Rockies embrace rare role as NL power

[Rockiesfan_H]

Rockies embrace rare role as NL power

By Troy E. Renck
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/14/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 02/14/2010 08:39:20 AM MST

Rockies embrace rare role as NL power - The Denver Post

Extras

• Watch Rockies players discuss the upcoming season.
• Watch Denver Post Rockies beat writers Troy Renck and Jim Armstrong discuss the Rockies' biggest issues going in to spring training.

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There was nirvana in the snapshots. Manager Jim Tracy clutching his chest after Ryan Spilborghs' walkoff grand slam on Aug. 24. Rafael Betancourt pumping his fist after retiring the last Giant on Sept. 16. Todd Helton holding his newborn daughter in a champagne-soaked clubhouse after the Rockies clinched a playoff berth on Oct. 1.
Winning is the purest high in sports. Now the Rockies want a more powerful dose, a first National League West championship and a first World Series title.
"It's no longer about making the playoffs in Colorado," closer Huston Street said. "It's more than that. And I believe this is the group that's going to change that mind-set."
All they have to do is handle expectations, something that has never come easy with a franchise that historically has treated expectations like plutonium. Every time big things are expected, they've had a tendency to fall back.
"If we play like we should, we will be really good. But everybody is going to be gunning for us," first baseman Helton said. "That's going to be totally different for us."
The days leading up to the final spring training at Hi Corbett Field — pitchers and catchers report Thursday — have possessed a different feel this year. The Rockies have embraced their role as a favorite in the National League West, a crown that eluded them by three games last season.
"Why do I like our chances? Because it's all about winning with the men in our locker room. They aren't worried about money or any of the extra things," shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "We are in it for the right reasons, to accomplish something we haven't done before."
Hype has never been kind to the Rockies. The highly touted 2001 team, bolstered by the additions of free- agent pitchers Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton, was reduced to ashes as part of a midseason fire sale. In 2008, following a magical World Series berth the previous fall, the Rockies were labeled a fluke after playing themselves out of contention by June 1.
That experience will be invaluable this year, according to general manager Dan O'Dowd.
"What we all learned from 2008 is that success doesn't breed success. We have to realize from Day One that we have to focus on fundamentals and the execution of the game," O'Dowd said. "The next step is playing good for an entire season, being more consistent."
Stability in leadership, players believe, should help. Tracy signed a three-year, $4.4 million contract extension after the season. Under his guidance, the Rockies went 74-42 before falling to the Phillies in the National League division series. Tracy basically ran spring training last year, so the Rockies know there will be a rigorous attention to detail.
"Our manager gives us an advantage. He gives players the confidence we need to play and succeed," outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "I think that's going to be the difference this year."

Unlike the 2008 team, these Rockies aren't searching for an identity, like some beauty queen who has surrendered her tiara. They know they are talented, and have two playoff berths in three years as proof.
The lineup will likely be a carbon copy of last year's — with the exception of catcher, where Chris Iannetta or Miguel Olivo will take over for Yorvit Torrealba. Tracy believes some key players can be more consistent than a year ago, namely Ian Stewart, Clint Barmes and Iannetta. All endured long slumps defined by a bushelful of strikeouts. If those three smooth out their issues at the plate, it will go a long way toward solving the Rockies' issues against left-handers (27-26 overall, 8-16 on the road).
"The Phillies sent us a message in the playoffs. We were a little disjointed at times against left-handers, but we can improve," Tracy said. "That's the message overall, that we left stuff out there to finish from both an individual standpoint and as a team."
Though the lineup is a favorite topic in chat rooms, Tracy's team is built to win because of pitching and defense. The rotation returns four members — Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel — who won at least 10 games last season. The only new face is an old one, with former staff ace Jeff Francis filling all-star Jason Marquis' spot.
"It's hard to feel part of the success when you aren't contributing on the field," said Francis, who last pitched in the big leagues on Sept. 12, 2008. "I am ready to get back out there and help."
With the signing of Street to a three-year deal and the return of Betancourt, the Rockies' bullpen is well-defined. It could be the deeper than ever if Manuel Corpas and Taylor Buchholz rebound from injuries.
There are no craters in the lineup. No chilling health questions. No reasons, the Rockies believe, not to meet the highest expectations in the franchise's 18-year history.
"You can't shy away from expectations. I think we have a pretty (darn) good team," Tracy said. "I am not saying someone else can't win the division, and I am not providing bulletin board fodder. But I want to see what happens if we play at high intensity from the first pitch to the last. How good can we be?"

Colorado Rockies

• Watch video of Rockies OF Dexter Fowler talking about '10 season.
• Watch video of Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis discussing comeback.
• Watch video of Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez commenting on goals.
• Watch video of Rockies closer Huston Street talking expectations.
• View slide show of Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki during offseason training.
• View more photos of Rockies.
• Find analysis and notes on the All Things Rockies blog.
• Ask Troy E. Renck about the team or MLB in the Rockies Mailbag.
• Post photos of your team spirit.

Read more: Rockies embrace rare role as NL power - The Denver Post

[Rockiesfan_H]

Pitchers and catchers report Thursday! Can't wait.

[realmofotalk]

It must be a Denver thing to have mancrushes on your manager/coach. Just so you know, even imbeciles like Bob Brenly and Dusty Baker have won in this division.

Ryan Howard facing anyone right-handed with the game on the line is absurd.

Of course, Jim Tracy thinks it's the player's fault. Way to go, Manager of the Year.

QFT

[redsrbetter]

Anyone think the Rockies have a chance to contend again this year? They have been putting together some crazy seasons of late and have been a pleasant surprise for many. But can they really contend with the Dodgers year after year?

There is a lot of good pitching in this division. I wonder if these Rockies are getting better as they face this tough pitching night after night.