden of setting the tone for the Rockies season.  As Clint said, the Major League club is in pretty good shape. 

Clint then went on to explain to everyone exactly how you put your laundry on the “loop” for easy return service from the clubhouse attendants.  ****eemingly simple as this task should be for grown men and women (yes, seven ladies are participating), from past experience I know there will be a number of fines doled out in the morning session of Kangaroo Court - fines for messing up on the laundry loops, fines for wearing a left handed helmet to the plate as a right handed hitter, fines for bizarre and unusual behavior.  One of my all time favorite fines was for the two players who decided to pass themselves off as real players and sign autographs for a few fans who couldn't distinguish between big league talent and little league talent!

Though as a competitor I'm not pleased with the 0-1 start and my so-so mound performance, the day was not a total loss - I'm injury free through the first day which is no small accomplishment in fantasy camp! 

Before I adjourn to rest my tired limbs, I’d like to give a big shout out to Rockies employee Jason Fleming and his staff for putting on such a tremendous fantasy camp week year after year.  And the proof is in the number of players that return each year to rekindle relationships, laugh and enjoy the game of baseball. 

Welcome to the new Rockies official club blog, and please leave your comments here all season. To begin, FSN Rocky Mountain broadcaster Drew Goodman will be posting his experiences at the 2008 Rockies Fantasy Camp from Tucson, Arizona over the course of the next 5 days.

January 28, 2008

Packing away late on Monday night.  Tomorrow will begin my fourth Rockies Fantasy Camp and I still remember that first phone call to my wife after day one four years ago.  I am generally not overly verbose, especially on the phone, but I must have been bubbling over because she said, "I can hear your smile!"  I didn't know what to expect - a little baseball, big league uniforms, nice people and a few beers in the evening.  What I and everyone else got was all of that and five days of belly laughs, not to mention meeting several people who have become good friends. 

I tell people I know and many I don't that the Rockies Fantasy Camp is an "A" experience made an "A+" because of Clint Hurdle.  I spend the entire summer with Clint so I'm well aware of his quick wit and his enjoyment of locker room banter, pranks and good natured verbal jousting which is part and parcel of baseball life in the big leagues.  Well, Fantasy Camp and its participants provide him with an incredible amount of material!  Bodies of all shapes and sizes, baseball experience from none to decent, though most haven't exactly had much time to play the game consistently anymore. 

The shared bond of not only the campers but the coaches as well is a love of the game.  I have used my platform over the last few years to ask some of the players and staff that have participated if they actually enjoy fantasy camp, and to a man they answer with an enthusiastic 'yes.'  In fact Jeff Francis volunteered to come back this year as did Cory Sullivan.  Cory had a conflict and can't make it, but it shows just how much fun everyone has. 

I've been throwing and swinging the bat fairly regularly in anticipation of camp.  I always endeavor to see Keith Dugger and Scotty Gehret (the team trainers) as little as possible!  At 44 this allows me to be Julio Franco for a week because if I could, I'd still play everyday! Clint reminds us annually, however, that the Rockies will NOT be signing anyone out of fantasy camp...so I guess I'll have to settle for these five days which has become one of my favorite weeks of the year.

Alright, time to hit the sack, four hours of sleep, a flight to Tucson and in about ten hours, we'll be in uniform throwing the ball around Hi Corbett. Another opportunity for prolonged adolescence!