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02-16-2005, 06:13 PM
Todd and the Toddlers set to report to spring training
Wednesday February 16, 2005
By JOHN MARSHALL
AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) Todd and the Toddlers kick off their spring tour on Thursday. Whether they'll be a hit or a flop won't be known for a while.
By surrounding All-Star first baseman Todd Helton with a bunch of youngsters, the Colorado Rockies have rebuilt their roster with an eye to the future. An overhaul will likely mean yet another dismal season at Coors Field, but the Rockies see it as the only way to get better.
``We're going to present opportunities to a lot of young players,'' Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. ``Some will take advantage, some won't, but the ones right behind them we feel will, so it's going to be an interesting few years for the Rockies.''
Of course, revamping the roster is nothing new in Colorado.
Since the glory days of the Blake Street Bombers in the mid-1990s, the Rockies have seemingly reshuffled the deck every year in an effort to find the right combination. None of it worked and now Colorado is throwing the cards in the air and picking up what's left.
That means when Colorado's pitchers and catchers report to Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday, the getting-to-know-you curve will be much sharper than in other camps.
``The day of the Blake Street Bombers is over and we've got to get those young guys out there,'' Rockies owner Charlie Monfort said. ``You've got to do it at some point in time. You've got to start before you finish.''
While the rotation will be a strength with the likes of veterans Jason Jennings, Joe Kennedy and Shawn Chacon, the rest of the roster is filled with inexperience.
Gone are veterans Larry Walker, Royce Clayton and Jeromy Burnitz, leaving the Rockies with two projected starters with more than two years in the big leagues Helton and center fielder Preston Wilson. Of the young bunch, only outfielder Matt Holliday, second baseman Aaron Miles and utility player Luis Gonzalez have played a full season in the majors.
That leaves Colorado with a lineup that will be the youngest in the league at an average of about 26 years old. Of course, players like catcher J.D. Closser, third baseman Garret Atkins and shortstop Clint Barmes could have an impact right away, but the odds are slim that everyone will be successful at the same time.
``Not all the rookies come up and knock them dead, but you will have a couple,'' Monfort said. ``We think these guys are ready and we think we need to learn a lot about them this year.''
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Wednesday February 16, 2005
By JOHN MARSHALL
AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) Todd and the Toddlers kick off their spring tour on Thursday. Whether they'll be a hit or a flop won't be known for a while.
By surrounding All-Star first baseman Todd Helton with a bunch of youngsters, the Colorado Rockies have rebuilt their roster with an eye to the future. An overhaul will likely mean yet another dismal season at Coors Field, but the Rockies see it as the only way to get better.
``We're going to present opportunities to a lot of young players,'' Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. ``Some will take advantage, some won't, but the ones right behind them we feel will, so it's going to be an interesting few years for the Rockies.''
Of course, revamping the roster is nothing new in Colorado.
Since the glory days of the Blake Street Bombers in the mid-1990s, the Rockies have seemingly reshuffled the deck every year in an effort to find the right combination. None of it worked and now Colorado is throwing the cards in the air and picking up what's left.
That means when Colorado's pitchers and catchers report to Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday, the getting-to-know-you curve will be much sharper than in other camps.
``The day of the Blake Street Bombers is over and we've got to get those young guys out there,'' Rockies owner Charlie Monfort said. ``You've got to do it at some point in time. You've got to start before you finish.''
While the rotation will be a strength with the likes of veterans Jason Jennings, Joe Kennedy and Shawn Chacon, the rest of the roster is filled with inexperience.
Gone are veterans Larry Walker, Royce Clayton and Jeromy Burnitz, leaving the Rockies with two projected starters with more than two years in the big leagues Helton and center fielder Preston Wilson. Of the young bunch, only outfielder Matt Holliday, second baseman Aaron Miles and utility player Luis Gonzalez have played a full season in the majors.
That leaves Colorado with a lineup that will be the youngest in the league at an average of about 26 years old. Of course, players like catcher J.D. Closser, third baseman Garret Atkins and shortstop Clint Barmes could have an impact right away, but the odds are slim that everyone will be successful at the same time.
``Not all the rookies come up and knock them dead, but you will have a couple,'' Monfort said. ``We think these guys are ready and we think we need to learn a lot about them this year.''
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)