Chicago – The business of baseball clobbered Josh Fogg between the eyes last winter. So he knew entering Friday afternoon’s start that it could his last in his first and only season with the Rockies.
Once you have been non-tendered, baseball’s version of coal in the stocking, there are no surprises.
If nothing else, Fogg used his last two assignments to make Colorado’s decision more difficult. The right-hander worked seven sleeves-rolled-up innings, strong-arming the Rockies to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
That the Cubs are the National League’s worst team would normally deserve an asterisk. But given the way the Rockies have played on the road in the second half – 9-27 – they aren’t about to apologize for any win. For Fogg, it was his 11th victory, a solid number for a fifth starter.
“I am happy that I finished strong that it’s the last thing they will remember seeing,” said Fogg, 11-9 with a 5.79 ERA. “After what I went through last year (in Pittsburgh), that was no fun. It’s not a good feeling not knowing where you are going to play.”
Fogg’s return is complicated by salary arbitration. The Rockies have until Dec. 20 to make a decision, giving them plenty of time to sift through the free-agent market. Manager Clint Hurdle admitted Friday the club would likely only bring back either Fogg or Byung-Hyun Kim.
“And Kim couldn’t get it turned around his last 10 starts,” Hurdle said. “But we have to remove emotion and see how it plays out.”
Fogg’s win came at the expense of fringe Cy Young candidate Carlos Zambrano, who struck out nine, but was undermined by four walks and shoddy defense. In the Rockies’ decisive sixth, they went hitless, parlaying John Mabry’s fielding error and a hit by pitch into three runs.
Establishing accountability
Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd shared blame for his team’s second-half slide that eliminated the team from contention. While ownership put the onus on the players, O’Dowd said there were things he could have done better.
“The biggest learning opportunity from what happened is that we need to continue learning and understanding how to win. We didn’t collectively handle that well and that starts with my desk on down,” O’Dowd said.
How does a GM impact a team’s ability to deal with a pressure?
“Through attitude, leadership and consistency of approach, having answers when things don’t go right,” he explained.
200-200 vision
Those who tuned out Juan Pierre after a disappointing April might be surprised to know he reached 200 hits Friday for the fourth time in his career. Pierre will be a free agent at year’s end and his future remains tenuous. He’s already called Dusty Baker the best manager he’s ever played for, admitting Baker’s presumed exit would affect his decision. Pierre, who is part of a lyrical verse in Beyonce’s hit “Déjà vu,” is expected to ask for $8 million annually, with the crosstown White Sox among those likely to express interest.
Footnotes
Matt Holliday iced his right elbow after a game when Ryan Spilborghs replaced him in the ninth inning. Holliday said he wasn’t sure if he could make a good throw if he had to. “But it’s nothing serious, just the result of playing everyday,” he said. … The Rockies aren’t happy that center fielder Cory Sullivan is not playing winter ball. Sullivan, who has 97 strikeouts and only two home runs, seemed surprised by the fuss. “Nobody ever said anything to me about playing. Last year, they said I should play, but then decided I didn’t need to. Now, it’s too late to go,” said Sullivan. … Rookie Chris Iannetta was asked what he could possibly tell 40-year-old Jose Mesa during a mound visit: “What am I going to say to him (alluding to his experience)? I just try to break up the momentum, give him a little break,” Iannetta said. … Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish sang a dreadful version of “Take Me Out To the Ballgame,” but luckily the bar had already been set low by drivers Jeff Gordon and Danica Patrick.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
