That’s my note and I’m stickin’ to it. …
How improved are the Rockies? Clint Hurdle was asked Saturday about the team’s all-star candidates and he reeled off four names – and Todd Helton wasn’t among them. The four? Aaron Cook, Brian Fuentes, Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday. …
Hurdle, when asked if he considered Hawpe the best right fielder in the National League in the first quarter of the season: “In my eyes, he has been. … (Bobby) Abreu has kind of been the yardstick for a while, and J.D. Drew, when he’s healthy. … (Hawpe) throws phenomenally well, and his offense speaks for itself.” …
Hawpe went into Saturday’s game against Toronto hitting .390 on the road and .292 at Coors Field. Nothing out of the ordinary there. The Rox were hitting .274 as a team on the road and .265 in LoDo. Yes, says Helton, the different game being played at Coors has lessened the adjustment Rox hitters have to make on the road. “You can’t get away with bad swings here anymore,” Helton said. “I used to throw my bat down thinking I missed a ball and it would go out. You have to hit line drives now. We’re hitting more line drives on the road because we’re hitting them here.” …
Before you read the following stat, yes, you’re on the right planet. The Rockies as of Saturday afternoon were fifth in the league in team ERA at 4.15, just ahead of the Braves. Twice in franchise history they’ve finished below 5.00 – 4.99 in 1998 and 4.97 in ’95. …
Hurdle, on rookie right-hander Ramon Ramirez, whose startling success – 2-1, 1.47, 21 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings – has the organization scratching its collective head: “Somewhere between the time he left our camp and went to the minor leagues and got called up, he honed up three pitches real well. I can’t explain it. I don’t know what happened, but we sure like it.” Flaxseed oil perhaps? “Could be.” …
For a guy who may not play a down next season, Jay Cutler sure is getting a lot of attention. The rookie we need to keep an eye on is second-rounder Tony Scheffler. If he doesn’t fill the void in the passing game left by Jeb Putzier, it wouldn’t be because he wasn’t given the chance. …
Not that it’s easy for a college kid to step into the Broncos’ system and put up numbers. Putzier as a rookie: three games, one start, no catches. …
Like coaches and managers, GMs are hired to be fired. But that didn’t make it any easier for Kiki Vandeweghe. Said Vandeweghe, on his dismissal from the Nuggets: “I feel bad because I love the city. The worst day of my playing career was when I was traded by the Nuggets.” …
Good things really do happen to good people. To wit: Tom Glavine, having hit the big 4-Oh, tearing it up with the Mets. …
You have to admit, that was one snappy-looking sweater vest Kobe Bryant was wearing the other night. Of course, what do I know? I shop at bowling alleys. …
What’s wrong with this picture? The Mavs and Cavs are alive and well in the playoffs, but the Avs have gone home. …
Not that LeBron James is even better than advertised, but henceforth he shall be known in this space as the Mystique by the Lake. …
Count George Karl among those not the least bit surprised by James’ playoff performance. Said Karl, “I think we all knew Le-
Bron was something special.” …
Don’t look now, but Edmonton and Buffalo could meet in the Stanley Cup Finals, a matchup guaranteed to edge out Arkansas wild boar hunting in the OLN ratings. …
Greg Cote of The Miami Herald, on Albert Pujols‘ remarkably low profile: “Team publicists are so concerned over the startling lack of attention, they are considering planting a steroid rumor.” …
Granted, going out on a limb is never a good idea in this body, but here goes anyway: I guarantee that Rasheed Wallace will never make another guarantee. …
Great news, ball fans. The Giants return to Coors Field on July 3. At his current pace, Barry Bonds ought to pass Babe Ruth that night. …
Bobby Bowden, on the College Football Hall of Fame changing its eligibility requirements so he could be inducted this year: “I wasn’t expecting it, because I thought you had to die first – and I didn’t want to volunteer for that.”
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
