The sign outside insisted Saturday’s game was played at Coors Field, but it sure felt like Dallas’ Highland Park.
Every kid who picks up a bat dreams of making the big leagues. Three from the same 1997 summer-league team were in uniform Saturday. Before Vernon Wells, Brad Hawpe and Choo Freeman made The Show, they made eyes bulge as stars for the Dallas Mustangs, a Connie Mack powerhouse prep team.
“I played against those guys since I was 10,” Wells said, taking a break from a video game. “To still be doing it is cool.”
The Mustangs played their games at Highland Park, beating up on opponents with a beefy lineup that included Hawpe at first base, Freeman in left, Wells in center field and San Diego Padres pitcher Chris Young on the mound. Thinking back on those days, Freeman said he isn’t surprised their lives intersected in Denver eight years later.
“I thought at least one of us would make it pro. Of course, I thought it would be me,” Freeman said with a laugh. “I really looked up to Vernon. I was pretty raw, and he did almost everything right.”
Hawpe, the only member of the trio to play college baseball, put it more bluntly.
“Vernon was a stud then,” Hawpe said, “and he’s a stud now.”
Asked about Hawpe’s start, Wells grinned. He explained, “Hawpe’s hit whenever he’s been, so you knew it was only a matter of time before he did it here. And Choo has always been the best athlete on the field.”
After a breakthrough season in 2003, Wells quietly is regaining his status among the game’s elite. He began batting practice last November, weeks ahead of his normal schedule, represented Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and is hitting .335 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs.
“I wasn’t happy about how the last two seasons went,” Wells said.
Torrealba headed to Triple-A
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba’s path back to the big leagues accelerated this past week when he rediscovered his arm slot in extended spring training. He will begin playing for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday and could return in about two weeks.
General manager Dan O’Dowd credits minor-league coach P.J. Carey for getting Torrealba back on track by having him perform throws from all positions.
“I was worried about (Torrealba) before he went down there,” O’Dowd said. “P.J. did an amazing job.”
Footnotes
Sun-Woo Kim won’t pitch another Triple-A game, throwing only side sessions while the Rockies decide their next step. Kim expects a decision to be made Wednesday on whether to activate him as a reliever, a starter or to sever ties. O’Dowd didn’t rule out seeking a trade…. Realizing it’s early, manager Clint Hurdle campaigned for Aaron Cook, Brian Fuentes, Matt Holliday and Hawpe as all-star candidates.
Rockies recap
The number jumps out because it’s hard to reconcile with his stats. In the seventh inning Saturday night, the Toronto Blue Jays intentionally walked outfielder Matt Holliday with Todd Helton at second base.
It was only the third intentional walk of his career in nearly 1,200 plate appearances. That number is sure to swell if Holliday continues to scald the ball. He’s hitting a baseball-best .446 (29-for-63) this month. He has posted 27 extra-base hits this season – the true measure of a slugger – and has a streak of four consecutive multi-hit games.
HELTON WARMING: Asked about proper technique in the batter’s box, Helton quipped, “I got my first hit in two weeks. I will talk about anything but hitting.” Helton, who homered Friday, doubled in the seventh Saturday and scored on a sacrifice fly.
NADA FOR MR. BONDS: Barry Bonds finally tied Babe Ruth on Saturday, but no thanks to Rockies reliever Tom Martin. Martin hasn’t allowed a home run to Bonds in 14 career at-bats – third-best among active pitchers – limiting him to just singles. “There’s no secret. I just pitch him aggressively,” Martin said.
