Take me out to the notes column. . . .
Still can’t believe the Rox are doing it with pitching, pitching and more pitching? Check out these numbers: Jorge De La Rosa, on a good day the Rockies’ No. 4 starter, has allowed 118 hits and struck out 120 in 122 1/3 innings. Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs’ No. 1 starter, went into Friday night with 110 hits allowed and 101 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings. . . .
Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, telling KCKK radio why he never turned down an autograph request as a player, “I wanted to sign every kid’s autograph that came up to me because I thought, ‘One day, I might have to ask this kid for a job.’ ” . . .
With John Smoltz toe-tagged by the Red Sox, kindly raise a cold one to a Hall of Fame career and a Hall of Fame guy. . . .
Say what you will about Alex Rodriguez’s off-field escapades, but the Material Boy still makes an impact on the field. To wit: The Yankees were 13-15 in early May when Rodriguez returned to the lineup following hip surgery in Vail. Since then, they’re 53-27. . . .
Why was everybody and his brother, his cousin and his barber chasing Arvada’s Own Roy Halladay at the trading deadline? For one thing, he leads the majors with 124 wins since joining the Jays’ rotation in 2002. And according to Stats Inc., Atta Boy Roy has averaged 2.02 walks per game in his career, the fewest of any active pitcher with 1,500-plus innings. . . .
Trivia question in honor of Da Cubs: Who is the only man to hit a ball off the scoreboard at Wrigley Field? Answer several dots below. . . .
Josh McDaniels on the Local 11: “I’m confident we’re going to improve in the red area. To what degree, we’re going to find out.” That’s red area, as in red zone, where the Bronx were 16th in the league in offense, 27th in D in 2008. . . .
This just in: J-Mac says Brian Dawkins’ broken hand is just a scratch. Though, in the interest of partial disclosure, at least the Kid Coach is being honest at training camp. So, coach, that injury to Dawkins. Are we talking upper body or lower body? “Above ground.” . . .
How versatile is Peyton Hillis? As a rookie, he became the first Broncos running back since Floyd Little in 1968 to have a 100-yard receiving game and 100-yard rushing game in the same season. Not bad for a guy who projects as a fullback in those rare two-back sets used by McDaniels. . . .
True story, courtesy of CSU grad Jay Kornegay, executive sports book director of the Las Vegas Hilton: A guy recently showed up in the sports book wearing a CSU T-shirt. Moments later, Kornegay was summoned to the counter to meet him. To tell Sonny Lubick stories, you ask? No. The guy wanted to bet 50 grand on under 7 1/2, the Broncos’ season win total. . . .
Those pants John Daly has been wearing since returning to the PGA Tour? Are they designed to look that way or did he spill his cocktail? . . .
Trivia answer: Sam Snead, who drove a golf ball off the scoreboard after teeing it up at home plate. No ballplayer has hit the scoreboard, which sits behind the bleachers in center field, 90 feet above the field. Roberto Clemente and Bill Nicholson came the closest, hitting home runs that missed by a few feet. . . .
Not that, you know, special teams are a concern for the Broncos, but at the moment the best kicker in camp is Matt Prater’s competition, the Invisible Man. . . .
They say it’s your birthday: Grand slam artist Roger Federer (28); fellow grand slam artist Frank Howard (73); M-m-m-m-mel Tillis (77), and Tark the Shark, Jerry Tarkanian (79).
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
Five fearless predictions
Long after most NBA free agents have agreed to terms, Allen Iverson remains unsigned. So what’s to become of the former Nuggets all-star?
5. He’ll be spotted on East Colfax carrying a sign that reads “Will work for tats.”
4. He’ll turn down the Heat to sign with the Grizzlies, whereupon he’ll announce to the world, “It wasn’t about the money, it was about having a chance to win 20 games.”
3. He’ll be honored by his new team for scoring his 25,000th NBA point. Trouble is, his man will have scored 30,000.
2. He’ll show up for back-to-back practices with the Grizz, breaking a personal record.
1. He’ll ask for a trade out of Memphis, prompting a Grizzlies official to remark, “We’re already on the case.”
