Teeny boppers square off
The ‘tween years can be so awkward. Too big for the kids’ table but still not yet hanging with the older, cooler, more popular crowd.
Now in their 14th seasons, the Rockies and Florida Marlins have wildly different scrapbooks. The Rockies have remained steady through the years, never reaching greatness and just once qualifying for the playoffs (though this season the team wisely, finally removed that embarrassing 1995 “Wild Card” banner hanging in the outfield). The Marlins, on the other hand, have gone up and down quicker than Lakeside’s Wild Chipmunk coaster, winning a World Series, then plunging so far down the ranks there is still serious consideration for moving the team to another city.
But with a three-game series with Florida beginning tonight and the MLB draft starting Tuesday, the Marlins coming to Coors Field provides a chance to compare the expansion mates:
Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera might be the National League’s best hitter. His .354 batting average heading into Thursday was second in the league and his on-base percentage of .444 was fourth, behind Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Bobby Abreu. The Rockies though have two hitters near the top in batting average, with Matt Holliday fifth at .328 and Brad Hawpe sixth at .326.
Florida lefty Dontrelle Willis, at 1-6 with a 4.93 ERA, is much better than his stats and he remains, by most accounts, one of the most coveted pitchers in baseball. Willis takes the mound tonight against Josh Fogg (3-3, 4.45). And Colorado, it finally is said, can pitch. Jason Jennings eats innings when he’s not throwing to the backstop, and Jeff Francis is racking up Ks. Francis has proved a successful use of the club’s 2002 first-round draft pick, which brings us to …
The 2006 draft, which will see the Rockies use their highest selection – No. 2 overall, could be a banner year, with a bevy of fine talent available. In 1992, the first year Colorado and Florida drafted, the Rockies grabbed pitcher John Burke as their No. 1, while the Marlins got catcher Charles Johnson. But more important for the Rockies that year, Todd Helton passed on signing with San Diego after the Padres selected him in the second round. And FYI, the Rox have taken a pitcher as their first pick in 10 of 14 drafts.
The Rockies start a nine-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. tonight The game airs on FSN.
THE COUCH
ON: It’s no coincidence the three nominees for the collegiate softball player of the year award are still around with their respective teams in the NCAA World Series. Of the eight teams still playing, Arizona, Tennessee and Texas may have the best shot behind their player of the year candidates. Arizona’s Alicia Hollowell, who survived a cutthroat Pac-10 schedule, the toughest in the country, carries a 1.00 ERA. Tennessee’s Monica Abbott tops the nation in victories with a 41-8 record and an 0.88 ERA. And Texas’ Cat Osterman, who won the top award this week, leads Division I players with an 0.39 ERA and 590 strikeouts. The double-elimination tournament continues through Wednesday, if necessary, and airs on ESPN and ESPN2.
OFF: Ever picture yourself down on the field at Invesco Field at Mile High walking among Broncos players? The Denver Broncos Fan Fair, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Invesco Field, will let you do just that, albeit not with 300-pound linemen chasing you. The fest includes autograph sessions with players and photo opportunities with actual Lombardi trophies, question and answer huddles, contests and raffles, memorabilia booths, field activities, highlight films and panel discussions. Champ Bailey and Jay Cutler, among other players, are scheduled to appear. A weekend pass for adults is $25, for kids under 13 is $15 and the real deal is a Family Five Pack for $50. Check out denverbroncos.com for more information.
AROUND TOWN:
Beginning today, Mile High Racing and Entertainment (the new name for Mile High Greyhound Park) will take over from Cloverleaf as the spot for prime dog racing action. Check out the featured race in the inaugural 11th, with eight standouts out of the box and keep your eye on PB’s Blaze On. Trained by Donald Tessier, Blaze On was the 2006 Colorado Bred Sprint champion and won 14-of-23 starts at Cloverleaf. Blaze On is 5-2 for Friday’s race, while Adamo, in solid green and trained by Lisa Brooks, is the program fave in the 11th at 3-2. And check out www.greyhoundpets.org for information on adopting retired racers.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Lance Armstrong finally was vindicated for the relentless besmirching of his name by “Captain Ahab” a.k.a. Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency. An independent Dutch investigator, commissioned late last year by the International Cycling Union, cleared Armstrong of cheating during the 1999 Tour de France. WADA, which accused Armstrong of blood doping, may have committed legal and ethical violations, the investigator reported, and should face appropriate sanctions.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE:
The 49th Junior College World Series, in its 48th year in Grand Junction, play out for another 50 years on the Western Slope. The tournament – which had Walters State (Tenn.), San Jacinto (Texas), Yavapai (Arizona) and Wallace State (Alabama) in its final four Thursday – regularly draws several thousand fans to Suplizio Field on the Mesa State campus, making Grand Junction to the JC tournament what Omaha is to the NCAA College World Series.
