The beauty of Rockies games is the acceptance of lackadaisical tardiness.
The players are out there for 2 1/2 hours, and they’re not going anywhere. So if you show up late, meet your buddy at the Sports Column for a round of real drinks and then wander toward the stadium as the fourth inning winds to a close, the ‘hood is still all good – for the casual sports fan, at least.
Days like these are when sports bar should be celebrated. Granted, I see about three baseball games a year – one of which is typically out of state – but it’s those rare days when I revel in the sports worship of these popular institutions. And in late August when the Chicago Cubs were visiting, my friend Tom and I indulged at the Sports Column (1930 Blake St., 303-296-1930) before meandering toward the sea of Cubbie blue awaiting us at Coors Field.
Tom arrived 15 minutes before I did, and his passion for the game – and sports in general – quickly became obvious. His knowledge was precise, his fervor enviable and his memorization of statistics ridiculous.
The testosterone-washed Column is your everyday sports bar. Yes, it has good food and drinks, but they take a back seat to the game of the moment, be it Rockies baseball, Broncos football or a late-night cycling or soccer feed from Europe.
But with autumn arriving, football – not futbol – is the thing.
When I asked the bartender the significance of a generic sign hanging beneath the mammoth big-screen TV – “Ask about Sept. 12” – she and Tom simultaneously announced, “The first Monday Night Football game.”
Oh, right.
That these two sports fans can multitask like that – looking forward to the orange- and-blue before the purple- and-white is even done – is impressive.
Me, I like closure, so before breaking into my casual Bronco fan shoes, I’ll catch one more Rockies game – they play the Diamondbacks tonight through Sunday – and help them say goodbye to a season that, save for memorable conversations and pregame drinks at the Column, was otherwise forgettable.
Staff writer Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.
—————————————-
Funky: Show up in the third inning of a Rockies game and the service at the Column is attentive and world-class.
Skunky: Show up in the third inning of a Rockies game and the Column is dead empty.