So much for the Rockies’ low profile. In the span of a few months, they’ve gone from faceless also-rans to media darlings.
How do we know? Because the position players aren’t scheduled to report until Friday, but Sports Illustrated already has arrived at Hi Corbett Field.
No really, I’m not making this up. That was Tom Verducci, SI’s top baseball writer, walking into the ballpark this morning.
The last time he was at Hi Corbett this early? That would be never.
The number of times he had typed the words “Colorado Rockies” before last September? “Not many,” Verducci said.
Stuff happens when you win 21 out of 22 games and land in the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
Just to give you a glimpse at how the rest of the world views the Rockies, Verducci has penciled them in for second place in the N.L. West behind the Diamondbacks. Why? Five words: pitching, pitching and more pitching.
Well, and an improved offense. Fantasy leaguers take note: Verducci believes D-Backs outfielder Justin Upton, whose brother B.J. Upton has emerged into an impact player with Tampa Bay, could break out and lend some much-needed punch to the Arizona lineup.
And the Rockies?
Verducci is looking for 88-89 wins out of them, which would put the Rox in the race for the division title and the wild card.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s daily sports commentaries on The Jimmy Page during the week at noon. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
