Atlanta – Todd Greene’s family is gathered around the Rockies’ bus. The line of those waiting to congratulate the catcher on his game-winning home run in Colorado’s 6-5 victory Monday is long and happy.
A few minutes earlier, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle described in detail, if not marvel, how Greene sand-wedged a Chris Reitsma changeup 406 feet over the center-field fence.
But the scene in the bowels of Turner Field tells better than words the importance of the blast.
As Greene receives congratulatory hugs, his father, Charles, stands a few feet away with a look on his face that every dad who has ever thrown his son batting practice can appreciate.
His boy has hit plenty of home runs, but this meant more because Charles wasn’t sure he’d see another one.
“It is special,” said Charles, swelling with pride. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
For too long, life has been throwing Charles curveballs. He worked 38 years as a federal employee. He coached his sons in baseball until they left high school.
But he recently left his job because of a failing body. He developed lung cancer, which he says he has beaten. He has bladder cancer. He lost movement in his left hand – “I had to leave my job because of that,” he laments.
About a month ago, his vision began fading. He has been tested for diabetes, though doctors aren’t sure that’s the cause.
“When I couldn’t see, that really scared me,” Charles admitted.
But there he was Monday night, sitting in the first row at Turner Field – “It’s harder for him to come to the games now,” Todd said – next to the Rockies’ dugout. Charles met Hurdle during batting practice, a gesture he appreciated as much as his son’s seventh home run this season.
“Todd didn’t have to do that; it was nice,” Charles said.
Perhaps because of his dad’s health, Greene hasn’t complained about his status or uncertain future with the Rockies. In May he was a starter. Since returning from a serious hamstring injury that sidelined him 65 games, Greene has been a ghost in uniform. He was in the lineup Monday for only the third time in a month.
“I always prepare like I am going to be in there,” said Greene, whose Rockies need to go 3-3 over the final six games to avoid tying the worst record in franchise history. “You have to.”
Greene’s presence promises power. He is the Rockies’ version of a slow-pitch softball player, a danger to go deep with every violent cut. Greene averages a home run every 18 at-bats.
“His swing has some holes,” Hurdle said, “but he can click a ball off anyone.”
What made Greene’s home run challenge plausibility was not how it was hit, but when. For only the third time in 43 games, the Rockies overcame a road deficit when trailing after seven innings. The rally, punctuated by Brian Fuentes’ 31st save, kept the Braves from clinching their 14th consecutive division title.
“We didn’t prevent it,” Greene said, “we just delayed it.”
Soon, possibly today, Atlanta will celebrate, spraying champagne. But the series’ best story may have unfolded Monday.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
