DENVER—Willy Taveras bounded around the Rockies clubhouse Thursday, sharing his good news with anyone who showed any sign of interest.
The proud new papa beamed as he talked about the birth of his first child, a 7 pound, 8 ounce baby girl named Marina Brice. She was born on Tuesday, the day of the All-Star game.
“She’s doing so good,” the speedy outfielder said. “She’s so much fun.”
Taveras better bring lots of pictures because he’s going to be gone for a while as the Rockies head out on a 10-game road trip that begins Friday night in Milwaukee.
It could be the make-or-break trip of the season.
“It’s big for us to make a statement—if we’re contenders or a team in the second half that falters,” said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, whose team finished 44-44 at the break.
Todd Helton sees it as just another road trip, even though the last time the Rockies were out of town they came back with a 1-9 record.
However, the team righted the ship by winning five of six before the break.
“It’s not important, not important at all,” Helton said of the trip. “We’re just going to go play baseball games. What (bad) road trip? We forgot about that. Obviously, we have short memories.”
Helton said the All-Star break was put to good use by him.
“I slept 60 out of the 72 hours,” he said. “I feel refreshed.”
So does Taveras, who’s antsy to test his tweaked right thigh muscle. He didn’t start the last two days before the All-Star break to rest the sore muscle.
“I don’t think it’s 100 percent,” said Taveras, who’s hitting .325 this season and has stolen 20 bases. “But I’ll still be running. I’m sure I can play (Friday night).”
Reliever Brian Fuentes is hoping to avoid time on the disabled list. The All-Star closer has a strained muscle in his back. Fuentes threw Thursday before the team took off for Milwaukee.
When asked if he was headed for the disabled list, the All-Star closer only said, “I’m not on the DL.” Fuentes blew four straight saves during the last road trip and was subsequently demoted.
Tulowitzki used the break to squeeze in a quick trip home to California. He attended the All-Star game in San Francisco with his father and brother.
He was surprised by Matt Holliday’s performance in the Home Run Derby. He thought for sure Holliday would win. Holliday hit 13 home runs in two rounds, but didn’t make it to the finals, where Vladimir Guerrero won the crown.
“I see it every day,” Tulowitzki said of Holliday’s power. “He’s an awesome player. He got his name out there.”
The players couldn’t avoid the subject of the Rockies’ road woes. It was brought up often. Colorado is 18-25 on the road so far this season.
“You want to get off to a good start in the second half,” Garrett Atkins said. “We’ve just got to play better.”
As Atkins spoke, Taveras was bounding off to talk to another player about his new baby. He chatted with outfielder Cory Sullivan, a new father himself.
“We just got her home from the hospital (Thursday morning). I want to stay here and see her,” Taveras said through a big grin.
But there’s one advantage of going on the road—at least he’ll get a good night’s sleep.
