Catch the daily spring training roundup each afternoon from Rockies beat writers Troy E. Renck and Patrick Saunders in Tucson. You’ll find insider information on players and what the team is working on as they get ready for the 2007 season. Check every afternoon for the Rockies Rundown.
For most players, pitching spring batting practice is a baby step. For Dave Veres, trying to make a comeback at age 40 with an artificial left hip, it was a giant leap.
“For me, this was huge,” Veres said this morning. “The last time I threw live against major leaguers was in spring training 2004. So I was a little more nervous today. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. Even though it was just batting practice, it was pretty exciting.”
Two years of almost unbearable pain forced Veres out of the majors after the 2003 season. His last major-league appearance was Oct. 15, 2003, when he gave up a two-run double to the Marlins’ Alex Gonzalez in the Cubs’ 9-6 loss in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series. In 2004 he lasted just three months in the majors.
Last March, he had his left hip replaced and now he’s trying out for a spot in the Rockies’ crowded bullpen. If he makes it, it will be his second stint with Colorado. He pitched for the Rockies in 1998-99, notching a career-high 31 saves in 1999.
“I was pretty happy with today,” Veres said. “My location was good and my splitter was working. It was a good start.”
The desert scene
The most popular player at camp today was left-handed reliever Mike Gallo. To be more precise, it was Gallo’s 16-month golden retriever that elicited oohs and aahs. Gallo named the dog Maddux.
As in Greg Maddux?
“Actually, I named him after Mike Maddux,” Gallo said.
That would be Greg’s brother, a former major league pitcher and current pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Quotable
“I feel like I’m a year late for a job interview, but I’m ready to go.” — Right-handed reliever Ryan Speier, forced to sit out all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Did you know?
Former Boulder Fairview High School star Jesse Crain became a very rich man today. Crain, one of the Twins’ top relievers over the past few seasons, signed a three-year, $3.25 million contract. He will make $500,000 this season, followed by $1.05 million in 2008 and $1.7 million in 2009.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
