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Colorado Rockies:
Trying to swing their way into the World
Series
The Colorado Rockies haven’t been a prototypical
expansion team since joining the majors in 1993. They’ve
always made the NL West a competitive division with a franchise
winning percentage of .474. In 1995, the Rockies made the playoffs
for their first and only time, and lost in the NLDS to the eventual
world champion Atlanta Braves. Last season, the Rockies finished
at a respectable 74-88 but they finished fourth in the division
and 26.5 games out of first place. This year they look to bounce
back from a disappointing season and challenge for an NL West
crown.
During the off-season the Rockies made a few moves
that they hope will make them a better team. The
Rockies let go of a few key players like pitcher Scott Elarton,
and outfielder Jay Payton, neither were tendered a contract
at the end of the season. To make up for losing Payton’s bat management went
out and got slugging third baseman Vinny Castilla. The team also
brought in shortstop Royce Clayton who will fill the void that
was left after Juan Uribe was traded to the White Sox for Aaron
Miles. They traded for Tampa Bay Devil Ray left handed pitcher
Joe Kennedy and sent Mark Hendrickson to the Rays.
As has been since the first season, the Rockies strengths
are in their bats. Last season they finished sixth
in the majors and second in the NL in home runs. This year doesn’t look
to be any different with the lineup they’re unleashing
on the majors. At the one and two spots are second baseman Luis
A. Gonzalez and Clayton. In the heart of the line up is all star
first baseman Todd Helton, Castilla and Jeromy Burnitz who is
keeping center field warm for Preston Wilson who went to the
disabled list after 6 games. Finishing out the order are left
fielder Matt Holiday, catcher Charles Johnson and right fielder
Brad Hawpe. All-star Larry Walker started the season on the DL.
The Rockies have done everything from paying ridiculous
amounts of money to free agent pitchers to keeping
the balls in a special humidor to keep the opposing
team from hitting home runs, but all attempts have been unsuccessful
to say the least. Last season the team had the worst ERA in
the NL at 5.20. Despite this number they are very optimistic
about their way their pitching staff is shaping up. The starters
consist of Shawn Estes, Joe Kennedy, Jason Jennings, and Elarton.
In the pen Shawn Chacon is the guy trying to put an end to
the madness in the ninth.
Coors Field is one of the few stadiums in the majors
that has an amazing effect on the game. Due to the
high altitude of this open air stadium the ball is
launched off the bat into the stands prompting some
to give it the nickname of “Coors
Canaveral.” With the purchase of a ticket it not only permits
one to catch a baseball game but it also gives an amazing view
of the Rocky Mountains.
Are you a Colorado Rockies Fanatic? Check out ColoradoRockiesFanatics.com!
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