Drew Goodman - Back in Tucson

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.