Olx Praca sportswriter Patrick Saunders with the latest edition of his mailbox in the Rocky Mountains.
Ask a question related to the Rockies or MLB to the Rockies mailbox.
Patrick, could you run a course that educates people on proper baseball etiquette and how to be a “baseball fan” not a “visiting Coors Field fan”?
I almost blew a pad on Opening Day when a beach ball bounced in the very first inning and people booed and yelled at the attendants trying to grab it.
In the next inning, at a very important moment for Kyle Freeland, an attempt to start a wave began in the left stands. Luckily, it didn’t go too far. Finally, what’s wrong with people standing and chatting in the aisles while the action is happening on the field? We’ve had baseball for 30 years and people still don’t understand it. Thanks for letting me speak!
— Bill Gibson, Littleton
Bill, consider yourself exhausted.
I used to get frustrated when the fans made a wave at the decisive moments of the game. It used to annoy me that the fans didn’t pay attention to the game.
I stopped worrying about it when I realized that a lot of the fans who go to games in the Rocky Mountains don’t really care that much about the game itself. For them, it’s food, beer, Dippin’ Dots, sunshine and parties. This is especially true on opening day. Besides, I have the luxury of sitting in the press box, so who am I to complain about the fans?
Also, given current ticket prices, perks, and parking at sporting events, I’m not going to criticize fans for their behavior – unless they’re offensive or violent. you can ask Yankee fans about this kind of behavior.
I agree with you that fans need to feel much better about not standing on the islands blocking other fans’ views. This is either rudeness, or ignorance, or both.
Finally, let me end my tirade with a couple of points. Firstly, the Rockies are playing very well and I would have preferred to have a lot of casual fans in the stadium rather than an almost empty stadium, even if the fans often support the other team. Secondly, if the Rockies remain competitive this season, I’m sure fans will be more into games than beach balls as the summer progresses.
During the series at the Tigers, manager Bud Black eliminated starting pitchers Austin Gomber and Chad Kool, although they threw in just over 80 innings as the Rockies were winning. Was it Bud’s decision or the decision of (top) management?
— Judy Freeman, Denver
Judy, this is Black’s decision, with the help of pitching coach Darryl Scott, as well as the starting pitchers. Because it’s still relatively early in the season, and because of shortened spring training, both pitchers played less than usual.
There are a number of reasons why Black gives his opening hook. Blacks keep a close eye on speed, command, history of the pitcher and future hitters, power on the ball, etc. It’s a long list.
What happens to Brendan Rodgers at the plate? He doesn’t seem to be able to buy his way back to the base.
— Mark, Arvada
Mark, as I write this, Rodgers is hitting .083 (4 of 48) with one double, one RBI and a .271 percentage on base.
Olx Praca columnist Sean Keeler wrote a terrific op-ed about Rogers last week in which Rogers said, “I obviously wasn’t going to be in that slow start. But I still feel confident. I have good shots, I just miss passes, I miss my serve, which I usually don’t miss. This is part of the game. We’ll have to keep grinding.”
After talking to some people about Rogers’ slump, here’s what I think:
• The pressure is putting a heavy burden on Rodgers’ shoulders, and it’s been that way ever since he was the third overall pick in the 2015 draft.
• The Rockies made the mistake of winning Rodgers in third early in the season after an impressive spring practice. It only increased the pressure.
• Because he misses the passes he should be hitting, he now grips the bat too tightly and swings at the wrong time for serves.
• The slump has left him vulnerable to breaking balls outside the strike zone and he wobbles over the ball, missing passes by several inches. It became a vicious circle. Enemy jars are like sharks, they can smell the blood in the water.
• Rogers has a simple, compact and efficient swing. Nolan Arenado once told me that he thought Rodgers’ shot was one of the best he had ever seen from a young player. So I believe Rogers will bounce back, but it might take a trip to Triple-A to get him set up.
Hey Patrick, how’s Scott Oberg doing? Is there any chance that he will return to the team this year? Or ever?
— Marshall, Parker
Marshall, Oberg remains on the team and works as a relief pitcher’s advisor. Officially, the former closer is still on the 40-man list, although he is on the 60-day injured list. The right-hander is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sports management from Georgetown. He completes the program online.
Oberg has not officially announced his retirement from baseball, but it’s doubtful he’ll ever hit the field again after developing blood clots in his throwing arm.
The Rockies have been all-in in their opening rotation, making deals for Kyle Freeland, Herman Marquez and Antonio Senzatel over the past few years. Do you think that any of the other two starting players – Austin Gomber and Chad Kuhl – could get a long-term contract? Or we can see what’s going on in the ranks – like Ryan Ralison and Ryan Feltner – before a decision is made. Thank you!
— Tim, Seattle
Tim, I doubt Gomber or Kuhl will sign a long-term deal, at least not in the near future. Gomber is scheduled to become a free agent only after the 2025 season, so at this point there is no reason to renew his contract.
Cool has been amazing so far, but it’s a small sample size (2-0, 1.10 ERA in three starts) and he’s offering a one-year, $3 million contract. If he continues to pitch well, maybe the Rockies will try to renew his contract after this season, but I doubt it.
Patrick, for years I’ve seen baseball players on the field—usually pitchers and outfielders—pull a card out of their pocket or look out from under their cap. I have never heard or read about these cards. I would like to see some, see what scouting/positional information is being provided. Is this “top secret”/not for public disclosure, or will the team share a few sample cards the pitchers/outfielders used?
There is so much talk about strategy, shifts, fielding and placement, but there is not even a passing commentary on this practice.
What light can you shed on this question, Patrick?
— Tommy, Greeley
Tommy, actually quite a lot was written about these information cards when they started to be widely used about five years ago.
Outfielders usually keep a positioning card in their back pocket. Outfielders have a separate card for each of their pitchers (left and right) that tells the outfielder where to line up as each opposing hitter approaches the plate. The Rockies don’t release these cards, but I can tell you they look a lot like regular index cards.
The information printed on the card works like this: for a particular attacker, the indication on the card may look like “L-17”, which means moving 17 steps to the left of the normal position. For another attacker, it might be “R-8/+2”. In this case, the outfielder will move to the right eight steps and two steps.
In the past, the coach would wave to the outfielder to take a few steps forward, backward, left, or right, but now all the information is presented on a card. I believe Tampa Bay was the first team to start using maps about 10 years ago.