Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Fridays during the 2006 Major League Baseball season. The next installment is slated for July 28.
To drop a Major League Baseball or Rockies question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Hey, Troy! I was wondering what ever happened to the Rockies’ purple alternate jerseys? They seemed to wear them quite frequently last year, but this year they haven’t worn them once. I’m just curious. Thanks!
— Jim L., Highlands Ranch
Jim – The purple jerseys are collecting moths in a closet somewhere. The Rockies’ starting pitchers choose the jersey they wear and frankly there was no love for the purple duds. I can’t say that I miss the threads. In person, they looked like they were stolen from Barney the Dinosaur’s wardrobe, and on TV they appeared a weird blue.
Troy – You’re known for coming up with great slogans such as “Todd and the Toddlers” and “the Astros had the Killer Bees.” What should the Rockies name their power alley with Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday?
— Dennis Helsel, Highlands Ranch
Dennis – I appreciate the compliment. Todd and The Toddlers came as the result of talking to a player whose identity I will protect. This season, on nights when the offense has taken off, I have talked about the club graduating to become “Big Head Todd and The Monsters.” “Triple-H” makes the most sense, but frankly I am not interested in a lawsuit from WWE’s Vince McMahon or suffering a body slam from the wrestler who bears that name.
OK, if the humidor must stay, then can we have one installed in every ballpark in the majors so it can counter the effects of steroids? Makes sense, doesn’t it?
— Josh Williams, Butte, Mont.
Josh – I have talked at length about this topic with Jimmie Lee Solomon, who is in charge of Major League Baseball’s on-field operations. As of late last week, no team had lodged an official complaint about the humidor, though Oakland manager Ken Macha, Dodgers boss Grady Little and a handful of Diamondbacks players have groused about it.
Solomon said that the idea of other teams using humidors will be discussed at the GM meetings in November. In Colorado, it has reduced the game times. By normalizing the games at Coors Field, it has allowed the Rockies to improve dramatically on the road over the past year.
I’m a new Rockies fan. I was wondering: While the Rockies seem to have enough hitting, do they have the pitching to win the division?
— Tony Brice, Ft. Mitchell, Ky.
Tony – I would respectfully disagree. I believe the Rockies have enough pitching to win the West – particularly if they add a bullpen arm like LaTroy Hawkins, Roberto Hernandez, Elmer Dessens or Jeremy Affeldt. On too many nights, they haven’t had enough offense. That’s reflected in the records of Jason Jennings and Aaron Cook. Both have been fantastic this season, but haven’t received much national attention, victimized by low run support.
If they don’t add an offensive piece – they aren’t in the running for the prime chip, Alfonso Soriano – they need improvement from center field, catching and shortstop Clint Barmes. If they can lengthen their lineup by getting production from the bottom, it could have a huge impact in the second half.
Do you think someone in the infield is going to be gone? It’s getting congested.
— Tom, Littleton
Tom – Eventually the Rockies are going to have to make some tough decisions about their infield. Troy Tulowitzki, who I just saw in The Futures Game, is pushing the envelope at shortstop, and Ian Stewart is considered a can’t-miss prospect. He’s currently at third base, and there’s been no talk of moving him to the outfield yet. However, if the Rockies choose not to pay Matt Holliday in the coming years, that could free an outfield spot for Stewart. Frankly, that would be disappointing, given the charisma and ability of Holliday, a homegrown product.
Troy – I have just woken up to read about the incredible achievement of . This has got to be one of the best pitching performances of the year so far, yet the casual visitor to ESPN’s website would not even notice it. … Does the lack of media coverage frustrate the players, or are they happy to fly below the radar? Thanks, Troy!
— Luke Foster, Brighton, England
Luke – The Rockies actually had T-shirts printed up with the slogan “Under the Radar.” To see Fogg’s performance in person was to witness genius. I have never seen a Rockies pitcher mow through a lineup that quickly. As I wrote, it was their first night day game in franchise history. The sun was still out for the last out. I couldn’t believe it.
But to your question: The players, for the most part, don’t mind living in the shadows, though I don’t think they’d feel the same way a year from now if they continue to play well.
Troy – Where are the Rockies at with Kaz Matsui? Last we heard, his back had some issues. What are your thoughts on him coming to give some relief and hopefully offense to our shortstop situation? It appears Clint Barmes could use some time back at Triple-A to work on his hitting game. Thanks!
— Jim, Denver
Jim – The Rockies are working Kaz Matsui back into shape, giving back stabilization exercises to fix his injury. Matsui is a possible call-up if he gets healthy, hits and shows he can play shortstop. Those are big ifs right now. More likely, he would be used as a utility player whose role could expand if Barmes doesn’t ramp up his offense.
Is it fair for the national media to continue to refer to the National League West as a “weak division” when, as of this writing, four of the five teams are above the .500 mark? By the way, I really like the “young” Rockies. They play hard every day, and it’s easier for me to forgive “mistakes of aggression” and the occasional bad day.
— Dave Brown, Bayfield
Dave – The NL West suffers from an image problem. Where some see parity, others see parody. The division has shown up well, given the injuries and expectations. The Rockies help provide credibility by going 11-4 in interleague play, a remarkable achievement given how their peers performed.
The reality is the AL West is no better. All those teams are floating around .500 and have gotten there with some ugly performances – can anyone remember the Jeff Weaver era in Anaheim?
Effort certainly is not an issue with the Rockies, with manager Clint Hurdle doing a nice job pushing buttons this season. And with their youth, it shouldn’t ever be a factor.
I can understand the Rockies not wanting to trade away their young talent for an established player, but how about sensible free agency? Can’t they splurge just a wee bit so they can improve their team, increase fan attendance and build team revenue? Just like the Rockies of the mid-1990s, they’ll sell out Coors Field again.
–– Jon May, New York
Jon – You raise a great point. When I talked to Dante Bichette last week about outfielder Matt Holliday, he was genuinely happy that the Rockies were doing well. Why? He said the fans deserved it for how well they have treated the players, particularly over the first 10 years.
The Rockies absolutely have to attempt to be buyers. But they can’t just trade to trade, losing a prospect for a marginal reliever. Here’s why. Let’s say they win they win the West at 85 games. What’s the reality they would escape the first round in the playoffs? Again, if they are in this position a year from now, there needs to be more of a sense of urgency.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 11th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his fifth for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
