Shortly before Tuesday’s game, Cleveland’s Jamey Carroll received his 2007 National League championship ring. While he posed for pictures at home plate, his former Rockies teammates stood in their dugout and applauded. Most of the fans at Coors Field did the same.
It was a touching moment for a popular player.
“Absolutely I miss those guys,” said Carroll, who started at second base for the Indians for the 31st time this season. “We went through a lot of emotional stuff together.”
Carroll, who hit .300 for the Rockies in 2006 and drove in the winning run in the dramatic 13-inning, wild-card tiebreaker game against the Padres last season, said he is finding his niche in Cleveland after being traded from the Rockies on Dec. 8.
“To know that somebody wanted you and continue to have a chance to play in the big leagues, that’s what’s important,” said Carroll, who is hitting .288 with 10 RBIs.
All-star dilemma.
When the New York Mets fired manager Willie Randolph early Tuesday, it put Rockies manager Clint Hurdle on the spot in finding a replacement for his NL coaching staff for the All-Star Game. Hurdle had asked Randolph and San Diego manager Bud Black to be on his bench for the July 15 game at Yankee Stadium.
“This is an unprecedented situation, so to be sensitive to everybody’s best interests, we will give this a little time and work our way through it,” Hurdle said.
Hurdle wouldn’t discuss his pending decision, but it’s doubtful that Randolph, who grew up in Brooklyn, and played and coached for the Yankees, will be on the all-star staff.
Footnotes.
Looking to add bench depth as they await shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s return, the Rockies called up infielder Doug Bernier from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Bernier replaces catcher Edwin Bellorin on the roster. Bernier, 27, was hitting .225 with five homers and 18 RBIs in 54 games with the Sky Sox. To clear space on the 40-man roster, the Rockies transferred left-handed pitcher Micah Bowie to the 60-day disabled list. . . . Tulsa reliever Casey Weathers, Colorado’s first-round pick in the 2007 June draft, has been added to the Double-A all-star team. . . . Tulsa outfielder Dexter Fowler was named Texas League offensive player of the week after hitting .484 with seven doubles, five RBIs and seven runs scored.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
