Last night, long-time Colorado Rockies player Todd Helton played in the final home game of his career. With his number 17 mowed into the outfield grass and painted on the sides of the fields, he was honored by his team and fans. Before the game started, he had the honor of catching the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter. Helton was also presented with a horse in a purple saddled with his number on it. Giving gifts to rich guys sure has been gratuitous the last two years in baseball. Sure, he's not the most famous player, but he'd be even more so if he played for, say, Boston. He's one of those baseball players that loves the game for what it is, a rare breed these days. He had a homer and got a double in that game, in which the Red Sox, their 2007 World Series opponents, won 15-5. Colorado's squad isn't the best in the majors, they don't look like they'll have a winning season, and their pitching just couldn't get Boston out, which resulted in a not-so-memorable final game, but the fans really appreciated what he did that game. 35,000 people ended up with a bobbly plastic rendition of their favorite player as they entered to witness the curtain call of #17. Colorado's postseason contention was terminated a while back in the season, and in their 20 year history they have had few winning seasons, but one of the beauties of baseball is that it keeps going even though there's nothing more to accomplish. Heck, the Astros put up a real fight in Cleveland a few days ago. The NL West has not been friendly to Colorado, this year L.A. fought their way back up from the bottom as we know, but the Rockies weren't really contenders anyway, but Helton has seen them through from their fourth season on. He still has a few games left to play, so Colorado fans in those areas can see him one more time, and I bet he'll get everything he can get out of them.
Now onto some postseason talk, all divisions except for the NL Central have been clinched. Boston's own Red Sox, who placed last in their division in 2012, have a record that is almost opposite of last year atop the division that is probably the toughest in baseball. They only need to win one or two more games to clinch the best record. Detroit, last year's AL champs, have taken over the Central, which hasn't been a tough race in a while. Oakland, in a race with Boston for best record, has taken their division, the AL West. The race for the two Wild Cards is exciting, Tampa Bay with the first and Cleveland has the second. Texas is only one game back from reclaiming the second WC, but we'll see if Cleveland can stay hot and hold on to it.
On the National League side of things, Atlanta has coasted to the division title in the East, where it was the only winning team there at a few times during the season. As we all know, the Dodgers have rowdily clinched the West. Now, the NL Central is still open, and so are the two Wild Card spots, reserved for teams from that division. The Cardinals could clinch that division with a win, but the Pirates are only one game back, but still have the first Wild Card. Cincinnati has clinched a Wild Card, which will likely be the second. Last night, long-time Colorado Rockies player Todd Helton played in the final home game of his career. With his number 17 mowed into the outfield grass and painted on the sides of the fields, he was honored by his team and fans. Before the game started, he had the honor of catching the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter. Helton was also presented with a horse in a purple saddled with his number on it. Giving gifts to rich guys sure has been gratuitous the last two years in baseball. Sure, he's not the most famous player, but he'd be even more so if he played for, say, Boston. He's one of those baseball players that loves the game for what it is, a rare breed these days. He had a homer and got a double in that game, in which the Red Sox, their 2007 World Series opponents, won 15-5. Colorado's squad isn't the best in the majors, they don't look like they'll have a winning season, and their pitching just couldn't get Boston out, which resulted in a not-so-memorable final game, but the fans really appreciated what he did that game. 35,000 people ended up with a bobbly plastic rendition of their favorite player as they entered to witness the curtain call of #17. Colorado's postseason contention was terminated a while back in the season, and in their 20 year history they have had few winning seasons, but one of the beauties of baseball is that it keeps going even though there's nothing more to accomplish. Heck, the Astros put up a real fight in Cleveland a few days ago. The NL West has not been friendly to Colorado, this year L.A. fought their way back up from the bottom as we know, but the Rockies weren't really contenders anyway, but Helton has seen them through from their fourth season on. He still has a few games left to play, so Colorado fans in those areas can see him one more time, and I bet he'll get everything he can get out of them.
Now onto some postseason talk, all divisions except for the NL Central have been clinched. Boston's own Red Sox, who placed last in their division in 2012, have a record that is almost opposite of last year atop the division that is probably the toughest in baseball. They only need to win one or two more games to clinch the best record. Detroit, last year's AL champs, have taken over the Central, which hasn't been a tough race in a while. Oakland, in a race with Boston for best record, has taken their division, the AL West. The race for the two Wild Cards is exciting, Tampa Bay with the first and Cleveland has the second. Texas is only one game back from reclaiming the second WC, but we'll see if Cleveland can stay hot and hold on to it.
On the National League side of things, Atlanta has coasted to the division title in the East, where it was the only winning team there at a few times during the season. As we all know, the Dodgers have rowdily clinched the West. Now, the NL Central is still open, and so are the two Wild Card spots, reserved for teams from that division. The Cardinals could clinch that division with a win, but the Pirates are only one game back, but still have the first Wild Card. Cincinnati has clinched a Wild Card, which will likely be the second. |