Manager Clint Hurdle doesn’t buy into the notion that an eight-day layoff will take the edge off the red-hot Rockies as they head into their first World Series. Still, he’s not leaving anything to chance.
Before his club’s two-hour workout at Coors Field on Wednesday, Hurdle outlined a regiment he believes will keep the club sharp for the World Series, which opens Wednesday at either Cleveland or Boston.
The Rockies have today off and then play a four-inning simulated game Friday, with extensive defensive drills. Saturday, they’ll play a seven-inning game with baserunning, followed by a 7 1/2-inning game without baserunning Sunday. On Monday, the club will have a short workout before flying to Cleveland or Boston. Pitchers will get extensive work, either in the simulated games or in bullpen sessions.
“We’ll focus on intensity and putting the effort involved that we need to,” Hurdle said. “The more effort we put into it, the more we’ll get out of it.”
In awe of Ripken. Troy Tulowitzki oozes intensity and plays with a razor’s edge. But he turned into a little kid when Hall of Famer Cal Ripken requested a meeting with him.
Ripken, working for TBS, wanted to tell Tulowitzki how much he admires the way he plays shortstop. It’s like Van Gogh complimenting a starving artist’s painting.
“I was calm, but it was Cal Ripken. He could have just said hello. And he reserved some time to talk to me,” Tulowitzki said Wednesday. “It was awesome.”
While Ripken steered the conversation, Tulowitzki had his own question. Naturally, it centered on his famed 2,632 consecutive-games played streak.
“The first I wanted to know was how did he play in that many games without getting hurt?” Tulowitzki said. “He really didn’t have a magic answer. He was just able to stay healthy.”
Tulowitzki grew up idolizing Ripken. Tulo’s father, Ken, would take him to Orioles games when they were in Oakland.
Footnotes. Opening-day starter Aaron Cook remains hopeful he’ll be added to the World Series roster. Hurdle acknowledged that Cook is completely healthy, but said a decision has not been made. … Todd Helton said Indianapolis Colts QB and former University of Tennessee teammate Peyton Manning called to congratulate him.
