Atlanta – Four hours before the game, John Smoltz packed golf clubs on a cart, preparing for his team’s road trip to Miami. He wasn’t needed to pitch Wednesday. Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur and Chipper Jones stared with tired smiles from the bench.
For their last home game, the Atlanta Braves showed fan appreciation by unveiling another division crown.
For their fans’ appreciation, the Rockies showed off Todd Helton. On a night when 13 rookies dotted the starting lineups, it was easy to appreciate Colorado’s kids after a 10-5 victory.
Garrett Atkins drove in two runs, continuing what general manager Dan O’Dowd considers the National League’s best rookie season. Jeff Francis provided a nice bookend to his freshman year, winning his 14th game.
The future looks brighter, however, because Helton is starting to approach his past production. Truth is, the Rockies can’t transition from mediocrity – where they have been since June 1 – to contention without a star-driven first baseman.
Helton, 1-for-4 on Wednesday, is hitting .472 over his past 15 games with 14 RBIs. Earlier this season, the Rockies couldn’t have won a series in Atlanta. As dreadful as the bullpen was, they couldn’t score runs. On June 20, Helton was batting .250 and the Rockies were 5-29 on the road.
Helton wakes up today with a .321 average and displayed power recently that makes it possible the Rockies will finish with a 20-home run hitter. During his climb, the Rockies are 21-22 at visiting parks, arguably their best stretch in franchise history.
Those numbers help explain why ownership has no interest in trading Helton, regardless if he will make 37 percent of next year’s projected $45 million payroll.
“My brother (co-owner Dick Monfort) said it best during (the organizational meetings). We need to put the financial situation of Todd away,” owner Charlie Monfort said. “We need to look at Todd as a person and a player. We need him to reach our goal of winning a championship.”
Helton has grinded through a difficult season, doubt creeping into his head offensively for, as Matt Holliday put it, “probably the first time in his life.” Those who talked with him regularly during the season’s first three months said they believe the slump ultimately will make him better.
Now he doesn’t fear the unknown, realizing he can regain his touch through hard work.
Helton didn’t have a huge game Wednesday, but he was at the center of everything. He walked once, pounded his 45th double and scored two runs. He set the stage for Holliday and Atkins to take advantage of rookie starter Kyle Davies.
“What Todd went through was an aberration,” Holliday said. “He makes it easier for me and (Atkins) because he’s on base every time we come up.”
Francis also dealt with failure, providing substance to his success. He walks away from the season unsatisfied, but confident he belongs.
“When I executed my pitches I had success,” Francis said. “I can learn a lot from that.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
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Rockies recap
For two guys who don’t play much, Aaron Miles and Ryan Shealy sure are busy.
During batting practice, they work at multiple positions to increase their chances of making the team next season.
Miles, a second baseman by trade, continues taking groundballs at shortstop and third base. He faces an uncertain future with the Rockies, having lost his starting job to Luis Gonzalez. But general manager Dan O’Dowd said Wednesday that Miles could compete with Omar Quintanilla for a utility spot next spring.
“A switch hitter who can play three positions can be a pretty valuable guy coming off the bench,” Miles said, “if not here then for someone else.”
Shortstop presents the toughest challenge for Miles. He hasn’t manned the position since rookie ball, but said, “I have a strong enough arm to do it.” The White Sox viewed Miles as a utility man and worked him at third base during the 2003 minor-league season before trading him.
Shealy has been working in the outfield.
ATKINS LONGSHOT FOR ROOKIE HONOR: O’Dowd said he believes Garrett Atkins had the best season of any National League rookie. That said, he doesn’t think he will win the organization’s second rookie of the year award. “Even though Coors Field has played fair this season, his numbers will hurt him,” O’Dowd said. “You have to blow everyone else away because of the (bias) against the field.”
Atkins is hitting .287 with 13 home runs and 88 RBIs, numbers that compare favorably with Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard’s, Houston’s Willy Taveras’ and Atlanta’s Jeff Francoeur’s, the top candidates.
FOOTNOTES: Three shaggy-bearded hunters from the Duck Commander video series attended Wednesday’s game as guests of Todd Helton. … Catcher JD Closser is expected to represent the team at the union meetings in Las Vegas as player rep Jason Jennings grooms an assistant.
