Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other Thursday during the 2010 MLB
season.
for the
Rockies Mailbag.
With the slow starts the last three years — yet making the playoffs two of those three years — how important is it for the Rox to get off to a fast start?
–Nathan, Centennial
Nathan, funny thing about April. It hasn’t been kind to the Rockies, as they have compiled a 178-209 record in the month. Worse, they have losing records in April five of the last six seasons. That said, the only month the Rockies have a winning record is September. That shows, as everyone who watched the 2007 and 2009 playoff runs, that they are capable of producing a breathtaking final kick. But digging a hole early cost the Rockies dearly last season — no one more than Clint Hurdle, who was axed.
Forced to make up ground, the Rockies were red-lining from June 1, and admittedly ran out of gas in the
playoffs, namely Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe and Jason Marquis. Here’s the deal with April. They don’t have to get
off to a hot start. They just can’t get off to a bad start. Anything near .500 is fine. I really do believe the
golf analogy that you can’t win a tournament on the first day, but you can lose it.
Keep an eye on Troy Tulowitzki in this regard. Historically, April has been a tough month for him, including
a .200 average last year. He doesn’t offer any excuses. The Rockies often go as he goes, so if he gets off to a
hot start they might be tough for the Dodgers and Giants to catch.
At the Dodgers-Rockies spring training game, designated hitters were used. Why so in a National League
game?
–Suzy, Denver
Suzy, a team can request to use a DH in an NL park to get work for a hitter. The Rockies were surprised that
the Dodgers did it, though. Usually, the teams are informed in advance, especially in the Rockies’ case, since
it can affect their travel squad from Tucson. There should be communication as a common courtesy.
If the Rocks are in the contention for the NL West Division title around trade time, can you see a
possible scenario arising that would have the Rocks making a blockbuster trade — say around trade time — with
the Mariners for Cliff Lee?
–Robert Smith, Denver
Robert, the Rockies only do Blockbuster when they are renting movies. In all seriousness, Colorado has not
been active in huge deals for years. Anyone would want Cliff Lee. He was the postseason’s most dominant pitcher
last year. But Lee is analogous to Roy Halladay’s situation last July. The Rockies definitely have the prospects
to make a deal for Lee, but they aren’t going to invest the $100 million or so it would take to re-sign him.
Given what the Mariners surrendered for Lee, I would be shocked if they don’t give him a monster deal at some
point this season.
Baseball players must not be paid enough. Why else do so many of them refuse to run full-bore to first
base, regardless of the situation? Speed causes errors, jogging to first takes the pressure off the defense and
actually provides opportunities to overcome errors. What is Jim Tracy doing to change this? What are other teams
doing? Is it time to publish a hustle statistic?
–James Taylor, Greenwood Village
James, I have never understood why guys can’t give full effort when they are healthy. Results are hard to
control, but effort isn’t. But the sport is different now. Things are more tolerated than they were 30 to 40
years ago. Arizona’s Augie Ojeda is an example of a player who is a fan favorite because of his grit and hustle.
And when the Rockies had Jamey Carroll, he fit the same profile.
Not everyone is going to be Charlie Hustle. I understand that. But running down the line to first base isn’t
asking much. However, keeping a hustle statistic would be overkill. Just hold guys accountable. No need to lord
over there like an elementary school teacher. While that sounds good in theory, it would go over like an anvil
in the clubhouse. It takes all types to win. And not everyone is going to be a grinder.
To me, it’s generational. Think about how many athletes are admired for just not ending up in the police
blotter? Expectations have changed. Right or wrong.
Todd Helton’s splits last year were .311/.369/.372 against lefties and .332/.437/.548 against righties.
His home-road splits showed some power deterioration as well, though not so pronounced. The Phillies exploited
his vulnerability to lefties in the NLDS, and surely teams were watching. Might it be time to drop Helton down
in the order against lefties? He still sports a nice OBP against lefties, he just can’t score a runner from
first against them with a walk or a weak single to right.
–Bob, Denver
Bob, you make valid points. But the question you have to ask yourself: Is it worth disrupting the lineup for
slightly improved production? The one thing that players hate is a constantly changing lineup. It is one of the
primary reasons that Clint Hurdle lost favor last year in the clubhouse.
Numbers are useful, but they don’t tell the whole story with Helton. No hitter in their lineup gets more
respect from opposing pitchers. He is still the Rockies’ best hitter – as it relates to average and on-base
percentage. To move him around in the lineup at this point, I believe would be counterproductive.
Hey, Troy. What happened to that relief pitcher the Rockies drafted in the first round a couple of years
ago, I think his name was Casey Weathers. If I remember he had some kind of surgery and was out all last year.
Is he back or still out? Will he challenge for a roster spot this year? Thanks.
–Alex, Denver
Alex, Casey Weathers underwent Tommy John elbow surgery following the 2008 season, causing him to miss all of
last year. He’s progressed fine, but was not in big league camp this year. If he’s healthy – and pitchers
usually bounce back more quickly from elbow surgeries than shoulder operations – he could move quickly through
the system again. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him in a Rockies’ uniform at some point this season. But
that’s an educated guess since I haven’t watched him pitch this spring.
Why is it that every time there is a mound conference between the pitcher and the catcher, or some other
player, everybody shields their mouths with their gloves? Has there been a recent breakout of clubs hiring
bilingual lip readers to steal information from these mound chats? I think it has become over-the-top.
Thanks.
–Cory S., Highlands Ranch
Cory, the glove over the face technique is always a treat. Suddenly players go from athletes to a collection
of Moe Bergs, acting as spies for the U.S. government. Truth is, there are a handful of teams that are masterful
at stealing signs and reading lips. It only takes one mistake where you reveal a bunt defense or a pitch, and
there will be regret for not masking the face with the glove. The other issue is TV. There are players who are
up in the clubhouse during the game watching the monitor.
So what seems like idle chat can reveal a secret. I realize it seems a little paranoid. But it’s light years
away from the NFL, where coaches don’t want anyone to see practice or know what kind of coffee is in the team
cafeteria for fear of losing an edge.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 15th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his ninth for
The Denver Post. for the Rockies Mailbag.
