The Rockies organization that now exists only in photographs came to life Monday night. A sellout crowd crammed into the ballpark. There were plenty of fireworks. Alas, the pyrotechnics were the product of a lit fuse, not a hot bat.
Halfway through the Rockies’ home schedule, the home run has become a stranger at Coors Field. The Rockies are on pace to hit 85 home runs in Denver, 12 shy of their previous low in 2002. Formerly baseball’s most offense-tilted park, Coors Field is projected to finish with 178 home runs overall, easily eclipsing the current low of 212 established in 1998.
“It seems to be what all the guys are talking about,” second baseman Aaron Miles said, before joking, “They wonder if they are storing the balls in the humidor or a bucket of water.”
No one has sympathy for hitters in Denver, where the ball travels well and has plenty of soft outfield landing spots if it runs out of gas. However, since the 2002 advent of the humidor – a controlled environment designed to keep the balls at their mandated specifications – home runs at Coors Field have dropped.
Even so, the Rockies have noticed a greater impact this season. Veteran outfielder Preston Wilson cited a ball that Kansas City’s Tony Graffanino hit in late June as an example.
“The ball is not carrying the way it used to,” Wilson said. “(Graffanino) hit a slider pretty good, and it didn’t even make the warning track. I don’t know if it’s because they are doing something differently with the balls or not. All I know is that you have to really hit it to get it out.”
Added outfielder Brad Hawpe: “I can’t think of one cheap, so-called Coors Field home run I have seen this season. Maybe it’s because of the weather. We have had so many cold and rainy days so far, and the ball usually flies better when it’s hot.”
Manager Clint Hurdle, whose Rockies averaged 123 home runs a season during his five-year run as hitting instructor from 1997 to 2001, is aware of the statistics. He cited the league’s improved pitching and the Rockies’ rookie-laden roster for the precipitous decline.
“Power is usually the last thing to come for young hitters,” he said.
No one’s numbers have dropped more significantly than Todd Helton, who has gone deep just three times at home.
“Anything you say would be considered an excuse, and I am not making any excuses for what I have done,” Helton said.
Walker’s tip welcomed
The timing of the phone call was surprising, but not the information. Of all players who might let Jason Jennings know he’s tipping his pitches, St. Louis’ Larry Walker topped his list. Walker, a former Rockies star, informed Jennings after Sunday’s game that his sign sequence had become predictable.
“He’s really good at that kind of stuff,” Jennings said. “I am glad he told me. As a pitcher, you are always looking for any kind of edge.”
Dodgers feeling depleted
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ defense of their division title might be lost in the trainer’s room instead of on the field. Outfielder J.D. Drew will have his broken left wrist examined today. He’s expected to miss at least six weeks.
If the Dodgers elect to seek reinforcements in an attempt to win a mediocre National League West, Preston Wilson likely will attract interest, though he’s trailing Adam Dunn, Sean Casey and Aubrey Huff on their wish list. The Chicago Cubs have been the most aggressive in pursuing Wilson, but have been unable to find a match with prospects.
