TUCSON — To put it in baseballese, the Rockies historically have had more piano movers than table setters — more big bashers in the middle of their lineup than top-of-the-order types to get on base ahead of them.
The top of their lineup has been a mixed bag of names and results throughout their history. Fact: The Rockies, in their 17 seasons, never have had the same table setters in their opening-day lineup in back-to-back seasons. In the past eight years, they have had seven different leadoff men and seven different No. 2 hitters.
We only mention it because, barring the unforeseen, Carlos Gonzalez will lead off April 5, when the Rockies open the season at Milwaukee, and Dexter Fowler will hit second. And, barring something unforeseen, they’ll open the 2011 season in the same spots.
CarGo and Dex. OK, so it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue like, say, Molitor and Yount.
But Gonzalez and Fowler could provide the Rockies with one of the top table-setter tandems in the National League. Manager Jim Tracy is going to give them a chance to show their athleticism on the basepaths.
“Everyone knows that’s going to be our game,” Gonzalez said. “We want to get the extra bag. Whether we steal 30 or 20 or 40, we’re not going to be looking for numbers. We just want to be able to score and win ballgames.”
Tracy has given the two the green light in the Cactus League and will keep it on during the regular season.
“I want it out there among our players that we’re not a stationary baseball team,” Tracy said. “Those types of teams don’t do too well unless you absolutely have a complete mash unit.
“When are they going to run? Are they going to hit-and-run? When are they going to steal? Are they looking to take the extra base on a ball hit to the outfield? This has all become part of our program. It’s who we are.”
CarGo started 26 late-season games at the top of the order last season. Fowler, meanwhile, hit second in the minors, but led off as a rookie last season until moving to the two hole for 51 at-bats down the stretch.
“I can run like a deer,” Fowler said. Asked if he could approach or exceed 30 stolen bases, he said, “For sure.”
There’s no reason to think either won’t get there. Gonzalez stole 16 bases in 20 attempts in what amounted to a half-season. Fowler went 27-for-37, though he did not have a stolen base once he moved to the second spot in the lineup late in the season.
A year of experience doesn’t just figure to help Fowler at the plate. According to Tracy, it should enable him to be more of a force on the bases.
“I think he can be an even better base-stealer,” Tracy said. “It comes down to reading pitchers, understanding their characteristics and having an opportunity to steal more bases. I saw him get thrown out more times last year where it was obvious there was a little bit of guesswork on his part.
“There aren’t too many players who can outrun the ball, but he’s one of those people. If he can outrun the ball and he can read pitchers, how much better does he get?”
Said Fowler: “It’s trial and error. You go out there and you’ve never seen guys before. It’s tough doing that. It’s like going into a room and not knowing guys and introducing yourself without knowing anyone’s personality. This year, you can go out there every day and it’s like you know who you’re playing against.”
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
