Last Christmas, the hypothesis was it would take an act of Congress to get the Rockies to the World Series.
This Christmas, Congress has passed a resolution praising the Rockies for reaching the World Series.
What a great country!
Isn’t it special that the U.S. House of Representatives could spare time from such a busy holiday schedule — and not have to hold endless hearings — to resolve, by voice vote: “Whereas on Oct. 15, 2007, the Colorado Rockies completed a remarkable 21 out of 22 game-winning streak (sic), with a 4-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and won the National League Championship series; Whereas . Whereas . Whereas the city of Denver and the State of Colorado exhibited their ability to host a fantastic Major-League Baseball post-season (sic, sic, sic); Therefore . (yada, yada, yada) . Charlie Monfort.”
When does the United Nations issue a proclamation?
Sincerely, the team’s Rocktoberfest (copyright pending) did fool us (me) and not only was the No. 1 sports story of the year in Colorado, but saved 2007 from being rather dreary and bleak in Denver. The Broncos didn’t make the playoffs last season or this, the Avalanche missed out on the postseason, and the Nuggets were eliminated quickly by the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the four-game World Series defeat to the Boston Red Sox, the Rox rocked the Rockies. Whereas, whereas, now, therefore, hear ye, year ye, be it resolved that we thank the Rockies, and I have placed a purple team ornament on my tree. (I did not receive a Christmas card from the Rockies, though. It must have been lost in the mail.)
Kris Kringle really is Santa Claus, and the Rockies were for real. Miracle at 20th and Blake.
Ticket fiasco, notwithstanding.
But what have the Rockies done for us lately and what about Christmas 2008?
So far the Rockies have done pretty well in the offseason. They haven’t moved mountains, but they haven’t broken up the Rox.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed center fielder Andruw Jones to help an anemic offense and Japanese starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to help create a solid staff.
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired exceptional pitcher Dan Haren, who started the All-Star Game for the American League last year, to team with Brandon Webb and, possibly, a recovered Randy Johnson.
The San Diego Padres added Tadahito Iguchi at second base, outbidding the Rockies, and veteran center fielder Jim Edmonds. They also signed former Phillies left-handed starter Randy Wolf.
The San Francisco Giants dumped Barry Bonds and brought in center fielder Aaron Rowand.
Meanwhile, in a twist on the old “Dog Bites Man” news story, Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon claims that the ball he used to strike out Rox pinch-hitter Seth Smith to end the World Series at Coors Field was eaten by his dog. I assume the ball or the dog will show up on eBay.
The Rockies’ ownership and management promised to retain the core of the team and increase the total payroll. They’ve kept their word, with a little help from the New York Mets.
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who effectively guided the young staff during the amazing late-season run, was prepared to sign with the Mets, but they reneged on the contact at the last moment. So Torrealba came back to the Rockies. They did lose LaTroy Hawkins to the Yankees, Kaz Matsui to Houston and Jamey Carroll to Cleveland. And (injured starter) Rodrigo Lopez and (dragon slayer) Josh Fogg likely won’t be back.
But they honestly were not key personnel.
Aaron Cook has signed a four-year deal, and Mark Redman (2-0 after being a pickup) was re-signed. Journeyman starter Kip Wells will compete with Redman, Jason Hirsh and Franklin Morales for the rotation’s bottom two spots — with Jeff Francis, Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez at the top.
Luis Vizcaino, late of the Yankees, is a tradeoff (and probably upgrade) in the Hawkins maneuver and will be the seventh-inning setup man — before Brian Fuentes and Manny Corpas. Matt Herges, an important reliever in the stretch last year, signed a new deal, but he must not be allowed by the Rockies to continue on the roster until he explains to the public his involvement in the steroid-HGH era. (First-base coach Glenallen Hill also has to speak publicly after being mentioned in the Mitchell report.)
The Rockies are set at seven defensive positions. Second base will be an “American Idol” tryout, with five current in-house candidates and the possibility of two free agents — ex-Rockies second base starter Todd Walker (good-hit, no-field) and Marcus Giles (good-field, lousy-hit).
Not big names, big arms or big bats, but Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins and Todd Helton are secure — for another season. The Rockies will be better, but the division also will be better. And the Rockies deserve a break. From one Christmas to another, they went from worst in Denver to first in the National League.
How will Congress and Colorado act and react? Wait ’til next Christmas.
Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
