Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
Mood:
anticipatory
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CooRs Field Nugget FouR - stRetch Run
Rockies are currently leading the NL wild card standings. After a truly dismal start to the season, the owners released Clint Hurdle from his manager's role in late May, and replaced him with bench coach Jim Tracy. Somehow that move ignited an awakening of sorts. Most observers had been puzzled by the early weeks of the season, especially after a respectable spring training. None of us could understand how the team as a whole could be playing so poorly.
But here we are going into the second week of September, 18 games over 500, and keeping pressure on the first place Dodgers.
The September roster expansion brought Eric Young, Jr up from AAA. Most long term Rockies fans remember his dad with affection. As the leadoff man, EY opened the first home game of the Rockies inaugural season back in 1993 with a solo home run. His enthusiastic smile and persona, along with a lively base running style and high on base percentage made him a crowd favorite for all of his years here, and to have his son and namesake come up through the Rockies farm system seems like a given.
Carlos Gonzales was a top draft pick for the Rangers, and then dealt to Oakland to sweeten the deal in a trade. At the close of last season, one more time Cargo (his new nickname here in Denver) was part of a deal, this one sending Matt Holliday to Oakland. Under Tracy's management style, he was promised a regular opportunity to play. No longer being regarded as a potential pawn in a move to acquire a bigger name. Well, all righty then. His fielding AND his bat are becoming items to watch for. His odd ball, almost Mohawk, haircut; his wide smile; and his obvious pleasure in being part of a team on the hunt are now familiar pluses in the dugout.
We also have Jason Giambi and Ruben Contreras. Neither acquisition was greeted with widespread pleasure. BUT. Giambi has been almost a DH, coming up to pinch hit in later innings and more than once providing a vital hit. And Contreras first start as a Rocky went well into the later innings, and he got a standing ovation when he left the mound. So maybe I need to read a page from my own book, and give owners Dick and Charlie Monfort credit for knowing what they're doing.
And Franklin Morales! With closer Huston Street injured, Morales has brought a wicked fastball to the mound in late innings. At one point a year or two ago, Morales was part of the starting rotation. After an injury and some rehab, he has been very good indeed as a closer.
It's kind of like 2007 all over again. Names we never suspected might be important are now in the sports pages on a daily basis. Rather than wondering like Butch Cassidy "who ARE these guys?" I think I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride.
And, as I fall asleep at night, continue to hope for a vague sense of unease in Dodger land.
ps - Rockies' ticket office never misses a chance to capitalize an "R" these days. Not wishing to jinx anything, I've done the same in the title of the entry.
:-)
But here we are going into the second week of September, 18 games over 500, and keeping pressure on the first place Dodgers.
The September roster expansion brought Eric Young, Jr up from AAA. Most long term Rockies fans remember his dad with affection. As the leadoff man, EY opened the first home game of the Rockies inaugural season back in 1993 with a solo home run. His enthusiastic smile and persona, along with a lively base running style and high on base percentage made him a crowd favorite for all of his years here, and to have his son and namesake come up through the Rockies farm system seems like a given.
Carlos Gonzales was a top draft pick for the Rangers, and then dealt to Oakland to sweeten the deal in a trade. At the close of last season, one more time Cargo (his new nickname here in Denver) was part of a deal, this one sending Matt Holliday to Oakland. Under Tracy's management style, he was promised a regular opportunity to play. No longer being regarded as a potential pawn in a move to acquire a bigger name. Well, all righty then. His fielding AND his bat are becoming items to watch for. His odd ball, almost Mohawk, haircut; his wide smile; and his obvious pleasure in being part of a team on the hunt are now familiar pluses in the dugout.
We also have Jason Giambi and Ruben Contreras. Neither acquisition was greeted with widespread pleasure. BUT. Giambi has been almost a DH, coming up to pinch hit in later innings and more than once providing a vital hit. And Contreras first start as a Rocky went well into the later innings, and he got a standing ovation when he left the mound. So maybe I need to read a page from my own book, and give owners Dick and Charlie Monfort credit for knowing what they're doing.
And Franklin Morales! With closer Huston Street injured, Morales has brought a wicked fastball to the mound in late innings. At one point a year or two ago, Morales was part of the starting rotation. After an injury and some rehab, he has been very good indeed as a closer.
It's kind of like 2007 all over again. Names we never suspected might be important are now in the sports pages on a daily basis. Rather than wondering like Butch Cassidy "who ARE these guys?" I think I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride.
And, as I fall asleep at night, continue to hope for a vague sense of unease in Dodger land.
ps - Rockies' ticket office never misses a chance to capitalize an "R" these days. Not wishing to jinx anything, I've done the same in the title of the entry.
:-)
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