I've received a couple of inquiries about why I haven't said anything since Monday evening when the Rockies completed a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks to become NL champs for the first time in their 15 year history.

Frankly, I've had a little difficulty summing up what I want to say. In one respect, this outcome of the 2007 season has been so unexpected, and yet somehow I've felt it was possible ever since February when I began to follow reports from spring training in the local press.

It's too bad I didn't record my impressions back then, but I think even I would have shrugged off my own comments as coming from someone who had located a long lost pair of rose colored glasses.

And of course, at one point this season the Rockies were 18-27. I can recall more than once commenting to Mr Woodstock that I was very disappointed, I really thought they had the potential to be much much better as they came out of spring training. The five man starting rotation now holds only two names from the guys who began the season, and a couple of the names on the pitching staff are on the uniforms of guys even I had never heard of on the first of July. Yet the team maintained stability, with a bullpen that rose to challenge after challenge and a solid core of infielders and outfielders who took turns in the spotlight, first one, then another.

It's a marvelous feeling. No matter what happens in the World Series, the Rockies made it, and they deserve to be there. Fielding statistics and team ERA are very impressive. In the early years of the team, we had a reputation for being nothing but offense. Watching the "Blake Street Bombers" was lots of fun, and I enjoyed many games back then.

This feels more real. This feels right.

But I do think the National League trophy looks like something from a creepy mystery story, taken down from a shelf overrun with cobwebs, and hiding the clue to a bizarre crime.

I know, I know, I DO read too many mysteries.