Seattle – Resilience and brilliance reverberated from the National League all-star selections of Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday and closer Brian Fuentes.
During his first six years in the minor leagues, Holliday hit better than .300 once, never posted more than 16 home runs and blew out his elbow. Since entering the big leagues, Holliday has morphed into a Matt-inee idol, a hulking slugger who made such an impression this season that his peers voted him in.
“When he was on second base the other day, I asked him how much he weighed. My two arms together aren’t as big as one of his arms,” gushed Los Angeles Angels shortstop Orlando Cabrera. “I have never seen anyone like him. What, did they make him in a lab somewhere?”
Fuentes’ career is more animated than scientific, serving as the Wile E. Coyote of the Rockies. Cut him, demote him, question him and he comes back for more, never backing down from a challenge. Once not good enough to make his high school team, Fuentes made his second consecutive all-star team Sunday, plucked specifically by NL manager Phil Garner of the Houston Astros.
“This probably means a little more,” said Fuentes, whose domination of left-handers (2-for-29 against him) figured largely into his selection. “You are not just the one guy because they had to have someone. For us both to go is a nice compliment to the organization.”
The Rockies are the only team in the NL West with multiple players selected. It’s the first time they have had more than a single name since 2003, when pitcher Shawn Chacon, outfielder Preston Wilson and first baseman Todd Helton represented the franchise.
“It’s quite an honor. I am flattered,” said Holliday, who is hitting .345 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs. “It means a lot.”
What makes Holliday’s mercurial rise from pedestrian minor- leaguer to breathtaking slugger is his average. As Cabrera can attest, a glance at the 6-foot-4, 228-pound Holliday screams power. But he’s contending for a batting title after demonstrating the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field and crush breaking pitches.
“He can really hit to all fields and he’s strong enough that half of them go out of the ballpark,” said Helton, who has been raving about Holliday’s potential since spring training in 2003. “It’s hard not to notice a guy playing as well as he is.”
Holliday is only the Rockies’ second homegrown position player to become an all-star, joining Helton. Already in line for a monster payday this winter – how does $5 million-plus sound? – when he can decline a mutual option and elect for salary arbitration, the 26-year-old Holliday is on pace to hit 30 home runs and have 110 RBIs.
“As good a kid as he was when I first managed him in (Single-A) ball, he’s even better now,” Rockies coach Dave Collins said. “That says a lot about his character and his willingness to work hard.”
Fuentes’ career took off last season as he developed an evil slider and changeup to complement his 91 mph fastball. Opponents refer to him as “T-Rex” because of his short-arm Frisbee delivery. He has become death on left-handers – don’t be surprised to see him face Boston’s David Ortiz next week – mowing down the likes of San Diego’s Brian Giles and Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard with ease.
“His stuff is just nasty,” Dodgers catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. said. “I remember I had trouble catching him when I was there because the ball moves so much. So you can imagine what it’s like hitting against him. No left-hander wants to face him.”
