Spring Motivation Comes In Many Forms

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...