We've Clinched 3rd Place in the NL West!

The fanfare won't compare to last year, but don't underestimate the achievement of finishing 3rd in the highly under-competitive NL West! Sure, the D-Backs added Dan Haren in the off-season and Adam Dunn down the stretch and the Dodgers bolstered an already 'devastating' offensive lineup by acquiring Casey Blake and, oh yeah, maybe the best hitter of our generation, Manny "Being Manny!" Ramirez.

The Rocks, meanwhile, add Kip Wells, Josh Towers, Micah Bowie (don't think DT forgot about him) and Luis Vizcaino, and resign Mark Redman. In a move that I endorsed, the Rocks signed Livan Hernandez during the playoff "push". But in reality, that move just highlights the difference between the Rocks and other NL West contenders.

Hmmm, Livan or Manny? It's really no wonder why we weren't in the playoff mix in the final weeks. Considering how pedestrian the NL West is, I can't help but feel much bitterness toward Rockies brass for not making midseason moves that would help this team be competitive down the stretch. Sure, the players didn't execute when it mattered most all season long, but when the rest of the division is adjusting and you just sit there with your thumb up your ass, you will find yourself on the outside looking in more often than not. I hope lessons have been learned and fires have been stoked. The problem is, we're probably losing some of our better performers from this year (Holliday and/or Atkins and Fuentes), so who is to say there is any reason for optimism?

Oh yeah, Hurdle didn't have a good year either. In most organizations committed to winning, he'd be canned by now.

All that said, I'm glad the Rocks swept a worthless road series tonight. No tacos, but pride defended. Check......