I Can't Say Enough About How Rad This Photo Is

How long til pitchers and catchers report?

That's Right My Friend, I'm the Manager of the Year

Congrats dude; to say that it's a well-deserved award is an understatement. Then again, in contrast to Hurdle, I could probably win manager of the year.

Stoked to have to have this 'really special' manager in the Rocks' clubhouse the next three years. Now let's go win some pennants!!

Well That Sure Sucked

This picture is from the end of Game 4, but could have also been taken at the end of Game 3. A soul-crushing way to end an otherwise awesome season. Lots of blame to go around from the obvious two losses (and blown save) by Street, to the lackluster plate performances from starting position players not named Carlos or Yorvit, to the hitless playoff wonder that was Clint Barmes (dude - we would have settled for ONE hit in the bottom of the 8th for the whole series), to the questionable and flat wrong calls by the umps, to the entirely too many damn walks given up by the Rocks. Bottom line is the Phils' starting pitching and offensive stars (1-5 spots beyond scary) were superior to the Rocks'.

The straight-up statistics would indicate this series was a blow out, but the scoreboard indicates it was a highly competitive, white-knuckle affair with the exception of Game 1. In the end, the more talented and experienced team won out, which is hard to feel too bad about. Still, after enduring a snow postponement and freezing to the bone in a one run loss Sun night, to be given hope with 8th inning offensive heroics in Game 4, only to have it smashed to pieces in the top of the 9th is straight-up cruel. It feels like this season deserved a much better ending. But, as the old saying goes: those baseball gods sure are a bunch of cocksuckers.

I ain't over it yet and I won't be able to engage in hot stove talk for at least a couple of more days, but through my disappointment, disillusionment, and raw anger, even I can see there should be a solid future for this team. That was a big question mark going into this season when the magical '07 World Series run was seen through the fecal prism that was the 2008 season. With some smart (read: not totally cheapskate) tinkering of veteran players to go along with the young core of very talented and now more experienced players (Carlos and Tulo have to be the cornerstones), this team should at least be in the playoff mix for the next few years.

Which gets me back to the blame game I love so much. Forget all the factors listed above for why we lost this series. I'm going to take this final opportunity to blame our exit on Clint Hurdle. Yes, Hurdle gets all the credit for this one. Had he not dug the team in such a hole for the first two months of the season, we would have won the West rather easily and hosted the NLDS against the Cards. After sweeping the Cards, we would have gone on to oust the Phils with home field advantage. Thanks a lot Hurdle. Still screwing up my baseball enjoyment 4 months after being released as manager...

View From The Top Row at Coors Last Night

Yes, it was cold. But, as someone sitting in what had to be one of the coldest seats in the joint, I still say FUCK domes....

I Think Chase Utley Might Have Hit That Single Off His Leg

Not that you should expect to win in the playoffs when you walk as many batters as the Rockies did (maybe due to a lame strike zone for Rocks' pitchers?), but the 'hit' that allowed the sac fly to decide the game was not a hit. Oh well.....the series ain't over. Rockies shouldn't be afraid. Win tomorrow and the series is still within reach. Ublado, what ya got?

(Side note - shit it was cold there tonight....feel free to warm up tomorrow D-town).

Things to do when the playoffs are snowed out....

Lame arctic blast wiping out tonight's Game 3 matchcup at Coors Field. Been kind of curious about how many regular season games I went to this year, so I dug out the stubs. If this is an accurate account, I went to at least 30 games. At an average Aramark clip of $25/game, that works out to about $750 in beer money spent at Coors Field this year (so far). I'm not really sure how I feel about all of this.....

Even it up.

Not able to "watch" today's game while working. It's a cruel fact of playoff baseball. Thank goodness for the benign workplace world of GameCast. Gotta say it was like I was watching the damn game on TV...I could barely monitor Street's bottom half. I get nervous.
Sizing up my Coors field wardrobe for the weekend. Lots of layers topped off with some Gore-Tex...don't think my Rockies gloves are going to be "extreme" enough to handle the projected weather. Brrr.
That said, great equalizer today Rockies. Suddenly we got home field advantage. 2 at Coors, to control/win this series. I'm looking forward to it...frostbitten digits and all.

Nice to See You Again to Start the Postseason!

Crested Butte Trout Dog here.....Remember my pre-season post? Doubt it. I think I said something along the lines of the Rocks have a chance to win the West if the starting rotation is decent, the hitting lives up to potential, and they survive a brutal early season schedule. Well, the starting rotation was more consistent than I could have dreamed, the offense generally fell short of expectations, but was oddly very clutch at times, and the Rocks took a big nose dive early in the season. Then Hurdle got fired and things improved, a lot.

Well, the Rocks didn't win the West (in accordance with my prediction above because none of those things happened), but they are back in the playoffs, bitch. No one at the start of the year was predicting a chance at post season play. Let's try to keep that in mind as the NLDS begins in 13 hours. Really hard to say how we'll fare against the defending champs, but we're here. Sure, I now have lofty expectations, but looking back at how I was assessing the upcoming season on that sunny slopeside afternoon, this is all gravy...

A Nice Little Season Actually....

Being at the game yesterday did not suck. Either does this Rockies baseball club. Beat LA!!!

First step.

Who Would've Thunk It?

In early June, I sure the hell wouldn't have thought it possible. Pretty freakin' amazing what has happened this season to have a magic number of 1 with four games to go. It would take some major bed-shitting down the stretch at this point to blow it, as the Rocks take a major step in the last couple days to make the playoffs (no jinx, no jinx). DT and I will be in the house tomorrow when the Rocks hopefully punch that post season ticket. Oh, and nice 'hawk, bro.

Sometimes things work out. Ain't that great?

Thank god for some I-Dog heroics. Buck up, there Street. A poor inning sent this shit longer than it should have been. Whoo Hoo. Rox overcome the Kendall fluke. Respect to I-Dog. DeathTruck still loose in Coors? TD and me fleeing in extra innings, didn't see the end. Shamed. Some cute mousey Baltimore chick left too and missed a great end, whoever you are, I'm sorry for that. It's work related, y'all.
Yipee Chris I. I've never been this baffled. Gaffled up from a false accusation. Maybe you got worth I-Dog.

Barmes Is With Leather

Crucial, crucial W for the Rocks today thanks to a very nifty game-saving catch and double play by a certain 2nd Baseman who hasn't hit in months. Face Pujols. It really shouldn't have been this close if the bottom part of the lineup would have been able to score a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs. By my count, they failed to convert those into runs in four innings. Apparently, no one (Stew Bag especially) likes insurance. All's well that ends well, but those squandered chances would have left a terrible taste if Ludwig's hit falls and the Rocks end up losing.

Of course the Braves win again, so the stress continues with one week left in the season. Already looking forward the final Guys Night Out on Tuesday that opens a must-win series with the Brewers.

Oh yeah, DLR gets win #16, but it was not a brilliant performance.

Should've Worn My Rockies Gloves.

Whoa. Cold night out at Coors Field this evening. Wet, chilly, and rather long. Some bad bullpen work that just about undid a big lead wasn't too fun to have to endure. It was a wild game....and one that thankfully ended with a W.

I'm hearing about "magic numbers" and shit.

Giambi Likes Breathing Room Too You Know

Two crucial wins in the desert to complete an otherwise forgettable road trip. The Thong goes yard twice in these victories, which provided some insurance in each of the two games and ultimately in the standings. Looking like a pretty brilliant acquisition at this point to bring in the menacing left-hander for the stretch run. With the Giants, Marlins, and Braves all losing today, the Rocks have to feel much better than they did last Wed night taking the field in SF with a DLR-Cain matchup and only a 2 1/2 game lead in the Wild Card race.

12 games to go: 9 at home and 3 on the road. With a 4 1/2 game lead, I like how the math is working out. Still, considering the last 3 games are played in LA (where the Rocks traditionally lose), the team really needs to continue the dominance at Coors and over the NL Central with the Cards and the Brew Crew comprising 2/3 of the home stand.

Brad Hawpe post-All Star Game. Send his ass to Tulsa.

...because he flat sucks.
Rox pitching falling back to Earth like David Bowie in a sci-fi themed motion picture....
This team really doesn't look like a playoff caliber group.

Amazing that they find themselves in the position that they are in the Wild Card. Could change soon....Giants, Marlins, and the Braves are close and playing much better ball.

That's right my friend

War DLR... yes war dlr... there I said it; that shite was much needed.

some clutchnes out of Barmey and Stewbag as well? whammy? hang your hat on that Cowboy.

A taste Of the Rose

Death Truck my friend....you were a bit premature in your celebration, as I double up your post in a hurry. Jesus....what a horrid fucking bottom of the 9th.

Hip Hip Jorge, as they say....

Thank god for some Jorge.

Nice to see some Tulo and Stew-Bag Dongs too.

Hawpe. Fake All-Star.

Let's revisit the Big Issue: 9th inning bullpen bed-shitting.

Morales needs to dial it down a notch. Or hopefully never be in a position to pitch. Tulo ERRORS???? Bettencourt making me sweat.....I miss Street.

F U C K I N G crucial win. I could barely watch the end.

or don't, you goddam chokers.
rox look lost and pretty much like shit. another total beat down on the road in the NL West.
not good.

Raise Your Hand If You Really Need To Start Hitting

Not to name names, but some of the veteran 'stars' on this team need to start stepping up and contributing offensively. It's no secret the Rocks have struggled lately to score and what offense they have put up lately is largely due to the emerging youngsters (and an aging catcher). If the Rockies are going to make the playoffs, the vets on this team need to contribute heavily down the stretch.

And by the way tonight's game is going, it looks like it's up to Ublado or DLR (and maybe an offensive outburst?!?) to get us at least one win in SF. If that doesn't happen, it's extra high stress from here on out.....

Yorvit!!!!!!

One of the best games I've seen recently. Baseball rules....so do the Rockies. Nice purple jersey Yorvit?!?!?!?

Loving the chance to re-post this 7 Seconds, 7" doctored upload gem. 7 in a row. Again.
In 2009, for real.
Best 10 game homestand in Rockies' history.
The NL West is happening. Respect is due.

Mr. Late Night says make it six in a row....

Probably would have also accepted a post title with some sort of play on "Hammel Time". A great outing that doesn't produce a W, due to a couple damaging doubles in the 8th.

Seth Smith continues to demonstrate his clutchness with a 2-out, bottom of the 9th, bases-loaded single. Hard to fathom the run the guy is having at the plate lately. Brandon Phillips just about able to make a great play on Smith's hit...but when things are going your way, you know? Smith is hitting .471 in September, with a boatload of RBI's already.

Purple broom time tomorrow. Everyone's favorite - Kip Wells on the mound tomorrow afternoon for the Reds.

4 up on the Gigantes in the WC.

Are the Dodgers and the NL West crown back in this team's sights? Did I just jinx them? Hope not.

Hell Yeah, I Like Five In A Row

Yet another entertaining Guys Night Out evening at Coors, as the Rocks quietly take their fifth in a row and go 7-1 on the current homestand. Not a bad record at all, but with the pressure being applied by the Giants, gotta keep the pedal to the metal and make this at least 8-2 before going on the road. STJr seemed to enjoy Sec 111 tonight and what wasn't to love? Great weather, a well-pitched game where the home team wins, Marq-Dog gets win #15, EYJr is the offensive hero, and some annoying Cubs fan lecturing everyone on what it means to be a real fan...I guess you can't get it all.

The Golden Thong Delivers!!

Car-Gone!!

BSB is back open for business. Last night's win was the perfect tonic for righting a wayward ship on a 5-game losing streak. Car-Gone's bomb makes it pretty clear his hand is healed (enough at least). Breathing wildfire smoke aside, it was a great GNO. Even the Golden Thong got a four-pitch walk to "drive" in a run with his first pinch hit with the Rocks. The bats need to stay hot and Ubaldo needs to bring his A game tonight. Let's build some momentum in this oh so crucial stretch of home games!!

SORRY: Site down again until the Rockies are able to win a game, and not fully suck quite as much as they have for nearly a week.

What the hell Todd???

What is Todd Helton f-ing thinking? This is clearly a sign of old age and bad judgment. Could things get any worse? No, I'm not upset about old Todd's lackluster effort today Coors Field. It's worse then that. It is really, really, really, really bad.
I don't know what you really call it. Coming to the Plate Music? At Bat Jams? Batting Tunes? Theme Song? Anyways Todd. Yours sucks! This music is supposed to be inspirational and uplifting. Yours is downright depressing Todd! Fix it now.
"These Are My People" by Rodney Atkins??? No way man. Here is my suggestion to you Todd. Use it.

Rough night for DragonSlayers

Not the Rockies' night in general either.

Fogg unfortunately forced into a start that most certainly doesn't suit him at this point, better out of the 'pen, dude was not really able to locate his pitches this evening.

Doesn't help that Wolf (god, he has been money for the Dodgers) is on the mound for LA, and one major cocksucker with the initials AE really living up to that moniker with a couple dongs.

Offensively, Spilly continues to warrant the fact that he survived what are now obviously ill-advised trade talks earlier this season.

Oh, and EYjr led the team in hits tonight. Nice for the Youngster.

"How much do you want for the Fantasy themed Tele custom?"

"But Dad, do we get kicked in the nuts during the Rockies game or after?"

"Sorry children, I didn't realize your khaki shorts were so vulnerable. Nor did I realize that Tulo would be so damn clutch in extra innings. To answer your stupid question, it will be a relentless kick to the balls that will begin during the game, and linger for quite some time after the Rockies have beat our fucking Dodgers. You'll beg for it to stop, but the only solace or shelter in Dodgertown you will find will be an old jockstrap of Steve Garvey's. The shelter will be minimal."

Wow. Great game tonight. Coors Field is really apeshit these days, as well it should be. Not sure what I was going for with the narrative above...to read it, one would think I was altered from stadium brews or some such.

Holy Shit! That's Mr. Spilly!

With all due respect to Marq-Dog, who pitched a gem......the headline goes to Senor Spilly....

What an unlikely series of events between what was two utterly inept offenses for the first 13 innings of the game who then decide to explode for a combined eight runs in the 14th. Spilly, who hit into a win-crushing double play a few innings earlier, drills a walk-off grand slam. It's possible I'm currently sleeping and this is all some weird dream, but that was one hell of a game. I could go on, but I need to get some beauty sleep before Guys Night Out tomorrow night.....

Just Thought I'd Drop By And Say, "Hey!"

I bet y'all have missed me around these parts. Well, if you were at the game last night, you got a little backwash flavor of the old Hurdle era. Yeah, I like the moves to keep Ianetta in the lineup and why keep the hottest hitter in the league this side of Matt Holliday in the lineup (C-Gone), when you can insert the red-hot Spilly. The only move I question is not keeping Cookie in the game a little longer to completely fuck up his shoulder.

Even though the offense didn't produce shit all night, we did get some good barrel on the ball, and that counts for something, right?

C-GON!!!!!!

The dude is living up to the nickname I was hearing during his A's days... The Car-Go moniker is more popular and fashionable apparently....but Jesus H Christ, Carlos is on a Home Run, baseballs being sent "gone", rampage.

Love this quote from Tracy before tonight's game. "Carlos Gonzalez is doing some serious damage offensively right now." No shit, dude.

Some love to Barmes due as well, he was able to tack one on we didn't know we needed, until Street made things all kinds of dicey. He hasn't looked sharp lately.

Ubaldo? Fairly magnificent besides the early innings...

THE WILD CARD is just nuts....SF and the Marlins get their wins as well. Braves lose. Time to seperate the wheat from the chaff, I guess...though in my mind all teams besides the Rox are chaff, so technically unwanted. Don't get me started on the ancient process of winnowing...

Welcome to the Rocks, Tyler

Pretty shocking that the Rocks actually do sign the highly-touted top LHP prospect out of high school, Tyler Matzek. Let's hope he isn't the next Greg Reynolds

Roid Rage on Ump with the Sweaty Belly

You know the deal with the PEDs. You love the HRs, but you got to expect some episodes like the one Tulo had with the damp gutted ump in the second game of today's double header.

I hope Game 1 was a fluky outing by Cook indicative of rust and not evidence that the toe is still an issue. The "night cap" was one wacky game. Rocks definitely needed to get the win. The Fish are frightening. Get us the hell out of Miami and to what should be kinder pastures of DC.

Palling around with Brian McNamee

Ok, that's not really Brian McNamee, but as requested somthing needed to be said about the ridiculous play of Troy Tulowitzki lately. I don't know how many players have gone concourse twice in one game, but Tulo did on Monday. And he's hit dongs in 3 of the last 4 games... not bad. You might want to think about sharing some of those roids with your friends G and I Dog (I don't really think Tulo's on roids; I just think it's funny to blog about Herges-related topics).

Tulo with some 1st inning yardwork....

Been awhile since I've done what the real bloggers call, "live blogging", but felt I should throw up a post, after that monumental Tulo-dong in the bottom of the first. Shit, that was one where you had a better chance at that ball if you were in the beer line on the left field concourse than in any actual seats.

Let's take this series. Quit looking so damn dicey DLR...

UPDATE: Tulo screwed on a granny dong numero dos. Not foul.

Seeing life. Through the bottom of a stadium beer cup. It's the only way...

Crazy fun night out at the old ball yard last evening. Especially sweet to kick off the homestand with a win against the Cubs.
Rockies were able to take advantage of the late Zambrano scratch and jump all over Marshall early, not to mention tiring out the bullpen after Marshall got the 2nd inning hook.
Really encouraging night at the plate for Fowler and Car-Go, and even I-Dog able to contribute with the game's only HR. Tracy finally sits the slumptastic Barmes (sheesh, 2 for his last 46?!?).
Nice to see that the majority of fans were for the home team, my guess is 2/3rds of the crowd were Rockies backers.

Obligatory pre & post game Natty Lights at Swanky's, on top of the numerous stadium brews, making for a hazy subdued Saturday at the Tooth household.

Keep rolling, Rocks.....

Cubs zombies to invade Denver....

With this little bastard as their soulless zombie overlord, the streets of Denver will be awash with mindless idiots in jerseys bearing the names of Grace, Sandberg, Santo, and maybe even a couple Sosas. It will be horrible.

You got to do what you can to stem the tide...wish I had tix to all the games instead of just tonight. Going to be an unfortunate amount of Blue & Red taking over Coors Field the next few days.

I'm throwing beer on every person I see wearing a "Fukedome is my homie" t-shirt.

Update: You Come Back Tomorrow, or Maybe the Next Day & Start A New Win Streak!

World Champs?!?!

Maybe caught the Phils at a good time, as they are in a bit of reel right now.
G-Dog doing an admirable job of trying to restore his good name with a 4 RBI night that includes a roundtripper.
Fowler with some awesome fielding, particularly in the bottom of the 7th. Hammel able to get out of a pretty dicey bases-loaded jam in the Phillies half of the 3rd, striking out Howard. On the downside, Barmes continues to suck at the plate. If the Rockies were in a normal year swoon, would we be seeing EY Jr, instead of the slumping Barmey?

Too bad the rest of the Wild Card teams are hanging so damn tough. Or, too bad the Dodgers don't hit a real honest-to-goodness rough patch where their stranglehold on the NL West can get below 5 games.......
Little Lloyd Christmas over there on the right can't be liking tonight's outcome.

Road Sweepins

Marq-Dog was denied his 13th victory, but the Rocks showed some grit and pulled out their first extra inning win of the year. In a way, that might be better than the more conventional route to victory that this game seemed to be on course for. Dex and I-Dog really come up big in the 11th. Who would've thunk that? Considering how bad the Giants are killing the Phils, it's damn good timing to sweep a road series and notch four in a row after a rough start to the roadie. Enjoy the day off tomorrow and being concocting that '07 road playoff magic that happened in Philly. Maybe Kaz can play 2B for this series?!?

Oh, and the Rocks are enjoying a season-high 11 games over .500 record at the moment. Bravo....

gracias a dios para jorge....

Well holy fucking shit. (apologies to any Catholics or other religious types) Pretty much took our best pitcher. best pitcher. best pitcher. Had to repeat to orient myself with the notion.
Anyways, pretty much took our best pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa, to keep Met bats at bay, rope a double himself, and prevent a goddam 4 game sweep at the hands of the Mets. A team that was/is in total dissaray. Poor start to the roadtrip. Thankfully the bleeding was halted.
Barmes continues his "how about I hit a home run every now and again, so no one freaks out about my tanking average?" routine. I like Barmes...but he needs to hit a lot more dongs to offset his shit-ass OBP and average these days.
Time to turn this roadie around.
One more Jorge start like this and I just may be so inclined to pick myself up a #29 jersey.
Looks like O'Dowd thinks this team is set as the trade deadline approaches. Not surprising, knowing the Rockies.
Hopefully he's right....most of the NL competition got better over the past week.

Maybe I Need To Go Back To The Springs?!?

I can't believe I'm clamoring for Roof Top to be put in at 2nd, but Barmey has been complete garbage at the plate lately. It was somewhat possible to overlook the lingering slump, considering he's been playing pretty sweet D, but even that was suspect tonight when he booted what should have been a double play. Throw in six LOB from Barmes alone (not to mention a collective lack of clutch hitting in this series so far) and you got a pretty shitty night.

Don't like the look of this roadie at all so far. It's reminiscent of the '08 / early '09 Rockies. And with Santana going tomorrow, things don't get any easier. At least Tracy got booted after a really horrible call at the plate. I hope that provides some inspiration.....

Taaaadd, Came On.

An odd title, I know. Perhaps even a little gross. But, having not been at the game today to tell yell Cmon Taaadd, this is the best I can do. With the bats anemic pretty much the whole game (and since the early going last night), Helton comes up clutch on a couple occassions, especially the late dong.

Still would have liked to see a sweep, but after the mess last night and the way this game was going, a series win against the always troubling D-Bags will have to do. Losing the series would have been downright painful. Thanks Taaaddd and congrats on double #500!!

Side note, having listened to the Voices of Summer today, a lot was made of the crazy knuckling action on Upton's line drive that Fowler botched last night, which turned out to be crucial. Maybe everyone was a little tough on FowlDog at Coors last night.)

Up next: Why has the bullpen been sucking lately?

Oooh, that feels good....

It's been too long since the Rocks played, or made sweet love to the win column. Cookie and Super Seth couldn't wait until the final out.......

"Sonic Tooth, I agree, you don't want to go into the All-Star Break with a losing streak. Also, I took your constructive criticism to heart and decided to pick up some clutch hits today. I hope you enjoyed them. Do you like walk-off wins? I do."

This ain't no way to head into the All-Star Break

I snapped this screenshot of The Cowboy taking a postgame nap and snoring like he was sawing logs - all the while drooling out of the corner of his mouth, with some chick behind him who was going nuts to get on TV. Pretty compelling television, FSN might want to institute some better quality control, or at least Huson should slap Tracy in the back of the head when he slips into a snooze.

What about the game? It sucked.

Hawpe is looking sort of un-All Star-ish lately. Maybe the excitement of being at the Mid-Summer Classic will re-energize him. He frankly looks tired, and has let the team down in the clutch.

I think it might be time to start easing up on the fucking "try to steal a bag every time someone with remote speed gets to 1st". It is in part due to some bad luck, but I have seen so many double plays with a runner in motion over the past couple weeks, pickles, and just flat getting caught stealing.

Hello? Bats? Get hot and opportune anytime now........4 runs over 2 games won't win many games. Sure didn't the past couple.