Dashing through the notes, in a one-horse open sleigh …
Brad Lidge can rest easy, at least for the time being.
Early in the offseason, Lidge thought he might be the one going to the Rockies for Jason Jennings.
“I did hear that,” Lidge said from his Highlands Ranch home. “Trade speculation happens every year, so I never try to get too much into it. But at that time, that’s what I was hearing. The Astros indicated to me that they wanted me to close next year, so that’s what I plan to do. But I understand, if something comes up in the future, things could change.” …
Lidge, when asked if he could envision any starting pitcher spending his entire career in Our Town now that J.J. is gone: “You know what? I don’t know. I would have thought Jennings would have been that guy because he has success here. To be honest, I’m a little surprised Colorado didn’t want to keep him. He’s a workhorse and an anchor. Sure, he’s going to command a little bit of money, but you’ve got to pay a guy like that. I’m thrilled we got him, put it that way.” …
Welcome to the asylum, Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz. What, you think Coors Canaveral is history? Think again. The LoDo Launching Pad accounted for fewer runs last season than at any time in the ballpark’s 12-year history. Now for the fine print: At 10.73 runs per, it still led the National League. …
As tough as it is to see Jennings go, the question remains: Would it have made good business sense for the Rockies to give a pitcher a five-year deal for $50 million-plus? Because that’s what Jennings’ market value is in the aftermath of the Royals handing Gil Meche a five-year, $55 million deal. …
Sure, the Rockies could have held on to Jennings and dealt him at the trading deadline. But that didn’t make any sense in his case. Why? Because he’s a notoriously slow starter. His career numbers in April: 7-12, 6.38. And the other five months of the season? Try 51-44, 4.45. …
How power-challenged is Willy Taveras? He has 45 extra-base hits in 1,122 career at-bats. Juan Pierre had 48 last season. …
Scott Boras claims his newest client, Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, is worth “at least $100 million.” But then, agents are paid to say that kind of stuff. All we know for sure is that of the six former Japanese league pitchers who have made 10 or more starts in the big leagues, two – Kaz Ishii and Hideo Nomo – have been above .500. Ishii is 39-34, and Nomo was 123-109. …
No really, I’m not making this up. Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, when asked by the Dayton Daily News to reveal his Christmas wish list, had Kevin Federline’s new CD at the top. Said Palmer, “A lot of people don’t like K-Fed, but he’s all right.” …
Good news on NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson’s left wrist, the one he broke when he took a fall off the top of a speeding golf cart: At least it wasn’t his drinking wrist. …
Cheer up, Bronco Nation. The Broncos’ defense started the season with 11 consecutive quarters in which it didn’t allow a touchdown. What’s that? Well, you don’t have to get personal, pal. …
NBA commish David Stern can’t win for losing. First he junks the league’s leather ball for the controversial microfiber model. Then, after every player in the league grumbled about it, he agreed to switch back. How long you figure before the PETA people are on his case? …
From Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel: “You want to know why Steve Spurrier turned down the chance to pursue the Alabama and Miami jobs to stay at South Carolina? He just got a $500,000 raise for taking the Gamecocks to the Liberty Bowl. At South Carolina, you get a raise for going to the Liberty Bowl. At Alabama and Miami, you get fired.”
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
