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Like a trash heap swept under the rug, the Colorado 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 on 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. What better way for Bonds to catch the Babe than playing at Coors Field?
The Rox may still be waiting to catch up a generation, but Bonds is a sure-Hall of Famer. So the season home stand finale could get interesting.
Left-hander Jeff Francis (13-12, 5.79 ERA), who has more wins than any other 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 still 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.
ON THE COUCH:
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.
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 THE COUCH:
1. 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.
2. Remember O.J. Simpson running through the airport in that rental car commercial? Ever wish you could run around an airport without drawing the attention of security personnel? Then join Run the Runway at Centennial Airport in Englewood on Sunday and run or walk a 5K or 10K course that includes a portion on runway 10/28. The event benefits Colorado Flight for Life, so check out www.run-the-runway.com for information.
AROUND TOWN
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. Either way, coach Sonny Lubick is still ticked at Mountain West Conference brass for scheduling his team for a Saturday-Thursday homestand with the option-tricky Falcons on the back end. Whatever the dramatic backdrop, the Rams will be looking to get on track and take advantage of their new
