New York – Not long after he arrived in spring training with the Rockies, reality smashed Todd Helton flush in the jaw.
Las Vegas fingered Colorado to finish with the fewest wins in baseball, setting the over-under at 67. When told, Helton paused and said, “It tells you just how much work we have ahead of us.”
On the last day of the season, the Rockies pounded the Mets 11-3, spoiling Mike Piazza’s Shea Stadium farewell.
Somewhere among the video montage to the future Hall of Famer, the three standing ovations and two curtain calls, Colorado offered encouraging glimpses into their future even while linked to a forgettable past.
In finishing with 67 wins – that’s why oddsmakers are called wiseguys, not dumb men – the Rockies matched the franchise’s worst record, set in 1993. Yet how they arrived at this total hints they are moving forward.
The Rockies went 30-28 the last two months. And, in a startling development, they became competitive on the road, a place where Colorado seasons have long gone to die.
As a matter of congruity, if not importance, Helton was asked for his assessment. He never has played a meaningful game in September with the Rockies and has started on only one team (2000) that finished with a winning record. At this point, moments after the last game, he’s usually angry, eager to disappear.
This season, he said, was different.
“We definitely improved. We are going to be a good team next year,” Helton said. “I am not just saying that. I genuinely believe it.”
Reasons for hope, so scarce in recent seasons with the roster bandaged by mercenary veterans, were on clear display Sunday, acting as pleasant interruptions to Piazza’s celebration.
Any hope any team has of going anywhere but golfing in October begins with an ace. Aaron Cook again looked the part. He posted his second complete game, finishing the season 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA. In two months, Cook went from a feel-good story to providing a good feeling about next season.
“It’s not like I am trying to be something different,” said Cook, who refused to let three solo home runs ruin his finale. “An ace is just someone that when he’s out there, the team feels like they are going to win.”
Confidence has long been attached to Helton’s at-bats. He finished with modest numbers based on his expectations: .320 average, 20 home runs, 79 RBIs, all career lows. His finish left him better, not bitter, given his .367 average after the all-star break.
“I just had a bad year, well, maybe not bad, but definitely a down year,” said Helton, who still led the major leagues in on-base percentage (.445). “I am going to be fine and come back strong.”
Whereas Helton entered this spring naked in the lineup, help appears to have surfaced. Rookie Garrett Atkins, 2-for-5 on Sunday, accumulated 89 RBIs, and Matt Holliday finished in the top 10 in batting while rapping out 15 home runs in his final 277 at-bats.
“There’s a lot of reasons to look forward to next year,” Holliday said. “There’s going to be stability in the lineup, our closer (Brian Fuentes) will be back, and we already have four starters.
“We didn’t have the record we wanted. But I think we are showing that pieces are coming together.”
Offseason questions
The Rockies finished with their seventh losing season in eight years. Beat reporter Troy E. Renck takes a look at the questions facing them this winter:
1. Where will they spend money? With about $10 million available, the Rockies’ priority is to add two late-inning relievers and a pair of starters. Guillermo Mota, Julian Tavarez, Scott Eyre, Shawn Estes and Pedro Astacio are on the radar.
2. Can Todd Helton put up huge numbers again? The first baseman has been scalding hot, but his 20 home runs and 79 RBIs represent career lows. Helton said he believes he can hit 30 home runs again.
3. Which young player has the most to prove next year? Outfielder Brad Hawpe failed to find his groove after returning from a hamstring injury, trailing other rookies Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes and Cory Sullivan.
4. Will any in-house players get multiyear deals? Aaron Cook, next year’s potential opening-day starter, and Brian Fuentes, the team MVP as closer, are candidates.
5. Who’s in charge? GM Dan O’Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle enter the final seasons of their contracts. Owner Charlie Monfort said he believes they will finish 2006, but whether they are extended depends on progress based on higher expectations.
BASEBALL SCORECARD
By baseball writer Troy E. Renck
THE MATCHUPS
San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Game 1 – 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Louis, ESPN — San Diego’s hopes rest on two factors – ace Jake Peavy and internal confidence after sweeping the Cardinals in St. Louis in May. The worst thing that can be said about the Cardinals is they haven’t played a meaningful game in weeks.
Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves | Game 1 – 2 p.m. Wednesday at Atlanta, ESPN — This was going to be the year they finally turned the lights out in Georgia. A group of breath-of-fresh-air kids energized the team. It might not matter, though, if John Smoltz’s back doesn’t cooperate. The Astros will rely on the four-headed monster of Pettitte-Clemens-Oswalt-Lidge.
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox | Game 1 – 2 p.m. Tuesday at Chicago, ESPN — Chicago averted a collapse, led by emotional manager Ozzie Guillen, known as Blizzard of Oz for his outrageous comments. Boston’s bid lies in its bats. Of David Ortiz’s 47 homers, 20 have tied the game or given his team the lead.
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels | Game 1 – 6 p.m. Tuesday at Los Angeles, KDVR-31 — The Angels are fundamentally sound, playing better small ball than any other team left in the playoffs. They won’t catch Randy Johnson until Game 3. Former Rockie Shawn Chacon, right, starts Game 2. The Angels eliminated the Yankees during their 2002 title run.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
