The Colorado Rockies won yesterday 2-1, on the road, in a one run game, with Ubaldo Jimenez throwing eight strong innings. Huston Street allowed runners to 1st and 3rd with only one out in the ninth inning. Nothing new there. Jayson Werth, the Washington National $126-million man, grounded into a game-ending double play. It was the 96th double play accomplished by the Rockies, leading the National League, topped only by the Rangers and Royals in MLB. Jimenez threw 112 pitches in his eight innings, struck out eight, walked only one and allowed only one run, in an outing that reminded me of last year's All-Star Game starter. His record improved to 4-8, and he is 3-1 in his last 5 starts, with a 3.06 ERA, 33 Ks, 10 walks, 27 hits in 33-1/3 innings. Since he surrendered 3 home runs in one game, June 12 to the Dodgers at Coors Field, only one ball has left the yard in these most recent 5 starts. All-Star-snubbed Todd Helton drove in both Colorado runs with his 10th homer in the 4th and a ground-out in the 5th. Helton now has 41 RBIs and is hitting .318, on pace to equal or best his superb 2009 season, when he batted .325 with 15 HRs, 86 RBIs and an OPS of .904. Todd's OPS is now at .893.
OPS is the combined aggregate of on-base-percentage and slugging. On-base is figured by adding hits, walks, hit-by-pitch, fielder's choice and reached-on-error, and divided by plate appearances. When calculating a batter's batting average, walks, hit-by-pitch and sacrifices do not count as an official at-bat, but as a plate appearance. A slugging percentage is calculated by adding the total bases credited from hits, divided by official at-bats. So, a home run in one at-bat gives you a slugging percentage of 4.000. A single in 4 at-bats makes it .250. A high on-base statistic indicates a good batting eye with great strike zone discipline and/or a slap hitter who walks a lot (Juan Pierre). Rockies' best on-base batter? Todd Helton at .399. Rockies' best slugger? New addition, pitcher Eric Stults, 2 at-bats, one double, slugging 1.000. Among the regulars, Mark Ellis is slugging at .639, but Jason Giambi is the real leader at .635, with more at-bats and 9 home runs with 22 RBIs in only 85 at-bats.
The Nationals scored their only run in the home half of the 6th when lead-off hitter Roger Bernadina led off with a triple and scored on pinch-hitter Rich Ankiel's ground ball to second baseman, Mark Ellis, with the Rockies' infield playing back. That was the final tally in the game, and now the Rockies have a two-game winning streak, hoping to sweep the Nationals today, giving them some much-needed momentum going in to the All Star break. At best, the Rockies will still be 6-1/2 games behind the Giants, 3 games under .500, with only 71 games remaining in the season. Tall order, slim chance.
Nothing can detract from Derek Jeter's accomplishments in his unparalleled career. Yes, I am a die-hard Yankee fan, and, yes, I am a proud to point to the Yankee pinstripes and to the conjoined N-Y on my hat. No organization in sports history has represented as much class as the Yankees. Argue with me that they "spend so much money", that they "buy pennants", that they represent all that you hate about baseball. Go ahead, argue. Then, go watch your NASCAR or your heavyweight boxing, or the latest Angelina Jolie movie, or Three and A Half Men episode. You cannot be a true baseball fan if you are just a Yankee hater. You probably are not a true baseball fan if you can't appreciate greatness in all its forms, ensconced in any uniform. Only 28 men have reached 3,000 hits in a Major League uniform. Derek Jeter has gotten every one of his hits in a Yankee uniform. His is a very storied and already legendary career. And without a hint of controversy, without a single blemish on his resume. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Roger Maris, Billy Martin, Elston Howard, Goose Gossage. Name after name evoking memory after memory in a history rich in character and accomplishment.
Hail To Derek Jeter! Not only reaching 3,000........ but doing it with a home run! Not just getting to 3,000........ but getting 5 hits in 5 at-bats, with the fifth hit driving in the winning run? Come on, dramatic moments seem to follow #2 in the pinstripes, his whole career. First hit, May 30, 1995 in a season that saw him make appearances in only 15 games getting 15 hits that first year. He was the Opening Day shortstop in 1996, when he hit his first Major League home run, also Joe Torre's first game as Yankee manager. The Jeffrey Maier interference over Oriole right fielder Tony Tarasco's waiting glove in the 1996 ALCS on Jeter's fly ball that was ruled a tying home run. The dive into the third base seats after catching a foul fly against Boston. The first Major League home run ever hit in the Month of November, 2001 World Series delayed by the 9/11 atrocities, with the tattered World Trade Center American flag proudly flying over Yankee Stadium. The backhand, underhand flip of the ball to Jorge Posada to nip Jeremy Giambi at home plate in the ALDS in 2001. Saturday Night Live in drag, also in 2001. On and on, Google "Derek Jeter Wiki" and check out his resume.
And finally, best wishes to Zach and Nicole Davis, married yesterday. Daughter of my good friends, Dave and Kris Adair. I met Dave on the night that Nicole was born, then discovered that he grew up in the same town as my wife, Kathy. Then connected that Kathy's father and Dave's father were partners in a two-man medical practice back in Michigan. We've been fast friends ever since, and I hope for all the best as Zach and Nicole embark on their lives together. Godspeed.
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