Like a trash heap swept under the rug, the Rockies enjoyed nearly an entire season without having to worry about slugger Barry Bonds.
But Bonds, who returned last week after missing most of 2005 following three knee operations, is back to being too much to ignore. Bonds is hitting .318 with four HRs and six RBIs since his return, and the Giants are 6-1 in that span. And Wednesday, Bonds got within seven homers of Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list at 707.
So when the Rockies play their last homestand of a mostly forgettable season, there will be just enough time for more fireworks. The Rox may still be waiting to catch up a generation, but Bonds is a sure Hall of Famer. And what better way for Bonds to catch the Babe than playing at Coors Field?
Left-hander Jeff Francis (13-12, 5.79 ERA), who has more wins than any rookie starting pitcher in the majors this season, gets the chore of pitching against Bonds tonight, a 6:05 p.m. start time. Sunny Kim will most likely go on Saturday (6:05 p.m.), with Sunday’s (1:05 p.m.) pitcher undecided.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
1. The Broncos make the most of their only Monday night appearance this season by winning back fans who are concerned this might be a 7-9 year for the local squad.
2. Avalanche right winger Milan Hejduk make a speedy recovery after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. With the town already on edge after a meaningless preseason loss to the Red Wings, the Avs will need every scorer they can muster.
WEAK IN REVIEW
The Rockies are fighting the Pirates to avoid ending as the worst team in the National League, but after a 20-1 trouncing of the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, Rockies faithful are sure the team will be NL contenders next season. Right, and T-Rex construction will be done a week from Saturday.
THE COUCH
On No. 1: Of the two marquee wideouts in the NFL, who would you rather throw to in a clutch game situation: Oakland’s Randy Moss or Philadelphia’s Terrell Owens? Who is the better big-play receiver? Who makes his quarterback better? Who would you rather take for high tea at the Brown Palace? Try and answer these and other questions while scouting future Broncos opponents when the Raiders head east to play the Eagles on Sunday at 11 a.m. Catch the action on KCNC-4.
On No. 2: Colorado, which jumped to a 2-0 start to begin the season, faces its first true test when it travels to Miami to take on the No. 12-ranked Hurricanes. Yes, Gary Barnett is still the coach. And, yes, the Buffs are still the Big 12 North defending champions. But no doubt they’ll have their hands full in Miami. Looking for history? This game is part of a home-and-home series with Miami that started with a game in Boulder when a fight nearly broke out between the west-side fans and Miami players. Remember that? The players probably don’t, as the front end was played in 1993. Find the game on KMGH-7 at 10 a.m., with Brent Musburger, Gary Danielson and Jack Arute on the call.
Off: Find out what high altitude really means Saturday for the High Lonesome Volunteer Trail Project, a hike to reconstruct a section of the Continental Divide Trail near the Monarch Lake Trailhead, about 15 miles northeast of Granby on the south end of Lake Granby. The trail nears 12,000 feet at points, so if you haven’t already quit smoking, now’s the time. The event is in celebration of National Public Lands Day and is unique to our state. Check out www.cdtrail.org for more details.
AROUND THE STATE
After a $15 million upgrade of Colorado State’s Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, the Rams finally come home to check out their new digs at 4 p.m. Saturday against Nevada. Unfortunately, CSU’s home opener has undersold last season’s opener by about 1,000 tickets. And that’s not including the 4,000 additional seats the new construction added. Maybe fans are waiting for Air Force to hit Fort Fun on Thursday. Or maybe they’re disappointed with the Rams’ 0-2 start. Or maybe Rams faithful will show up in droves for game-day tickets.
