As an original native of Denver, where I was born, I have been especially impressed and stunned by the Rockies’ surge to the World Series. When the Rockies began as an expansion team, I took some interest in them as the nearest baseball franchise to Albuquerque and as a team representing my birthplace, but they were never going to displace my attachment to Houston. Their bumbling (mis)management over the last decade made it painful to think about the franchise, and O’Dowd seemed dedicated to ensuring perpetual mediocrity. No longer.
Even so, it was a great shock to see the Rockies capture the wild card in an end-of-season sprint, and sweep through the first two rounds in record time. They wiped out their playoff competition so quickly that they have had a week to recover while the Indians and Red Sox bludgeon each other in a complete seven-game series.
On the other side, I do hope that the Indians finally prevail in the AL, because the only thing as obnoxious as a satisfied Yankee fan is a proud Red Sox fan. Also, as Tom Piatak has explained, the Indians represent the forces of good fighting against those of evil.
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October 22nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
haddox
I grew up in Denver, though a bit older than you, and I am sharing some of the bandwagon excitement about the Rockies along with my friends/relatives back there.
I do have fond memories of some of the terrific minor league Denver Bears teams (Tim Raines etc. from about 1980) . . .However, for me, the name the Rockies will always belong to a beloved but moribund hockey team that left for NJ in the early 1980s . . . “Your New Jersey Devils” as sportscaster Ron Zappolo would always say. Famous for popularizing Gary Glitter and very ugly uniforms.
Red Sox will be a tall order, but go Rockies!!
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Daniel Larison
My first memories of Denver baseball were from a Zephyrs’ game at the old Mile High. What unbelievably ugly hats they had! Green and blue, as I recall. It was great. I’ve heard stories about “Rocky Hockey,” which I understand was pretty rocky indeed.
I look forward to seeing Matsuzaka et al. try to use sliders at Coors Field. The altitude is going to bother them a bit, I think.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:21 pm
haddox
yep, I remember being very angry as a kid when the Bears changed their name. By high school, though, Barry Larkin had helped me get over that (eternal bittersweet curse of the minor league fan = the call up).
I do think you’re right about the altitude. People assume it’s always a plus w/the offense but it can mess with pitching big-time. Outside of facing Beckett first and the huge layoff, I like the underdog factor here - the pressure is all on the Sox.
It'’d sure be nice to see their fans (especially the one out of central casting that I work with) shut up at least temporarily - until the Pats go all the way.