Colorado’s longest streak of consecutive victories in baseball may be exclusively eaten by Eaton.
And why not? The Fightin’ Reds, who long have treated baseball as a religion, have gobbled up many other in-state honors. They own a volume of assorted streaks and records, so what’s one more entry in a book that seems about as thick as “War and Peace”?
A highlighter’s output would be tested. Coach Jim Danley’s record is 674-149-2, 8-0 in 2010. The Fightin’ Reds have won the last two Class 3A titles, were undefeated in 2009 and occupy their regular top spot in The Denver Post/ 9News 3A poll. They have won nine Colorado pennants since 1994. They have made at least the state semifinals the past 17 seasons, when they also advanced to 14 championship games. There have been 30 league titles and a national small-school coach of the year award for Danley in 2009.
Still, it could turn better. Eaton will be at Valley today (4 p.m.) in the 3A Patriot League, ordinarily a matchup of serious rivals. Further enticement centers on the possibility of a Fightin’ Reds’ victory that would be their 46th in succession, one more than their state mark first set from 1998-99 and duplicated by Niwot over 2004-05.
Eaton won its final 12 games in 2008 and was 25-0 last season.
Just don’t expect anyone from Weld County to set off any fireworks if Eaton makes it to 9-0 today.
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Danley joked when reminded his team had another chance at making history.
It’s the way it is at Eaton, where good baseball is assumed like the sun rising to indicate morning. The Fightin’ Reds won’t constantly remind you of it. There’s no sense of entitlement, only encouragement. Generations of Eaton kids still have multiple red-pinstriped jerseys in their closets as if they’re Phillies fans. At one point, Eaton had players on its roster with apt surnames of Batt and Ball.
But it’s the Fightin’ Reds’ humility and class as much as their commitment to hard work that have highlighted Danley’s 39 years in command, a confident run heavily modified by aw-shucks reactions. Case in point: Last week, Eaton crushed Denver Christian 29-1, but was hesitant to report the actual score. Not embarrassing the Crusaders was as important as getting the victory.
Danley remembers what it was like on the other end.
“Going back to the ’60s and ’70s, when Valley had great teams, the rest of us tried not to lose in five innings (under the mercy rule) to them,” Danley said. “If you went seven innings against them, you had a good day.”
Eaton’s archrival Vikings, who won three consecutive championships from 1978-80, also were tied with Grand Junction (1960-62) for the previous mark of 42 consecutive victories.
Of course, Valley, 4-3 through Tuesday and which had its streak from 1979-81, instituted it after a loss to Eaton.
“It ought to be interesting,” Danley said.
With four players selected in the amateur draft a year ago, Eaton is on such a roll that it probably could run through some stop signs and get away with it.
Even Danley, well-versed in the game’s variables, didn’t see this coming from his players.
“I could make it sound better, but the real truth is I am somewhat surprised they’ve covered as much ground as they needed to cover,” he said. “I take my hat off to them. They’ve worked hard in the summer and fall. I’m very pleasantly surprised and am really proud of our pitching staff, which is really coming around.
“The future and immediate future look really good.”
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
