While the Rockies plan their October vacations, former Colorado outfielder Gerardo Parra has again found a role as a reliable veteran leader on a playoff-contending team.
Parra, who played for the Rockies from 2016-18, has become a key contributor in the Nationals’ surge to the top of the National League wild-card standings. He’s hitting .273 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 65 games (27 starts) for Washington. His energy and passion have infected the Nationals’ clubhouse, and he’s become an instant fan favorite for his “Baby Shark” walk-up song that has the whole stadium singing along.
All this late-career momentum came after Parra was designated for assignment in early May by San Francisco, who grabbed him off the veteran scrap heap via a minor league contract before the season. As a comparison, fellow ex-Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez had a similar route this year, originally going to the Indians on a minor league deal before they cut him and he landed with the Cubs. But Gonzalez lasted less than a month in Chicago.
Meanwhile, Parra plays on for a contender. But this ode to “El Yolo” is not to say that Colorado should have kept the 32-year-old this year. General manager Jeff Bridich was right to let Parra and Gonzalez walk, as David Dahl emerged as an all-star while Raimel Tapia has grown with more consistent playing time that wouldn’t have been possible if the veterans stayed.
Even so, it’s nice to see Parra still beaming his thousand-watt smile at stadiums. Few players approach the game with as much unbridled enthusiasm and one final guaranteed fall of seeing him in action will surely be easy on the baseball eyes.
— , The Denver Post
What’s on Tap
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- At St. Louis Cardinals, 5:45 p.m. Thursday, ATTRM
- At St. Louis Cardinals, 6:15 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
- At St. Louis Cardinals, 5:15 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
- At St. Louis Cardinals, 12:15 p.m. Sunday, ATTRM
Must-Read
Rockies beat Diamondbacks behind Tim Melville, an emergency starter
Back in early April, Tim Melville sat in the stands at Chase Field watching the Diamondbacks play baseball, dreaming of a fresh start. Read more…
Jon Gray’s season ends with left foot fracture; Rockies bring up Tim Melville from Triple-A Albuquerque
Jon Gray‘s successful comeback season has come to an unsatisfying end. Read more…
Saunders: Commissioner Rob Manfred must find solution to “juiced” baseballs
At the All-Star Game, Houston ace Justin Verlander ripped Manfred and MLB.
“Itap an (expletive) joke,’’ Verlander told reporters. “Major League Baseball’s turning this game into a joke. They own Rawlings, and you’ve got Manfred up here saying it might be the way they center the pill (in the baseball). They own the company.
“If any other $40 billion company bought out a $400 million company and the product changed dramatically, itap not a guess as to what happened. We all know what happened. Manfred the first time he came in, what’d he say? He said we want more offense. All of a sudden he comes in, the balls are juiced? Itap not coincidence. We’re not idiots.” Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Wade Davis’ steep decline is a riddle the Rockies must solve
+ Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia are big keys to Rockies in 2020
+ Rockies’ Kyle Freeland departs Diamondbacks game with groin injury
+ Rockies’ Scott Oberg, suffering from a blood clot in right arm, out for season
+ With baseball amid a historic power surge, the Rockies find themselves behind the home run curve
+ Rockies’ Raimel Tapia robs the Marlins’ Lewis Brinson of a home run in center field
+ Retired baseball players Octavio Dotel, Luis Castillo linked to Dominican Republic drug ring
+ Rockies prospect update: Infielder Aaron Schunk, closer Jacob Wallace standing out for Boise Hawks
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
+Want to chat about the Rockies?
By The Numbers
2021
Newman: Why the 2021 season will be the Rockies’ truest — and widest — playoff window
Prospect development and massive, dead-weight veteran contracts have much to do with that timeline. Read more…
Parting Shot
In waning weeks of tough season, Rockies’ Bud Black keeps fan criticism of his managing in perspective
Black on Colorado fans calling for his job: “Itap all part of what we do — the praise and the negative criticism.” Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.comortweet me .
