Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other Monday during the 2011 MLB season.
for the Rockies Mailbag.
Troy – I saw mention in The Post this morning of a left-handed pitching machine. This made me wonder how it differs from a “normal” pitching machine. Is the angle or spin different? Is this something you adjust on a machine to make it throw “left-handed”? Thanks.
— Mike Paugh, Westminster
Mike – They tilt the pitching machine to mimic the movement on a left-handed curveball. So to answer your question, it is an adjustment of the machine. The Rockies will take the machine on the road with them. Historically, the first games of a road trip have been brutal offensively, with the curveballs and sliders looking sharper to hitters than the ones they saw at Coors Field.
Players I have spoken to are mixed on the idea. Some aren’t sure it will make a difference, that any road improvement will be tied to mental improvement. Others welcome the pitching machine as thinking outside the batter’s box, if you will.
Troy – Compare and contrast Ian Stewart and Troy Tulowitzki. Isn’t this the tale of two California kids — both with lots of natural talent — but one who plays baseball for a living and the other who lives to play baseball? I suspect Ty Wigginton will get lots of time at third base.
— Tom Satriano, Golden
Tom – Troy Tulowitzki is a once-in-a-generation player, a star whose intangibles match his talent. Tulo has been a leader on every team he’s played. It’s no coincidence that only one team in his life has had a losing record.
Stewart’s personality is different, laid-back. It doesn’t mean he can’t be a star. Sometimes carefree creates a path to greatness (see Andruw Jones, Manny Ramirez). But Stewart has to find a way to stay on the field, avoiding injury and ineffectiveness against left-handers.
The Rockies have challenged Stewart to get better. It’s no coincidence. He’s starting to make money. Ty Wigginton was brought in to play, not sit. It could very well be at third. The Rockies are a better team, however, if he plays all over.
Hey, Troy. As always, fantastic work this spring so far. Do you have any insight on why FSN apparently has no interest in televising the Rockies’ spring training baseball? They are currently scheduled to televise four games all spring. KOA is a bit better, but even they limit their coverage to mostly weekend games. I know it’s just spring, but a lot of other less-interesting teams (Orioles, Padres, Astros) seem to make it more of a priority. I thought this would be the year FSN/KOA would realize people do want to watch and listen to baseball — even in March. Thanks, Troy.
— Jeff Dillon, Loveland
Jeff – The easiest explanation, courtesy of Allen Iverson. “It’s practice. You’re talking about practice.” Or practice games specifically.
The TV production costs are high. There is not enough upside, is my guess, for anything but weekend games. KOA faces a similar situation, where it would have to cut in to highly rated weekday programs. The weekends seem to make more sense. Based on those , I know there is interest. But is there enough to make financial sense?
Where do the Rockies stay when in Arizona for spring training? Are they all in a hotel together?
— Charles Johns, Lakewood
Charles – Many of the veteran players rent houses, condos or apartments. The Rockies made the decision this year to put everyone else near old town Scottsdale. It cost more, but the idea was to keep the pack together in a central location.
Troy – How do you feel the Rockies will adjust and respond to being the excitement in sports for Denver — and Colorado, for that matter? The Broncos are bad; the Nuggets just traded their fan favorites; and the Avs are mediocre. With all this and college sports in Colorado being bad, there seems to be a big spotlight on the Rockies right now.
— Josh, Boise, Idaho
Josh – The Rockies have had issues of dealing with expectations. They have been at their best when under the radar, as they were in 2007 and 2009. But to be great, they have to get over that. Their days of anonymity are over as long as Tulo, Carlos Gonzalez and Ubaldo Jimenez are in tow.
The key is not trying to do too much, to trust that the player next to you will do his job. Whether it’s a critical at-bat, or a pitch in relief. When players try to win games alone, the results are usually abysmal.
Do you ever find it hard to balance real journalism with sources vs. blogosphere with opinions and hyperbole that you have to then write about at times?
— Karl J. Satrum, Thornton
Karl – The job has evolved since I became a beat writer at The Denver Post in 2002. It is relentless with Twitter, blogs and Internet stories. The immediacy makes the job more difficult. News is a return key away.
I enjoy the interaction and direct connection with the audience. There’s never any problem finding something to write about. In baseball, given the access to the players, you are only limited by your imagination.
What will it take for Jonathan Herrera to secure the position of everyday second baseman?
— Judy Frieman, Denver
Judy – He does everything that the Rockies ask of their players — he’s unselfish offensively, can bunt and hit to the opposite field. Defensively, he makes all the routine plays. He also brings energy to the field. He’s played so well this spring that manager Jim Tracy is waiting to name a starter. My feeling has been for weeks that Herrera and Jose Lopez will share second base.
Does Aaron Cook figure in the Rockies plans for 2011?
— Bob, Englewood
Bob – He figured prominently in their plans. Then spring training started.
It’s been a bad movie for Cook. His shoulder became inflamed in his second bullpen session. After responding to a cortisone shot, he was ready to throw again last Friday. That was before he slammed his right ring finger in a door, breaking it at the tip.
He can’t throw for two weeks. If he can be a factor by May 15, that would be a plus. It would be nice to have a fresh arm in the rotation to give the team a boost. But he has to prove he’s healthy and pitch well on a rehab assignment before he’ll be back with the Rockies.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 16th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his 10th for The Denver Post. for the Rockies Mailbag.
