The signs are everywhere. Longer, warmer days. Sprouts poking up out of the formerly-frozen ground. College kids passing the afternoons playing Frisbee rather than studying for approaching exams. Yes, everyone, spring has finally sprung. And with the vernal equinox comes the most hopeful, wonderful day of the year for the baseball fan: Opening Day.
In each of the 86 years between 1918 and 2004, Boston Red Sox fans entered Opening Day with the same hope-springs-eternal optimism. "Maybe this could be the year!" they blissfully said to themselves while their Sox began their annual quest for that all-elusive World Series title. Heartbreak after heartbreak, yet still the Boston fans bubbled over with joy as April Fools Day signaled the coming of spring and the birth of the new season.
Believe it or not, Boston fans, this optimism is not a phenomenon exclusively patented by Red Sox Nation. In fact, I might even be so bold as to claim that every major league baseball fan feels that this year, this very year, could be the one that sees his or her team rise up in triumph. And this year, it's all about the Rockies.
Okay, you can stop laughing now. Seriously.
Before I elaborate on why the Rockies are going to take their game to another level this season, let me first define a Colorado fan's version of the term "triumph." Considering the Rockies have finished above .500 just four times in their 13-year history, have made the playoffs only once (as the 1995 wildcard), and managed to tally just 67 wins last season, "triumph" may not have the same meaning it does for, say, the New York Yankees.
However, since all definitions are actually relative when you really think about them (thank you, Philosophy major), I choose to define "triumph" for the 2006 Colorado Rockies as finishing above fifth place in the NL West. Fourth would be acceptable. Third, great! Second, incredible! First, a miracle, and totally impossible. At least I'm realistic.
And I know the Rockies will ascend the basement steps of the NL Worst this year for two reasons. First, their youth-infused roster hints at potential greatness and second, Mother Nature sent an omen to this fan on Monday afternoon.
I'll start with the omen because it's obviously the more trustworthy of my two explanations. Walking back from Davis on Monday, I was merrily making my way up College Ave. trying to think up a column topic. Between one of the dentist's office (there are probably 30 on that street, I'm not sure which one it was) and the podiatrist, I glimpsed a flash of purple.
I did a double take as the sight of color on the drab brown ground caught me off guard. And there it was: a radiant royal purple crocus. But not just any crocus, a crocus with white in the center in the shape of a perfect C.
As I stopped to examine the omen that meant my team would finish out of last place this season, I wanted to do a little Irish jig. Then I realized that St. Patrick's Day was last week and decided instead to write this column. I rushed home to check out the latest Rockies Spring Training news and verified the omen's message.
Colorado will take the field on Opening Day with a team of largely unknown, yet surprisingly competent players. The only big name on the team, veteran first baseman Todd Helton, has proven himself with a .337 career batting average, consistent 100 RBI seasons and plenty of power at the plate. Though Helton slumped at the beginning of 2005, he picked it up at the end of the season to bat .320 with 163 hits and 20 dingers.
The rest of the Rockies' lineup is about as old as some of the seniors playing on the Brigham Young University football team. Five of the eight probable starters are 26, and two are 27, giving the Rockies the youngest lineup in the Majors.
The outfield will likely consist of Matt Holliday in left, Cory Sullivan in center, and Brad Hawpe in right. Holliday posted 64 RBIs after the All-Star break last year (second only to Philadelphia's Chase Utley in the NL) while Hawpe seemed headed for a breakout rookie season, batting .295 with eight homers before a season-ruining hamstring injury. Both should be back at full strength this year and will compliment the speedy Sullivan defensively in the spacious Coors Field outfield.
Third baseman Garrett Atkins racked up 89 RBI in 2005, with 29 of those coming in September alone. With 13 homers and a .287 batting average despite an injury early last season, Atkins will be an offensive force this year.
Arguably the most anticipated return for the Rockies will be that of shortstop Clint Barmes. Barmes stormed out of the gates last year, batting .289 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in his first two months. He was in contention for Rookie of the Year honors before sustaining a mysterious collarbone injury at Todd Helton's house (deer meat was allegedly involved) that landed him on the DL from Jun. 6 until Sept. 1. If Barmes can pick up where he left off before his injury, he could be one of the most productive shortstops in the NL.
On the mound, Colorado will feature the homegrown Jason Jennings, Aaron Cook, southpaw Jeff Francis, Byung-Hyun Kim and probably spring training standout Josh Fogg.
Though pitching is always shaky for the Rockies, they can at least plan to rely on closer Brian Fuentes to seal the deal if the offense can generate a lead going into the late innings. Fuentes saved 31 of his 34 attempts last year with a 2.91 ERA. The newly acquired Ray King and Jose Mesa will serve as set-up men for their dependable closer.
The Rockies showed signs of life at the end of last season despite their dismal start. Their 30-28 post-Aug. 1 record was second in the NL West only to the eventual division champion San Diego Padres. The Pads were the only team in the division to finish over .500, a stat that also gives the Rockies hope this year.
With the relatively feeble NL West competition, there's no telling how high the Rockies will climb in the 2006 standings. If it all comes together, spring's optimism could turn into summer's excitement. And if it doesn't work out, I'm blaming the crocus.
