The remarkable Rockies could have clinched the wild card on Wednesday night with a de rigueur, feel-good, streak-stopping, giant Jorge De La Rosa victory over the Giants. Good for them. Good, yes, for the Bros. Monfort.
Don’t pop the champagne yet, but . . .
Charles and Richard Monfort have been characterized by me, myself and the multitudes as The Brothers Grim.
Since taking control of the Rockies, most of their stories have read like early Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm fables — erratic, unpleasant, perplexing, confusing, disturbing. Hansel and Gretel were almost cooked in an evil witch’s oven; Snow White was a hit target by the wicked Queen, and the Rockies fell into a boiling cauldron.
But the Rockies, as the kids and the princess before them, had a fairy-tale finish in 2007. And no matter how this season ends — maybe even happily ever after — the journey has been enchanting, almost make-believe.
Praise, then, to The Brothers Glad.
Just as they deserved our insults, Charlie & Dick, the B.G.’s, now merit our tribute.
The guardians of the city’s public trust have done their job right this year by ordering the firing of Clint Hurdle and the promotion of Jim Tracy, and acquiring five pitchers and a veteran hitter.
The Monforts — with a bit (and the hard bite) of urging — have adjusted their business plan and produced a winner.
Maybe they have learned that you have to spend money and take chances to make money and be successful.
Examine the attendance — 30 crowds of 30,000-plus (14 over 40,000) since the 30th home game of the season. And examine the results — an 18-5 LoDo record in that span.
The Rockies’ owners — who previously had T-Rex arms — daringly reached in their pockets for $5 million to get starter Jason Marquis (who makes $9.875 million, minus an $875,000 rebate to the Rox from the Cubs and Luis Vizcaino’s $4 million contract).
They kept unpredictable De La Rosa, who was unbelievable again on Wednesday night and pitched a sharp eight-inning shutout — and maybe has been the league’s best pitcher in the second half.
The Rockies traded for starter Jason Hammel.
As the club improved dramatically under Tracy, the Monforts allowed general manager Dan O’Dowd to add Joe Beimel, Rafael Betancourt, and, finally, Jose Contreras.
And Jason Giambi was signed to a minor-league deal, then returned to The Show.
The roster embellishments have measurably helped the Rockies in the chase for the wild card — and possibly first place in the National League West.
The overall cost to the owners wasn’t prohibitive, but they did increase the $75 million payroll by several bucks. This time they didn’t play shepherds and yell “wolf,” or offer the usual “midmarket” excuse and say that they want to depend totally on building the team from within.
Although the Monforts have claimed in controlled interviews they’ve lost a mid-fortune after their Argentine-like coup that removed Jerry McMorris from office, their investment of $95 million has tripled in value.
After I wrote early in the season that Hurdle had to go immediately, the owners gave him a dismaying vote of confidence, but soon showed serious guts by firing the loyal manager, and the switch to Tracy turned out to be a brilliant decision.
Lately, the Dodgers beat out the Rox for Arizona starter Jon Garland, who is 2-0 for his new club. The Dodgers also picked up Vicente Padilla (3-0) and reliever George Sherrill (0.44 ERA in 22 games). Jim |Thome joined the Dodgers as a pinch-hitter, but certainly hasn’t been as effective at the plate or influential in the clubhouse as Giambi.
The Giants bolstered their pitching staff with Brad Penny (3-0). The Rox didn’t want his clubhouse personality and strained relationship with Tracy. The Giants also grabbed Freddy Sanchez (.279).
The Rockies may have missed on some guys who wound up with their rivals. They could have rolled over after injuries to Dexter Fowler, Huston Street, Troy Tulowitzki, Aaron Cook, Manny Corpas, Carlos Gonzalez and Jeff Francis — and abysmal hitting by Brad Hawpe, Clint Barmes, both third basemen and catcher Chris Iannetta.
But Tulowitzki, Gonzalez, Yorvit Torrealba, Todd Helton, Seth “SOS” Smith and Giambi have been run-producers, and Franklin Morales and the five new pitchers have stepped in with rather exceptional results (although Contreras was hurt in his second start).
Of course, the players and the manager (and his coaches) are the main reason the Rockies are winning. O’Dowd, who has grown into his position and hat, definitely has earned a contract extension.
And the B.G.’s, Charles and Richard Monfort, must, without reluctance, must be commended for their willingness to change. Despite all the cries, they would never sell or sail away. In Rocktober of ’07 and Rocktember of ’09, all the cries are for them to stay and play.
Especially after the large victory in San Fran.
Bros. Glad sure beats Brothers Grim.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
