Tucson
So the devout devotee of Denver’s local baseball team gazed from behind cobalt eyes and graciously requested – as her index fingernail burrowed deep into my chest: “Write something good about the Rockies, you.”
Yes, ma’am. At this very moment.
On a Good Humor Tuesday afternoon, the Rockies beat the Chicago White Sox in an exhibition of capability and competency.
Ah, it’s grand to be back at spring training in Tucson, among the rocks and the Rox.
In March, all the boys and girls and even a smarmy, negative, itinerant sportswriter can believe. We swear by the Rockies today, swear at them tomorrow.
For the woman with the Bette Davis eyes and the Freddy Krueger claws, more good somethings:
In the sixth inning Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe hit a gila monster of a home run over the fence in deepest center field, 405 feet away, and over the batting background wall, 40 feet high, and over a cloud, 4,000 feet up. That was quite something and very good.
The Rockies have twice as many victories as losses in the Cactus League.
Again, the hot dogs taste better at the ballpark, just like popcorn at the movie theater and a beef burrito at Tucson’s La Parrilla Suiza.
Garrett Atkins swinging a bat at a ball is a marvel to behold. Think Vincent Van Gogh swinging a brush at a canvas and Arthur Fiedler swinging a baton at the Boston Pops orchestra.
Clint Barmes, whose batting average fell toward the Mendoza line and just north of the Venezuela border last year, has altered his swing and repaired the rather large hole in it.
One of the most impressive nonroster invitees you never heard of is right-handed pitcher Bobby Keppel, who was 0-4 in a brief trial with Kansas City last year. (Roger Clemens would have been 0-4 with K.C.)
Clint Hurdle finally is growing out his crew cut … just before he loses all his hair.
Hurdle is a kindler, gentler manager this year, which he will remain as long as the Rockies don’t lose twice as many games as they win in the regular season.
The Rockies apparently have a new first baseman – Chia Helton. Did someone pour water on Todd’s chin? With Jake Plummer gone, Helton now has the strangest facial appearance in Denver. Where did that come from – human hair hormone? Seriously, folks, Helton has added 30 pounds of muscle and should double his home run output to 30, if his beard doesn’t get in the way.
One team’s garbage is another team’s treasure. Kazuo Matsui, with whom I was familiar in another time and place, was run out of New York City, but continues to look like something good with the Rockies. He is hitting .400 in the spring after a triple on Tuesday.
Matt Holliday is hitting .462, which, coincidentally, is the same average as Atkins’. Will they become the first .462 hitters in baseball since … since I don’t know when.
Visitors to the Rockies’ clubhouse in Tucson are saying it is the nicest in baseball, and they’re not talking about the décor or the tuna salad sandwiches. Nice bunch of guys. Leo Durocher wouldn’t be elated.
New center fielder Willy Taveras can run something good, in the tradition of Eric Young and Juan Pierre. You wish that he cuts down on his stroke, because he won’t be able to steal first base.
Hawpe wants to be able to bat against left-handers this season. (His home run was off a right-hander.) I want to be able to dance with Sharon Stone.
Relief pitcher Dave Veres, who is attempting a comeback with the Rockies, has thrown strikingly so far in the spring. He shares a common bond with most of the citizens in Tucson. He has an artificial hip.
Pitcher Jason Hirsh, acquired from Houston in the Jason Jennings trade (Tale of Two Jasons), likes to practice yoga, and one of his fellow pitchers asked: “You work out with the old Yankees catcher?” (I made that up.)
Infielder Jamey Carroll celebrated his new two-year, $4 million contract by buying, and driving to Tucson, a blue Mini Cooper.
The Rockies don’t sweat much in their new caps.
Based on my first day in Tucson, I am quite certain the Rockies could win 162 games. Maybe I’ve been in the desert too long.
There, lady. Good enough for you?
Staff writer Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com.
