Gangs of New York.
That’s the latest explanation for why the Rockies will make the playoffs. Been sending out texts, asking opposing and former players, and most believe the Rockies will reach the postseason. The reason is simple: They love their defense and remain pleasantly surprised by their pitching (but that could change quickly if Jose Contreras isn’t a competent replacement for Aaron Cook and Huston Street doesn’t pitch again this month).
No one was more convincing in his argument for the Rockies than Mets manager Jerry Manuel. He believes the Rockies will win the wild card. He calls them one of the best teams the Mets have faced this season. Manuel sees a lot of National League East rivals Florida and Atlanta, who are among the teams fighting the Rockies for the wild-card spot. And the Mets just played the Giants a few weeks ago. Why does he like the Rockies’ chances?
“Their shortstop. He’s a player. He’s gangster,” Manuel said. “He’s not just on the gangster bus. He’s driving it wherever he wants to go.”
Told of the praise, Troy Tulowitzki grinned. If there’s one thing he wants to be known as, it’s a gamer, a guy who can be counted on to win. Remember, he’s only been on one losing team in his life, that coming last season.
Tulowitzki’s resurgence hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has a good chance to finish in the top five in the National League MVP race based on my early discussions with a handful of voters.
Back in May, I said, to heavy criticism, that the Rockies needed Tulowitzki to reprise his 2007 role to save the season. Even some of his teammates said it was unfair to the shortstop, believing it was putting too much on his plate. The reality is that where Tulowitzki goes, this team often follows.
When he was in the tank, so were the Rockies. He and former manager Clint Hurdle weren’t on the same page. I’ll never understand why Hurdle chose to pick a fight with a kid who is clearly the face of the franchise.
In manager Jim Tracy, he has a boss who always has his back. Knowing that changed everything for Tulowitzki, allowing him to play with freedom without fear of a benching.
That’s made him a star. Or as Manuel might say, “gangster.”
Award talk.
A month away from the playoffs, it’s time to start talking awards. Consider this a red-carpet tease. There’s no need to waste time over the NL MVP — that’s become Albert Pujols’ paperweight. The leaders for the others:
NL Cy Young: The Giants’ Tim Lincecum, although with no conviction. The Cards’ Chris Carpenter is pushing hard, and St. Louis teammate Adam Wainwright has a real shot at 20 wins.
NL rookie of the year: Philadelphia’s J.A. Happ. No one has made a greater impact, although Atlanta’s Tommy Hanson is close.
NL manager of the year: Jim Tracy in a close vote over San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy.
NL comeback player of the year: Carpenter. Todd Helton deserves kudos for his terrific rebound season.
Footnotes.
Rockies fans have noticed left-hander Joe Beimel’s tattoos. Those really paying attention have noticed that they only snake down his right arm. There’s nothing on his left. That’s not an accident. “I don’t mess with the moneymaker,” Beimel said. “I don’t like the idea of the needle digging into my pitching arm.” . . . The Mets’ David Wright is no longer wearing the Rawlings S100 safety helmet. The helmet offered increased protection, in hopes of preventing concussions like the one Wright sustained last month. Wright found the helmet too cumbersome and uncomfortable, so he junked it after two games. Safety is paramount, but not more important than comfort to big-leaguers. The helmet fell over Wright’s eyes when he ran, and he was ridiculed endlessly. He looked like Clark in his bike helmet in “Benchwarmers.” Rawlings is right to look for a better helmet, and this model is currently going to be mandatory in the minor leagues next season. But they really need to make it sleeker or there will be a revolt among players. . . . Eric Young Jr. doesn’t just look fast. He is fast. The Rockies’ utilityman had signed to play football at Villanova out of high school. He would have been a running back or cornerback had baseball not come calling. . . . The Royals raised eyebrows by granting general manager Dayton Moore a contract extension and bringing back manager Trey Hillman. The Kansas City franchise needs to decide who it is. The Royals want to build from within, yet they spend lavishly on mediocre free agents like Gil Meche and Jose Guillen.
Eye on …
Hanley Ramirez, Marlins shortstop
Background: The Red Sox don’t make many mistakes anymore, but they have failed to find a long-term answer at shortstop since trading Hanley Ramirez. They won a World Series with Josh Beckett, whom they acquired in return, but Ramirez is developing into one of the National League’s best players.
What’s up: The opinion outside his clubhouse is that Ramirez is among the game’s best players. In it, there are some issues. Dan Uggla and Ramirez openly argued in front of reporters about the shortstop leaving Tuesday’s game with a hamstring injury. Uggla questioned Ramirez’s desire to win, implying that Ramirez has his money — his $70 million contract is the only long-term deal among Marlins — so he’s willing to sit out. Ramirez, hurt by the criticism, said Uggla was showing him up. Uggla, who said he loves Ramirez like a brother, countered by saying that Ramirez has shown guys up on the field (his casual throws to first base were well known the previous two years).
Renck’s take: Playing in pain is a sensitive topic. If teammates believe a guy is soft, it colors their opinion of him. It’s why Larry Walker, while the best player the Rockies have ever had, created friction. He was notorious for shutting it down once the Rockies were eliminated. I get Uggla’s emotion, but he needs to be careful with the accusation. Maybe Ramirez, who likely will finish second in the NL MVP voting behind Albert Pujols, isn’t going to win any tough-guy awards. But is his coming out early from a game any more selfish than Uggla swinging like a slow-pitch softball slugger every at-bat? Both hurt a team’s chances to win. The solution? Ramirez needs to play hurt, and Uggla needs to play smart.
At issue
Time for baseball to quicken pace by lengthening strike zone
What: Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon revealed he has been fined multiple times for delay-of-game violations this season, totaling $10,000.
When: The last incident occurred Tuesday night against the Rays. He took too long between pitches, and the umpires called a ball on him. The league then took a chunk out of his wallet.
Background: Baseball is no longer America’s favorite sport. Not even close. That honor belongs to pro football. And it’s not just because football is easier to gamble on. Football is faster-paced, violent and more appealing to the 18-year-old to 34-year-old male demographic most sought by network executives. Baseball is a romance, football a one-night stand. But that doesn’t mean baseball shouldn’t diligently keep working to speed up its game. Two new rules were implemented this season related to pitching changes — pitchers must throw a pitch no more than 2 minutes, 20 seconds after the final out of the previous inning and can take no more than 12 seconds between pitches once the batter steps into the box.
Renck’s take: The rules are great. The enforcement? Not so much. It’s why it’s hard to watch the Yankees-Red Sox. Their games last longer than Hollywood marriages. If suits in New York are serious about speeding up the game, there is an easy answer — expand the strike zone. Start calling chest to knees. Hitters will gripe initially, but all they want is a consistent zone. Right now, it’s somewhere between the size of a license plate and Tic Tac box. The parks are smaller, the mound lower, the protective arm guards bigger, so throw pitchers a bone and do right by the game in the process.
Tracking the NL wild card
A look at upcoming schedules for the contenders:
1. Rockies: Play seven against Reds and Padres this week. Is 6-1 too much to ask?
2. Giants: Begin nine-game homestand against Padres, Dodgers, Rockies. They are 17-7 at home against NL West this year.
3. Marlins: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, piranhas Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez turn on each other.
4. Braves: Return of Tim Hudson a big boost. Must mop up Houston, or games at St. Louis this weekend could ruin chances.
5. Cubs: Is it true Ricketts family bought Wrigley and WGN but kept the receipt and returned the team?
