The Page 2 notes. Taxes not included. …
Word out of Tucson is Todd Helton has beefed up to 230 pounds. Good thing. Talk all you want about replacing Jason Jennings and shoring up center field, but let’s not overlook the obvious. The Rockies’ No. 1 need is for Helton to bounce back and drive in 100-plus runs. Fact: He has driven in 256 the past three seasons. Andruw Jones has driven in 257 the past two. …
Number of NL West clubs that could match a middle-of-the-order threesome of Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins and a rejuvenated Helton? That would be zero. …
Says here Steve Finley can help the Rox. Provided, of course, he wheeled into the players’ parking lot in a time machine. …
Actually, since he’s left-handed and can run, I don’t mind him as a spare outfielder. Who would you trust to drive in a key run in the late innings, Finley or Cory Sullivan? Thought so. …
Funny how these things work. When the Broncos were winning Super Bowls, their lean-and-mean offensive linemen were cutting edge. Now that they’re on the outside looking in at the playoffs, they’re undersized. …
Not sure this is how Dr. Naismith drew it up, but as of Monday morning, the Nuggets were behind New Orleans/Okie City/Petticoat Junction in the Western Conference standings. …
It’s true. The Nuggets had the 15th-best record in a 30-team league. Next stop: pingpong Hades. …
Sure enough, the first baseball fantasy league question arrived in the e-mail box the other day. My only advice is don’t take A-Rod now that he’s been jilted by his old lunch partner, Derek Jeter. …
This just in. Manny Ramirez arrived in the Red Sox’s camp Monday, four days after the other position players. Seems he had trouble getting a visa to leave planet ManRam. …
Avs defenseman John-Michael Liles, on teammate Jordan Leopold, whose season has been ruined by injuries, the latest being a broken wrist: “We were talking before practice. He said, ‘This is the season I’d love to forget.’ It seems like every time he turns around, it’s something else. It would be easy to get down, but he’s been upbeat and very positive in the locker room. That’s huge.” …
The Dodgers plan to hit ex-Rockie Juan Pierre second, which means he will have to take a lot of pitches to let Rafael Furcal run. Insert your own punch line here. …
He catches the ball, takes four steps, then ponders his options. Yep, that Greg Oden is going to be a star in the NBA, all right. …
After all, domestic cars, shirts without collars and traveling calls aren’t allowed in today’s NBA. …
Just wondering: What’s more shocking, the Mavs’ 0-4 start or their 46-5 run since then? …
LeBron James just landed an endorsement deal with Cub Cadet, a company that makes lawn mowers, snow blowers and lawn tractors. Right. LeBron mows his own lawn. And I suppose his posse members stand around and let him know if he missed a spot. …
Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, on Major League Baseball’s switch to synthetic caps from the old wool ones: “Hats are available in small, medium, large, extra large, XXL and Barry Bonds.” …
Lions general manager Matt Millen has told cornerback Dre’ Bly, defensive linemen Marcus Bell and James Hall and guard Ross Verba that they can shop themselves to other teams. Come to think of it, the other 40-some players on the roster can take a hike, too. …
What do you mean the Avs might not make the playoffs? For all intents and purposes, they’ve been in the playoffs for weeks now. “It started a while ago,” Andrew Brunette said, “and we haven’t fared as well as we would like to have fared so far.”
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
