The Rockies trudged to St. Louis on Wednesday night for a game tonight against an opponent more stout, seasoned and cunning. They left Coors Field after pitcher Roy Oswalt had carved and sliced them in a 7-1 Houston victory.
For the Rockies in their latest loss, there was little hitting, poor fielding and comical defense versus the Astros’ base-stealers. There was no enchantment like the night before against Houston, when Garrett Atkins hit a grand slam and won it late.
Nothing for Preston Wilson like his 422-foot homer off Roger Clemens in that game.
No, against Oswalt, Wilson struck out, flied out and reached on an error. He looked futile and flat, like the rest of the Rockies. Only each day for him is unlike those of his teammates.
Since this season began, as far as his Rockies career is concerned, he has been experiencing a slow and tedious death.
Catcher Charles Johnson knew in spring training that he would be traded before opening day. He wiggled his way through the spring and, indeed, by the first real game, he was gone. Wilson has known since spring that he would be traded.
Both knew they were victims of a new Rockies direction toward youth and cost-cutting.
But for Wilson, who turns 31 on July 19, it was different.
He was in the last year of his contract. He was returning from a knee injury. He had to play for himself, play for his teammates, play for scouts, play for a new contract.
One foot in, one foot out.
Imagine going to work every day but not to stay, just to build something new for the future. Imagine being a part of something with an ax swinging over your head that is going to fall sometime, anytime.
“I have no idea,” Wilson answered when asked if he thought he would be moved soon. “I’m a whole lot better off if I don’t think about it.”
He resented it when I mentioned that he was playing for scouts and new opportunities.
“I play for my team, and I play the way I always have,” Wilson said, sternly.
Actually, he is a man on a team without a team – yet. The Rockies have talked with teams, including the Yankees, Cubs and Nationals. Wilson can veto six teams in his move, and he said one of them is the Nationals. He has also, through his agent, said he would help the Rockies facilitate a trade through restructuring his contract.
One foot in, one foot out.
I doubt there is a single player in the Rockies clubhouse who does not believe that Wilson will be traded, likely soon.
“A couple of weeks ago I was on the trading block, and it was like I was trying out,” Rockies pitcher Joe Kennedy said. “Since the beginning of the year, Preston has had to deal with it, and we all believe it is going to happen and it is a matter of where and when. Once the Rockies get the best deal for him, he’s gone. It could be right now. It could be two weeks from now.”
A slow Rockies death.
“Every day there is a new team, a new story, a new place he is going,” Rockies outfielder Cory Sullivan said. “I couldn’t imagine playing like that. We’ve just begun to turn our heads the other way.”
Wilson’s teammates see him thinking more, pulling the ball more, hitting .259 with 13 home runs, off the numbers they are accustomed to seeing from this slugger. Some want to see his escape quickened. To a winner. One Rockies player said Baltimore would be a perfect spot for Wilson. The Rockies players all are frustrated with the losing. They can see it wearing on him more.
Yet, he has handled himself with dignity and grace, said his manager, Clint Hurdle, when he could have been “a handful.”
“I’m not going to complain,” Wilson said. “My life could be a whole lot worse. I am not going to get involved in all of the guesswork. I am not going to try to figure things out.”
This man has too much pride and honor to say it, but it certainly appears his silent plea, as the Rockies’ losses have reached 50, is this: GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW!
In baseball, said Wilson, things happen.
Mercifully, his exit will happen soon, very soon.
Staff writer Thomas George can be reached at 303-820-1994 or tgeorge@denverpost.com.
