This scene at the mound has happened all too often this year
Miami, FL – Let’s cut to the chase. The Colorado Rockies are 15-26, last in the NL West, and on pace to lose 100 games. The hitting has been decent, although inconsistent, but the pitching has been a total dumpster fire. So it got me thinking….when was the worst season in team history and how does this team’s pitching compare to that one? The answer to the first part of that question is 1993, the inaugural season at old Mile High Stadium. The team went 67-95, which was certainly expected because the team was comprised of rejects that other teams didn’t want. Technically speaking, when Colorado and Florida were added to MLB, there was an expansion draft where every team in baseball had to make a few of their players “available” for the Rockies and Marlins to draft to fill their rosters. The ’93 Rockies pitching staff was led by guys like David Nied, Armando Reynoso, and Steve Reed. It’s now 19 years later, and the pitching is basically just as poor as the one from that expansion team.
The 1993 squad had a team ERA of 5.41. So far this year, the Rockies team ERA is 5.14. The ’93 team gave up 1664 hits, and the team this year is on pace to give up 1640 hits. The ’93 team gave up 181 HR’s, and this year they are on pace to give up 184 HR’s. The ’93 team had 35 Saves, and this year they are on pace to have 32 Saves. The ’93 team gave up 609 Walks, and this year they are on pace to give up 620 Walks. That ’93 team had a whopping 0 shutouts, and voila, this team is on that same pace. Enough stats for ya? It’s enough for me, as it is shocking to see that we essentially have an expansion quality pitching staff here in Colorado.
So who is to blame for this pathetic display? I point to two people, GM Dan O’Dowd and pitching coach Bob Apodaca. O’Dowd has been here for 12 full seasons, with just 4 of those ending up with winning records. At some point, this lack of winning has to fall on his shoulders. He has made a few good moves over the years, but far too many that have not worked out. Apodaca is in his tenth year here, and what has he really done? I understand that it is tough to pitch at Coors Field, but this team and this pitching staff have taken a big step backwards. One or both of them may have to go at some point this year, because simply put, the numbers just don’t lie.
Denver Sports by J Simp
6 comments
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J Simp
June 1, 2012 at 8:18 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Um no…..the Blake Street Bombers mentality got us nowhere….fun baseball, but not consistently winning baseball.
Kris Loco
June 1, 2012 at 9:12 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have to agree on the Moyer point – it was a good story but hurt the team.
Good to see the Blake Street Bombers mentality back – let’s just try to outscore the other team and see what happens. Maybe they should turn off the humidor and just let em rip!
J Simp
June 1, 2012 at 9:02 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
tystick!…..wow, good to see ya here buddy……nice comments on the Rox and hope to hear more from ya as I know you have plenty of thoughts on Denver sports!
tystick
May 31, 2012 at 10:09 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Glad to see the Moyer experiment is over. I applaud the career and accomplishment of an athlete that can compete at the highest level, and on the grandest stage so late in life, but not at the expense of the rest of the team’s best interest.
Just watched the final of the 4 game sweep of the Astros and the hitting was promising, even exciting, but to your point the pitching was just barely enough to keep them from giving up 4 and 5 run leads.
J Simp
May 23, 2012 at 12:11 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It’s amazing, it’s still May but they….are…….done! If anyone thinks the pitching will magically get better as the season goes on is a fool. The leaders are not leading either…..what a dreadful year this already is.
Manderson
May 23, 2012 at 9:31 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’ve been hoping Tracy won’t take the fall for these turds this year. He is a great manager who’s been handed a pile of crap to work with. Apodaca should strongly consider stepping down if he doesn’t get fired. Nicasio, Moyer, and De La Rosa could have decent second halves,but I don’t think it’s in the cards for us this year. Maybe when Tulo and Todd come back from vacation we will see some more decent hitting.