There is no pommel horse. No floor routine. No uneven bars.
But make no mistake, every Rockies’ game is an exercise in Jim-nastics. When people ask why I think the Rockies have a shot at the playoffs, my first response is always: manager Jim Tracy.
Not since Jim Leyland have I seen a Rockies boss piece together a bullpen better. Don’t believe me? Fine. Listen to what all-star Brad Hawpe says.
“He’s been awesome. He handles the pitchers differently than anyone I have ever seen,” Hawpe said. “That’s where we were really struggling early in the season. He lets starters go longer, and he has lit a fire under the relievers with the way he uses them. It’s like he has a formula to win every game, and he sticks to it.”
What I like about Tracy is his meticulous preparation. He’s the kind of guy who would go to the grocery story and have three backup plans if they were out of margarine.
He has guys ready for certain matchups. The specificity, admitted reliever Matt Daley, “has helped tremendously. When guys know who’s getting up when the phone rings, it makes all the difference in the world.”
That’s why it’s imperative that general manager Dan O’Dowd land another bullpen arm. O’Dowd is already in position for executive of the year because of the Jason Marquis and Huston Street acquisitions, but he needs to pull off another coup.
Tracy will know how to use the arm wisely (Arizona’s Chad Qualls would be a perfect fit).
While pleased at the team’s revival, owner Dick Monfort told me the other day Tracy’s status would be addressed at the end of the season. There’s no way he’s leaving. He maximizes talent, the No. 1 criterion for a manager on a small budget.
National Halladay.
It’s pretty simple: The team that acquires Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay is the favorite to win the World Series.
But I’ll let you in on a little secret. It’s far from certain that he will be moved. The Jays want four players, including two major-league ready pitchers (along the lines of the Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez or the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw).
Given the rotten economy, teams are more reluctant than ever to part with young players that they control salary-wise for four to five years.
With the Angels not a great match, the Cardinals unwilling to part with center fielder Colby Rasmus and the Jays not interested in moving Halladay to an AL East rival, my prediction is that Halladay is traded — over the winter.
Ray of light in Colorado.
Before this season, Ben Zobrist was last in the alphabet and recognition. But not to everyone. Turns out, the Rays’ all-star has a Colorado connection. Zobrist first turned heads at Dallas Baptist University. His coach? Colorado’s own Mike Bard. If that name sounds familiar, it should. He the brother of Josh Bard, the former Cherry Creek star who catches for the Washington Nationals. Mike worked for the Rockies as a batting practice pitcher and now provides hitting lessons to players of all ages at the local level.
“He had a great knowledge and passion for the game,” Zobrist said. “He was a leader that was easy to follow.”
Footnotes.
Class act by former manager Clint Hurdle sending Hawpe a congratulatory note on his all-star berth. . . . Love the signing of Matt Herges to a minor-league contract. Herges is a winning player, a guy who makes others better. Yes, he cheated the game by using performance-enhancing drugs years ago, and was appropriately shamed in the Mitchell report. But he accepted responsibility and was accountable. Those traits make him a great teammate. Guys love being around him. It’s the same reason I urged the Rockies to sign Josh Fogg. … Oakland trading Matt Holliday is no longer a given because the A’s want more than the two compensatory first- round picks they will receive when he departs as a free agent. . . . Dan Haren and Tim Lincecum were seated next to each other in the NL all-stars’ locker room. It was a hair affair. They looked ready to start a rock band. Or, at the very least, play Rock Band. “I am just too lazy to cut mine,” Lincecum said. “But Haren is close. He’s had his mop for years.” Which proves my point: If you are great, you can look like Lemmy from Motorhead and it doesn’t matter. … Funny scene. Ted Lilly got White Sox fan/President Obama’s autograph — on his Chicago Cubs cap. . . . San Diego’s Heath Bell, losing pitcher in the All-Star Game, on life as a closer: “People actually care what I say now, which can definitely get me in trouble.”
EYE ON …
RHP Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks
Background: Pepperdine’s campus is a postcard. Hard to blame a young kid if he became distracted by the scenery — and not just the ocean — on the Malibu campus. Haren broke in with the Cardinals, living part-time in Jason Marquis’ basement. At one point he also lived in Ryan Spilborghs’ garage in Santa Barbara, so he clearly adjusts well to new surroundings. That helped when the Cardinals shipped him and two other players to the A’s for Mark Mulder. It was the first time Haren felt pressure in his career. “I was like 1-7, trying to prove I was worthy of being there. (Oakland) GM Billy Beane told me, ‘Don’t worry, you aren’t going anywhere.’ ” Haren then blossomed into a star.
What’s up: Based on raw numbers, Haren should have started the All-Star Game. He ranks first in the National League in complete games (3) and ERA (2.01), and is third in strikeouts (129). He’s the picture of dominance, though he’s often overlooked because his team stinks.
Renck’s take: The guards at Buckingham Palace show more emotion than Haren. He’s a cold, calculated model of efficiency. He goes right after hitters, begging them to swing. A hitter isn’t going to get a walk. Just doesn’t happen. His best pitch is a sneaky split-fingered fastball. It’s the baseball equivalent of a forked tongue. He can fade it, drop it and, generally speaking, make the greatest hitters in the world look ridiculous. As Haren told me, “It is primarily a two-strike pitch. I am looking to get a swing and miss.” Funny thing is, when Haren first entered pro ball, the Cardinals wouldn’t let him throw it. Nearly out of baseball, he asked to use the pitch in the minors. Now, it’s one of the most devastating weapons in the game. To preserve his arm and avoid injury, Haren throws only three or four split-fingered pitches between starts. Smart and economical, maybe he can balance the budget.
AT ISSUE
Proven cheaters shouldn’t gain entry into the Hall of Fame
What: Hall of Fame voters face the daunting task of how to frame history when Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens become eligible for Cooperstown.
When: As it stands, both would be on the 2012 ballot.
Background: It’s possible that the greatest hitter and best pitcher from a generation will be estranged from the Hall of Fame because of strong links to performance- enhancing drugs. The Baseball Writers Association of America votes for those eligible, with 75 percent approval on the more than 500 ballots required for admission. Some BBWAA chapters, including the Chicago one that will have to deal with the Sammy Sosa case, are meeting to discuss how to tackle the issue.
Renck’s take: In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a Hall voter. Anyway, here’s the issue. Do voters let all guys in, knowing the era was tainted? Do they lock out those connected to positive tests? And how then do they rationalize voting for guys they know cheated, but were smart enough not to use BALCO, Kirk Radomski or Brian McNamee as their suppliers? Some writers will protest by not voting for any of the sluggers or pitchers from this era on the first ballot. For me, anyone with a positive test is out. After that, the issue gets murky. Commissioner Bud Selig pointed out last week that almost every era had its stains. He kept coming back to the 1970s cocaine trials as a point of reference. That was a huge embarrassment to the game but nobody takes cocaine to hit home runs and throw 95 mph. Those using PEDs knowingly cheated. Depriving them of the game’s top honor could help serve, in a very small way, as a potential deterrent.
UPS AND DOWNS
THREE UP
1. American League: President Barack Obama threw out first pitch. AL hasn’t lost Midsummer Classic since Bill Clinton was in office.
2. Phillies: Team plays with grit, personified by ultimate gamer Chase Utley.
3. Astros: Moved above .500 Thursday for the first time this season.
THREE DOWN
1. Padres: Team nose-diving, and Jake Peavy untradeable because of an ankle injury.
2. Mets: By the time they get healthy, they will be out of the race.
3. Pirates: Fan mutiny awaits when they trade away all-star Freddy Sanchez.
