Will be down there in a few weeks.  Was wondering if anybody could give tips on:

 

1.  Minor league workout times and fields?

2. Major league workout times and fields?

3. Places around the complext to see?

4. Easiest way to get there from Mesa?

5. Rockies D backs batting cage times?

6. Food offerings??

7.  Hotels nearby?

8. Schedules for minor league games?

 

My thanks to the Pit for being such a great place to chat!

I sat around the last two nights watching Ken Burns sequel with my son and daughter and contemplating a career that just quite did not make it to the show.  I watched highlights from players I had played against in the minors, have big time moments.  Then spiral into illicit steroid and illegal drug use.  I recall the players I played against such as Steve Howe, Ken Caminiti, Eric Show, and Rod Scurry who all suffered untimely deaths due to an inability to tame demons that would haunt them forever.  I can tell you they were all extreme talented individuals.  They were simply victims of poor choices.

My time was a unique time in that I bridged the Pittsburgh Drug trial era and saw the onset of the steroid era.  I can remember the greenies guys took.  Seeing guys shoot up roids.  Playing against Canseco (Huntsville, also McGwire for a period as well) in the Texas League in the 80s and thinking where the heck did these creatures come from.  I remember teammates drowning themselves in liquor which was the other demon for players back then.  I spent my time chasing the girls and jogging 10 miles every night.   As a fringe player the temptation was always there but I was the product of a rural/farm upbringing with strict parents and the temptations were far outweighted by a realization that doing it right and coming up short was more important than doing it wrong and succeeding. I was always taught to never put anything foreign in your body unless you were sick.

As I sat there I pondered "what if" I would have succombed to the illicit opportunities that surrounded me then.  Would I have made the bigs?  How would I look at my life now knowing I sold my soul then.  Could I look my kids in the eye today with no reservations or regrets, damn straight I can. 

Many of the bloggers on this site are younger people less than 30 years old with a lifetime of choices ahead of them.  I can only offer the advice that if your heart tells you it is wrong, then it likely is.  Always follow it and you will likely feel at personal peace.  I sat here as a 50 something today knowing that I always let my abilites in my life drive my decisions and performance (whether in business or in baseball).  Never take short cuts, always use executive function, and never give up on your own ability to make a difference. 

Value your legacy, make sure you can talk to your kids about your formative years with no regrets and pride.  Watching this program stirred some emotions in me that I had not felt in 25-30 years.  It was a cleansing experience and one I thought I would share with all of you.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=5035186

 

Given our historic hatred of ESPN and basically anything east coast. Could this be a bad sign, an omen, a jinx, an albatross?  He does predict sainthood for Tulo.  As usual the masses from the east lambast this pick as trendy, at the expense of two of their own (Philly and the Yanks).  I spent the weekend in NYC as my company had a project there.  Wore my Rocks hat around everywhere and the masses looked at me like I was a unicorn or an alien from outer space.

Given the lack of games to follow and my general boredom, I thought I would stir the pot with some roster predictions.  Here is the predictions and those with an L are considered locks.  I suspect there will be 13 position players and 12 pitchers head north so without further adieu:

 

Catcher

Olivio L

Iannetta L

McKenry

Infielders

Helton L

Barmes L

Tulo L

Stewart L

I see the need for one additional infielder among EYJ, Gomez and Nelson, but I suspect a NR invitee or veteran would be better suited for this role.

 

Outfield

All five make it as locks (Hawpe, Cargo, Fowler, Spilly and Smith)

 

Pitching (Now we get interesting, Iassume Taylor Buckholz is out until June)

Cook L

Francis L

De La Rosa L

Jimenez L

Hammel L

Daley L

Betancourt L

Street L

Morales L (Given the shortage of lefties)

That leaves three open spots.  I suspect one will be a LH reliever  (Flores), another RH reliever (Corpas) and one long man TBD (Belisle)

To preface my remarks, I am a Rockies Fan that used to be a Card fan.  Grew up following the Cards of the 60s,70s,80s and moved to Denver in the lkate 80's and started rooting for the Rocks upon their inception.  I root for the Cards in a secondary fashion.  As a Rockies fan I was troubled by the loot St. Louis gave to get him last summer.  As a Rocks fan I was aware of the Holliday fielding defiencies, and inability to hit middle-in pitches consistently.  The bigger issue was his hiring of Scott Boras in 2006.  A clear sign he intended to test the market in 2009.  Rocks gave him a raise to buy out his remaining arbitration years at a premium following 2007.  But it was obvious he was going to market.  They dealt him and got some pretty good MLB ready guys who helped in 2009.  CarGo will likely surpass Holliday as he is a legit 5 tool kid poised for stardom.  You may want to nab him for your fantasy leagues next year. The A's got Holliday basically to try to turn him for some good talent.  They figured someone would be ready to bite in mid season.  Billy Beane is many things and among them an opportunist.  The Cards unloaded some significant jack for a three month player.  The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and a few other teams can afford to do this, the Cards cannot.  Now you are stuck looking for the same thing you were three months ago  (Albert protection with production).  Holliday turned down 4 years and 80M from the Rocks.  Do you think he will settle for less?  Not under Boras' watch.  He wants a shot at the Red Sox and the Yanks figuring that each may have LF holes where Holliday will fit the bill.  I read in the STL Today site where many Card fans want to focus on rebuilding from within.  Given a mid market status, it basically the only way you can go.  I used to pound Dan O'Dowd for his moves where they all seemed like salary dumps (see 2000-2005).  A couple of years ago (2006) I began to see his logic and he has made the Rocks into an NL version of the Twins.  As a kid growing up the Cardinals always focused their energies on their player development with a few deals splashed in for good measure.  I think they have sort of lost that feeling but it is never too late to get it back.  Having two large salaries can hamstring you for years to come.  Look at Houston, the Cubs, etc.  My only sadness is the three prospects that got away for the failed experiement.  A few years ago the Rockies management had a press conference where they profoundly declared that "we know what we are"  we will manage our team with that in mind.  This offseason they will deal Brad Hawpe, non-tender Garrett Atkins, let Torrealba go, resign some bullpen help and be in a better position to contend in 2010.  I am thinking the Cards need to do some of their own internal mirror obeservation.  You can no longer afford to dump prospects on short term fliers.

Well Lansford takes the fall for the Giant offense or lack thereof.  We all know this guy is good and maybe we can get him back.  I think he would be an improvement over Baylor.  He did wonders for several Rocks hitters in his time at CS.  Here is the link:

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/15/SP9A1A5UF4.DTL

 

Seems the Giants are all over the place this offseason.  If they honestly think Carney was the reason for their anemic offense then we do not have to worry about them being serious contenders next year.  They'll go after some sticks but I see arm problems on the horizon for Cain, Lincecum, etc.

I sat in behind home plate in the advance scout section for both games with an old friend.

-Need to acquire a right handed bat that is reliable next year.  Otherwise every team will be stacking lefty garbage against us.

-I think Tracy overblew the whole L/L thing way too much.  My friend and I were amazed how he left some sticks on the bench the whole series.  Basically he let the Phillies lefty situation keep some of his best players out and turned it into an A team vs a B team game.  The Rockies are hard pressed to beat the Phils straight up let alone with players benched.   He did a great job all year but when you get here you dance with the girl you came with.

-The message to Stewart, Hawpe, Smith (to a lesser extent), was I believe in Cargon but you guys stink.  I was especially intrigued by the EY2 PH in the 9th, when you had 50+ HRs on the bench.

-To play a guy like Atkins you are going to ditch and rest your future on the bench with no PA was bizarre as well.  Get him the experience.  Tracy kind of went away from things that got them there in the last 3-4 weeks.  If some guys come back, there may need to be some damage control.

-As I said in an earlier fanpost, I think the DLR injury was huge and could have ended the  season.  In retrospect it was. Phillies had no lefties to contend with. Especially Howard who is lefty horrible. The 3rd game was pivotal and we started Jason Hamel.

-Cargon has the opportunity to be a special player.  He'll need to work on his offspeed pitch approach.  But the dude can hit just about any FB throw at him in any location.

Continue reading this post »

Sadly I think the season imploded the four inning on Sat night in Dodger Stadium.  The point when De La Rosa left the game.  I fear the division was lost at that point, homefield, you name it.  I think that will likely be the defining moment of the season in retrospect.  De La Rosa injury robbed us of our best pitcher down the stretch and a key lefty to offset the Phillies in a short series.  I hope the team can rally but the hill is very steep at this point.

 

I posted this to last night's recap and with some recommendations I place it in a FP for general consumption.

They need to be more agreessive at the plate.

how many first pitch FBs down the middle taken for strike one to be followed by secondary pitches chased. Last week I went to the game with an advance scout of an NL playoff team and old friend from my playing days. He was working on the playoff dossiere.

Some notes from him after several beers and reliving the glory of places like Pompano Beach and Tulsa:

- The book on the Rockies is to get the first pitch over and then they will chase anything close thereafter.

-The majority of the Rockies hitters have been pounded into patience and taking pitches but this strategy is errant on the road away from Coors. Notice the volume of off speed seen tonite. Offspeeds at sea level they break more pronounced especially on the West Coast in the heavy air. Rockies are very vulnerable to off speed after extended homestands, especially in the first two-three games of a series.

-Pitchers will use this tendacy to slow down the offense attack. The only solution is to start expecting and connecting with 1st pitch FBs down the middle.

-Several noted chasers were identified:

Hawpe, Barmes, Stewart, Gonzalez, Ianneta, Fowler, Atkins. Hawpe he was extremely disappointed in. He thought Hawpe had figured it out this year and has now subsequently forgotten the things that worked for him. A interesting tidbit was that he felt Hawpe should hit 3rd behind the runners and get more FBs. He felt Helton could hit anywhere.

-They also mentioned that Smith should be thrown offspeed at all costs as he may be one of the best FB hitters in the game right now. No book on Helton as his zone is keen and he will not chase. GIambi was also given high praise for his approach at the plate and his ability to mesh in a new role. Yorvit should be fed all breaking stuff and is an excellent mistake FB hitter especially up above the hands.

-Another observation of note. He felt the Rocks did Fowler a disservice by bypassing AAA and felt he should have played there all year until August. Reason, not physically strong enough yet.

-The team is very bizarre in that it slumps and explodes together.

-Finally, another interesting observation that RoxGirl will love. Atkins has played the last two years completely out of shape and has cost himself millions in the process. Apparently word in MLB circles is he is lazy beyond reason. Word is his agent is putting him on a strict diet and regiment with a personal trainer after this season which could lure someone to take a flier.

Someone asked me this the other day so I thought I would share.  Now understand this is pre 1984, so times were different.  Now I apoligize if this is politically incorrect or offends the younger generation. This is from personal experience:

1.  Clearwater (FSL):  Number one and none is even close.  All the girls were pretty and looking for a future star to latch unto.  The place was near a pristine beach and provided great party atmosphere during the day when waiting to play at night.  Played many a night game after downing a couple of beach drinks. The rest of the Gulf side stunk though.

2.  Pompano Beach (FSL years ago and home park):  Pretty and rich girls.  Not in the Clearwater class.  The ballpark sucked but the female fans were great.

3.  Old Durham Park (Carolina League at the time).  Nice southern ladies at the time, great old park in Bull Durham.  You might see my bloodstains on the CF wall if you can blow it up.  Face first on long fly from Brad Komminsk. The park was always nearly full and the mystique was great.

4.  Bluefield (SAL)  Great place make sure all the teeth were accounted for though.  Some really great BBQ.

5.  Ft. Lauderdale (FSL) Enuff said.  Played an MLB spring game here and took Ron Guidry deep with Dave Winfield simply turning and watching it go.  Has to make the list.

6.  Midland (TexL):  See one above.   Texas ladies with a twang and a two step boogie.  All yearned to escape from the oil fields.

7.  Shreveport (TexL)  Great food, polite ladies and anyplace that serves gumbo in the clubhouse has to make the list.

8.  Tulsa (TexL and home park)  Other than the heat, this place was great.  You hoped that the homestands would not last too long though.  They had a sirloin snadwich in the clubhouse that ruled.  Ladies were above average.

9.  El Paso (TexL)  I used to love and be able to eat Mexican food when I was younger (now I cannot).  This place had greatr food and plenty of chicas.

10. Miami FSLL:  Yes itr was a minor league towm back in the days but the O's played there in the Spring and so did their high A club.  Cuban cigars, great rum, cuban food, and the smell of the cigars floating in the OF was great.  Ladies pretty good as well.

 

 

looking somewhat suspect now.  Three for one with two most likely headed to the minors.  Once again the Rocks trade performance for "potential".  Another in a long line of salary dumps by O'Dowd.  Granted this may be more than they get from supplemental picks but right now it looks like another Rockies dump job.  Why no starter was not obtained is beyond me.  You think a runner up MVP, Batting champ, RBI champ, and three time all star could get more.

This A-Rod implication bears some serious issues.  I saw one guy post on ESPN the other day that every baseball player he beloved of his generation (Bonds, Arod, McGwire, Clemens, Sosa, etc) has been put to the task and he questions the legitimacy of the sport.  I have a 15 year old who begs me to buy him creatine so he can bulk up and swing for the fences.  I refuse to let him citing health issues and dad never did it so you don't have to either.  Where does that mindset come from?

My concern is that an entire generation of fans have no knowledge of the game when it was pure.  They have never seen Willie Mays runs so graceful in the OF, Mickey Mantle smash a ball 500 feet on two bad legs, Hammerin Hank ignite those explosive wrists, Bob Gibson working so fast and effective.  Their baseball memories of a wonderful game are a fraud home run race, a congressional hearing, the Mitchell Report, or the latest offering from the new ladder-day prophet Jose Canseco.

There are 103 names yet to be divulged.  One wonders when suspect participants such as Todd Helton and Nomar Garciaparra, whose numbers fell off the table post -testing, may be implicated.

One can argue the Union goofed up or someone leaked grand jury information (it has happened throughout history).  At the end of the day the truth always seems to worm itself our of any forced cocoon created for it. 

Baseball leadership must be forced out (Selig, Fehr, Orza) the whole lock ,stock, and barrel.  Baseball should put itself under the guise of the World Doping Association where independence, control and accuracy is at a premium.  The Feds and Mitchell Report realize that the baseball testing plan is a sham.  They have pushed for independent testing but baseball refuses to comply.  Why is that?  What more do they have to hide?  How much more damage lurks behind the curtains?

 Legitimize the game before the game destroys itself.  The game is a great game but the people who run it stink!

 

 

1.  Added pitching depth = more wins in 2009.  Should have happened two years ago but additional arms will mean more wins, more Q starts in 2009.  Based on pitching alone I would say this team is at least .500.  There will be less bullpen strain, more innings eaten, less patchwork starts in 2009.   I see the Rockies team era in the low to mid 4s this year.  Many close one run games which brings me to...

2.  The dilemma of the offense though....  The Rockies offense will be slow, station to station and have proven to be not so run productive(see % in RISP, Sac Fly etc).  Baseball is evolving back to a run producing game.  The Rocks may have the slowest lineup in baseball.  Few bunters of any quality, limited SB potential, and issues with contact (i.e.. less hit and run ops).  How will they produce runs?  Will the better pitching offset the less run production.  Rocks have many guys with lots of swing holes.  Atkins, Hawpe, Stewart, Tulowitzski.  There best contact guys Helton/Ianetta/Smith/Spilborghs are not (save Helton) at the top of the list.  I suspect there will be many low run games they are involved in this year.  Can they manufacture runs to win?

3.  Speed evolution.  This is coming from several angles. 1.  The drop in power post roid era. 2.  A needed refocus on african american players coming into baseball. 3.  Due to the financial situation, older more expensive players are being squeezed out.   I love the speed game.  The last 15 years have been difficult to swallow with the emphasis on driving balls and big innings and lack of fundamental run manufacturing and aggressive style.  I played in the speed era and it was great and exciting.  Rockies need to get their fast and may need to elevate Young, Fowler, etc quickly to adapt.  It has been truly sad to see talented african american kids playing basketball and football over baseball the last generation.  I am excited to yearn for the day when base stealing is once again a major offensive threat.  Guys pushing 100 steals per season.  Give me the Vince Colemans, Willie Wilsons, Tim Raines's, Willie McGee's, Rickey Henderson's back.  Bring back the 2 hole guys who take pitches, hit the ball to the opposite side, can bunt the ball into a soup can etc.  Thank god for RBI program and a renewed emphasis on getting the african american kids on the baseball field.  They produced so many of the great players in history and are sorely needed back in the sport.

4.  Defense.  Another real question mark in 2009.  The outfield will have coverage issues.  We are suspect at 3B, 2B, and in the entire OF.  Quite frankly if I were the manager I would open with Fowler in CF from the start as the gaps in Coors Field will look very large with the sloths we have in the OF.  I need to see more of this Gonzales kid and will be watching the Carribean Series with interest.  If Helton plays well in 2009 the infield will be improved as he eliminates errors and makes plays other 1B don't.  I think either Gonzales or Fowler must be in the lineup though as speed is needed.

Prediction: 85-77 and a third place finish behind the Giants/Dodgers.

 

 

Weird.  It is very home laden from April-June and then become home laden in July-Sept.  Sept is virtually a home month.  Hopefully they will not be buried early and never recover.  Otherwise the schedule shapes up well for them down the stretch.

Here is the breakdown:

April:  Home = 9, Road = 11

May:  Home = 14, Road = 15

June:  Home = 9, Road = 19

July:  Home = 16 , Road = 10

August:  Home:  14 , Road = 14

September:  Home = 18, Road = 9

October:  Home = 1, Road = 3

 

General observations over the year.

1.  Offensively:

a.  OBP from leadoff.  This year has been really bad.  Lineup needs table setters with good OBP guys in 1 and 2 slots with good speed.  This year it did not happen.

b.  Too many Ks.  This lineup has struck out way too much this year.  There needs to be plate discipline and an aproach beyond swing at everything.  Too often these guys are behind in counts and having to hit pitcher counts is a recipe for failure.

c.  Too much pull hitting focus.  The Rocks have been way too focused on driving balls and pulling balls this year.  So few actually have a solid approach.  It is time to get back to basics.  Opposite field hits are hits too.

d.  Get more men on base.  More walk, more baserunners = more runs.  Run production plummeted this year.  When you have fewer chances you score fewer runs.

2.  Defense

a.  Pitching.  The bottom end of the rotation has lacked depth for several years now.  They need to focus the attantion on getting some production there via some quality arms and stop the retreads.

b.  Strikes.  Too many walks this year and too many deep counts.  Need to focus on getting ahead early next year.  Opponents offense capabilities rapidily diminish when behind in the count.

c.  Bullpen.  Need to get a couple of lefty arms down there and do more switch offs late in the game.  The Rocks used to do this regularly but went away from it this year for whatever reason. 

Overall Approach

a.  Too much love for some minor league prospects can lead to a paralyzed approach.  You build your system for two reasons.  1.  To replenish at the MLB level and 2.  To create trade bait to fill your existing gaps.  The wisdom and foresight needs to be there to evaluate properly the stars from the journeymen from the hangers on.  This needs to be made at the AA and AAA level (I myself was a casualty of this).  There are several positions of depth in the organization, corner OF, 2B, 3B, 1B and the depth must be used to fill pitching gaps.  Koshansky, Nix, Q, Smith, all these guys need to be showcased over the next two weeks to drive market value to others.

b.  An alarming recent activity. It appears that the players have tuned out management post Renck article.  Their approaches have been horrendous in the last week and it appears they have nearly quit.  They need to look long and hard at their culture and perhaps enject a hard nosed skipper into the equation.

c.  Use the recipe that works.  They Rockies have had success in past.  The keys were speed at the top, solid bullpens, productive bats in the middle and solid defense.  This needs to be the focus moving forward. Who fits there is up to management.  Don't be afraid to chase ingredients (and the prerequisite $$) at the expense of minor league prospects.

d.  Insert team first.  Too many tried to do too much and as a result everybody failed.  Team approaches need to come first.  Do not look for the homer at all times when behind, string together hits, and always focus on picking up each other.  This was lost in 2008.  It needs to be re-focused moving forward.  Hit behind runners, hit and run, take the extra base, make the play, etc.

e.  Avoid risk aversion attitudes.  Those that stay there tend to never see the ceiling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admit and will gladly feast crow.  Glad to see the team come of age down the stretch.  I have slammed Hurdle and O'Dowd for years but their formula has began to pay dividends.

My only request is no Ortiz and Julio on the postseason roster and a strong vote for Seth Smith to be on the 25 man.

Here is my take on the 25 man roster:

Pitchers:

Francis
Fogg
Morales
Jimenez
Bucholz
Herges
Hawkins
Fuentes
Corpas
Speier
Affeldt (over Morillo)

Catchers:

Ianetta
Torrelaba

Infielders:

Helton
Matsui
Tulo
Atkins
Carroll
Baker

Outfielders:

Holliday
Spillborghs
Sullivan
Hawpe
Smith
Taveras

as this year is basically running out.  

Things accomplished in 2007:

1. Stayed in race until mid Sept.
2 Added some young arms.

3. Solidified defense
   
4. Began to realize who needs to stay and who needs to go both starters and bench personnel.
   
5.  Emerged with a never quit mentality and winning attitude after years of losing is OK.

Things for future pondering:

1.  Mental toughness increase.  This team needs a Don Baylor/Paul O'Neill/Dusty Baker veteran type former champion in the clubhouse.  This could help when the 1-9 road trips start to happen or the losses to SF on the road.  The Rockies play well against good teams but this season fell out of reach losing 3-4 to the Pirates at home, failing to beat the Giants at better than a 500 clip, etc.
2.  Center Field Needs a better solution:

Willy has been injury prone, suspect defensively, and unrealible day to day.  That is a problem.  They have been able to fill the gaps with Spilly and Sullivan but I would love to see a guy like Aaron Rowland out there.  A winner, a tough guy, a great defensive player with a big stick.  He would cost $10-12M a year but he is an Edmunds type and relatively young entering his prime.

3. Look for an innings eater somewhere.

Need more innings from the starters.  Need a Pedro Astacio type to eat innings and save the bullpen.  The late season collapse of the pen is simply too many 4-5 innning nights all the time.  Need a low end guy who can give up 3-5 runs and get you to at least the sixth or seventh every night out.  They ran out of pitching seeking the internal organization solutions.  

4.  Welcome to the Monfort O'Dowd Postseason Cheap Report. (Should be the FSN annoucement after the Rockies are eliminated officially from contention).

The interesting que this post season for players that may be looking long term here will be if the Rocks spend money in some fashion. Will it be a Kaz for Stewart, Stewart for Atkins salary dump type offseason or will it be adding some payroll and quality (as described above)to make this team a championship level contender.  I have never respected the Monfort's and most media in this town do not either.  They seem to make every move on the cheap.  Will they show commitment to winning?  

The Matsui resigning is tied to Willy's future, Atkins, Helton, Stewart, all of them.  Maybe Stewart needs a season of spot starting bench work before making this decision.  His at bats lately have been pretty woeful but he has not gotten enough of them.  Not sure if he is  ready to be just handed the 3rd base job after a so so Springs defensive performance and an incumbant who has knocked in 300 runs and hit 290-310 for three years running with 25 plus homers. Helton will now never be moved so this whole Stewart, Kaz, Atkins triangle is something to look forward during the Stove league.  Can Stewart play 2nd?  

Do you trade some offense for pitching?   (Atkins or Hawpe).  Since you are fearful of losing Holliday after next year (big payday coming there), do you trade him ala Jennings to a Red Sox/Yankees for multiple players and pitching help.

5. Catching Position:  

Rocks have some serious production issues.  Iannetta although hitting better upon his return is still a question.  Yorvit wears down after 90-100 games.  Need to come up with a workable platoon next year to keep both sharp and possibly bring in someone who can play there on an emergency basis to give you some options in late innings. We have had many rallies killed by a DP from the eight spot this year.  Then the pitcher leads off the next inning.  

Overall there are not as many holes as in the past.  The big issue this off-season is will the Rocks stay put or try to take the next step.  Time will tell.  The past two years they have done very little in season to upgrade the team (other than dispose of their own garbage).  Where will they go now and from here?

Last night highlighted the never-ending saga of the Clint Hurdle tenure.  His decision to remove Francis was one for the ages.  One has to question the reasoning.  Lifting Francis after two batters and one out in the eight and allowing him to hit with two runners on in the bottom of the seventh defies explanation.  If he was going to lift him in the eight, why hit him in the seventh with a potential game breaking situation at the plate.  The potential to send up Hawpe and orchestrate a double switch was in order.  As it was it played out in the worst case scenario.

This shows in my mind an inability or gut feeling regarding certain game nuances.  I would have thought that given only 79 pitches (the number on the Coors Field pitch tracker) and a shutout he would have allowed Francis to face at least the on deck righthanded hitting Grudz.  

The next few days may see the end of the Hurdle era.  It was pretty ugly in the stands last night following the debacle.

Sure Hurdle stepped up and faced the music as he always does.  The question remains is to how long will Rockies management accept his apologies.  The man has a very losing record as a manager.  Was a bust as a player.  He has shown no inclination or flashes or brillance as a manager.

Joe Girardi looms as a strong candidate.  Given the situation in NY and the potential for an implosion there any day, how long will Rockies management wait to make a move?  Or do they have no interest in Girardi given his management struggles last year in Florida?

Girardi has proven he can produce maximum results with minimum talent.  He would seem tailor-made for the Rockies situation.

Was last night the straw that broke the camels back?  Or yet another bad decision, by a bad organization that seems to accept losing and poor performance as the rule rather than the exception.

Is this a watershed moment or just another day at the office for an organization that cannot produce results?