Got notes? . . .
Rockies owner Charlie Monfort, on the team’s false start: “The old saying that you can’t win the pennant in April, but you can lose it? We tried.” . . .
Just so you know, the national media will paint the Rockies as prohibitive longshots to win the World Series. Your thoughts, Charlie? “I hope so. I’d rather be the underdog, and I think the players would tell you the same thing. This team, when they’re backed up against a wall, they come back.” . . .
Just the fax: Only four teams generated less action in Las Vegas to win the World Series than the Rockies did. Regular Opening Shots contributor Jay Kornegay, executive director of the world’s largest sports book at the Hilton, tells me the Rox have 63 tickets on them ranging from 300-1 to 12-1. The Pirates had 79, the Royals 72 and the Padres 64. . . .
Count Padres manager Bud Black among those not too quick to discount the Rox. Why? Two words: Ubaldo Jimenez. “I’ve seen him grow,” Black said. “Let’s put it this way: When we get to the probables four or five days before playing the Rockies and I don’t see his name, I feel a smile coming over me.” . . .
Chicago got shut out of the 2016 Olympics despite a personal plea from Barack Obama. So it’s official then. Huston Street is a better closer than the President. . . .
Thought I’d, you know, beat the crowd to this one: A dubya Sunday would put the Broncos at 4-0. They’ve opened 4-0 five times in franchise history and played in the Super Bowl in four of those seasons (1977, 1986, 1997, 1998). . . .
It’s not going to happen, but a man can dream, can’t he? You know, that Mike Shanahan will be coaching the Redskins by Nov. 15, when the Broncos venture to D.C. . . .
Truth is, I don’t know where Shanny will land. But since you insist, I’ll go with the Bears. Why? Because their owner isn’t named Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder. . . .
Given the salary cap and the level playing field, turnovers are more important than ever in the Sunday football league. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Check out the numbers, Sparky. Of the 13 teams that won the turnover battle last weekend, 13 won the game, too. . . .
What’s wrong with this picture? Chris Carpenter, six RBIs Thursday; Brad Hawpe, seven RBIs in September. . . .
Bringing new meaning to a little out of WAC: BCS computer programmer Jeff Sagarin has Boise State ranked No. 2 behind Florida. . . .
The Cowboys, whose two victories are over the winless Panthers and the just as winless Bucs, are 3-point favorites over the Broncos at Invesco. Ladies and gents, I give you America’s Overrated Team. . . .
From the life-ain’t-fair dept.: Braves righty Tim Hudson doesn’t throw a pitch for 404 days after undergoing Tommy John surgery. So what happened the day he was scheduled to make his season debut? What else? A three-hour rain delay. . . .
Just wondering: What did Richard Seymour, last seen trying to rip out Ryan Clady’s hair, really want to do to Bill Belichick after the Pats dealt him to the Raiders? . . .
How conservative is the Broncos’ offense? I have the manager of the year vote and can’t figure out whether to go with Jim Tracy or Kyle Orton. . . .
Dick, the other half of the Monfort Bros., on the state of the Rox: “They’re a team.” Ya think? Even the third- and fourth-stringers brought appetizers to the party, witness this stat: The Rockies are 10-4 in games caught by emergency call-ups Edwin Bellorin and Paul Phillips. . . .
Multiple choice, Dan Hawkins: Kidney stones or 1-3 and heading to the bright lights of Austin? . . .
They say it’s your birthday: Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley (55) and Dave Winfield (58); ex-Bronco Ron Egloff (54); Champions Tourist-in-waiting Fred Couples (50) and Rox outfielder Matt Murton (28).
Contact Jim Armstrong at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@ or catch him weekdays 7-10 a.m. on The Score with Armstrong and Shapiro on Mile High Sports Radio-1510 AM.
Five fearless predictions
Ah, October, a time for pitching gems, dramatic home runs and the Red Sox drinking shots of Jack in the dugout. Here are five fearless predictions for baseball’s postseason:
5. By the power vested in his silver spoon, Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner will declare that henceforth he, not Reggie Jackson, shall be known as Mr. October.
4. Tony La Russa will play Game 3 of the Cardinals-Rockies series under protest after claiming the Rockies’ grounds crew doctored the visitor’s on-deck circle.
3. The Dodgers will flame out in the NLCS, but Manny Ramirez will win Miss Congeniality for the playoffs.
2. The Phillies will win the first eight innings of every game they play.
1. The Angels will win the World Series, prompting an editor at USA Today to pound his fist on a desk and yell across the newsroom: “How are we supposed to fit Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, USA, North America in a headline?”
Not so grand Central
How did the Rockies make the playoffs after their ghastly start? Simple. They beat the stuffing out of the National League Central, finishing 31-11. A look:
Team Rox record
Chicago 4-2
Cincinnati 7-0
Houston 2-5
Milwaukee 6-0
Pittsburgh 6-3
St. Louis 6-1
