BOSTON — Before he threw a pitch in the World Series, Rockies closer Manny Corpas experienced a perfect finish.
Through the tireless work of his agent and the help of Sen. Ken Salazar’s office, Corpas’ father, Manuel Sr., secured a visa to travel from Panama. He is scheduled to arrive in Denver on Friday night, on the eve of the first World Series game ever played at Coors Field. It’s every player’s dream to have family enjoy this moment, but it has special significance for Corpas. His father never has seen him pitch in the United States since he joined the Rockies’ minor-league system in 2002.
“I feel good about. It’s family, you know,” Corpas said. “I wanted my mom to come, too, but she’s afraid to fly. Maybe by spring training, I will get her here. It will mean a lot to have him there.”
Without Corpas, 24, the Rockies wouldn’t have been at Fenway Park, bathing in flashbulbs, trying to prevent the Red Sox from winning their second title since 1918. He converted 19 saves after taking over the closer role from Brian Fuentes in June, and leads baseball with five saves this postseason, the most since fellow Panamanian Mariano Rivera in 2003.
Corpas repeatedly tried to get his dad to the U.S., without any luck. Recently, he told Benny Quintero to just forget it, that he was tired of running into dead ends. Quintero, Corpas’ agent, finally called Salazar’s office, finding a friendly voice.
“I spoke with his secretary and she assured me that they were going to make this happen,” Quintero said.
On Saturday, the greatest season of Corpas’ life will have a happy ending whether he closes the game or not.
RODRIGO LOPEZ GETS HIS TICKET TO WORLD SERIES
Rodrigo Lopez made it to the World Series, after all. The Rockies pitcher, who helped stabilize the rotation during the season’s first two months, is serving as an analyst for Televisa’s coverage.
“It’s my first time doing this,” Lopez said. “I always loved pitching at Fenway (when he was with the Orioles). The passion of their fans is great and to have the Rockies here is exciting.”
Lopez, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery in July, had an inside track on the job. He shared a clubhouse with the man he replaced, Rockies special assistant Vinny Castilla.
“I told them that I couldn’t do it and to get Rodrigo,” Castilla said.
Father and son. Sometimes missing school makes sense. Like for once-in-a-lifetime events. Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk brought 17-year-old son Kemer on the trip, wanting him to soak in every moment. Kemer said e-mail would allow him to keep up with his homework.
“It was a family decision,” Quirk said. “He was too young to remember when I played in the Series, and I didn’t want him to miss this.”
Friendly enemy. The last time the Rockies saw Arizona’s Eric Byrnes, he was sliding headfirst in disappointment for the final out of the NLCS.
He popped up in front of their dugout Wednesday, heading over to the Fox TV set for his pregame work. Any trepidation about being near the Rockies after dissing them during the playoffs?
“Whatever. We’re friends. I know those guys,” Byrnes said. “Hey, I lost so I ended up doing this (TV) stuff.”
Spilborghs in at DH. MLB Productions miked Ryan Spilborghs before Wednesday’s game. The plan was for him to add some cracking sounds with his bat. As expected, he returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the division, hitting ninth as the DH.
“I think (manager) Clint (Hurdle) feels very comfortable running Spilly out there,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “Spilly has given us quality at-bats all year especially after he’s been rested.”
Footnotes. Matt Holliday has won over fans and critics, but he couldn’t win over Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder in the Player Choice Awards. Fielder was named the NL’s Most Outstanding Player. …
Dustin Pedroia became the first player since Boston’s Johnny Damon in 2004 to hit a leadoff home run in the World Series….
Rockies first baseman Todd Helton and his father Jerry enjoyed visiting during batting practice Tuesday. “It’s not every day that you get to see your son play in the World Series,” Jerry said.
