Surprise, Ariz. – Used to be, Coors Field, the Rockies and home runs were uttered in the same breath.
Last year, a mile-high drought took hold.
The Rockies hit just 75 homers at humidor-equipped Coors, the fewest in club history. Their 157 total homers were the third-fewest in the National League and the fourth-lowest figure for a full season in club history.
But if spring training is any indication, the long ball could be back in vogue this season. On Sunday, for example, Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday hit homers. Holliday’s shot traveled an estimated 445 feet.
But that doesn’t mean Todd Helton and the other Rockies sluggers are doing cartwheels over potential pyrotechnics.
“Who really cares how many home runs we hit as long as we drive in runs and win ballgames?” the first baseman said Sunday as the Rockies lost a 12-8 slugfest to the Rangers. “People get too caught up in home runs. They’re important, but they’re not as important as you all make it. Just get on base and drive in runs.”
Hawpe, muscled up from intense offseason workouts, has a team-high four homers this spring. He hit two Saturday at Hi Corbett Field before adding his two-run shot in the fourth inning Sunday.
“We’re all a bit older and stronger and we have a healthy Todd Helton back, so we should hit more home runs,” Hawpe said. “But the important thing is just scoring more runs. There are a lot of good teams that don’t hit a lot of home runs, but still score. We are the kind of team that should hit a lot of doubles and score a lot.”
Last season, Jeff Baker, who was the fourth outfielder and part-time first baseman, hit five home runs after his September call-up. He has stayed hot this spring, hitting three homers thus far.
Baker’s home run total will depend on how much playing time he sees, but he has expressed confidence he’ll continue going deep as he did last September.
And if Baker doesn’t exactly see a reincarnation of the Blake Street Bombers, he does see a lineup with power potential.
“When you look at the credentials of the guys on the team, we have guys who can drive the ball out of the park at any time,” Baker said. “I mean, look at Holliday. Look what he did last year.”
Holliday led the Rockies with 34 home runs, followed by Garrett Atkins (29) and Hawpe (22).
Though Baker envisions the Rockies’ home run totals climbing, he agrees with Helton that the Rockies won’t live and die by the long ball.
“I think we have a lineup that can function either way,” he said. “When the long balls aren’t coming, we have speed at the top of the order and guys down the lineup who can drive in runs. I think we’ve got versatility, that’s going to be our strength.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
