Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

[maverick99]

First of all, I've never tried to post about a franchise of mine before.

Also, I will be picking up on this one about 30 games into the season. I kinda want to do it more as a practice for my future line of work. I want to be a sportswriter, so I will try to do write-ups for each of my games.

Game: MVP 2005
Mode: Owner's Mode
Difficulty: MVP
Games Played: All

Options:
Strike Zone: Off
Cursor: Off
Rumble: Off
Hot/Cold: Off
Hitter's Eye: On

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Current Record: 22-7 8 Game lead in NL West


Starting Lineup

Leading off is Third Base Man Ryan Freel. Freel was forced into the everyday lineup due to an early season injury to prized rookie Dallas McPhearson. Freel is hitting .313 in his time.

Catcher Joe Mauer bats behind Freel. Mauer is the all around Catalyst to the Rockies Offense. After 29 games he is hitting .287 with 4 HR, 16 RBI, 9 SB and 12 BB. Mauer crushes Right-handed pitching to the tune of a .350 AVG.

Clemson Product, and Golden Spikes Award winner from 2001, Khalil Green bats in the Three Hole and mans shortstop. He is hitting .327 with a league leading 13 HR and 25 RBI. Khalil is batting an amazing .440 against RHP this season.

First Baseman Justin Morneau cleans up in the Rockies Order. He boastes a .405 batting AVG, good for 3rd in the league. Morneau combines his Spledid average with Power,12 HR, and a patient eye at the plate ,Team-Leading 13 BB. Wehn asked what he contributes his hittign success so far this season to, Morneau responded by saying "The ball is quite large, The bat is quite large. I just put the two together."

Ben Grieve Fills left-field and the 5-hole. Ben has had his struggles at the plate this season. He is batting .235 with a team leading 23 Strikeouts. Grieve has teeted upon losing his job to Casey Blake all year, however, Blake has been unable to proform in his oppertunities, leaving Grieve in the lineup.

Second Baseman BJ Upton Bates Sixth. Upton began the season as the lead-off man, and was batting .300 after the first 20 games. However, Upton has hit the skids as of late, and is currently 0-13. his battign average has plummeted to .225. Still he leads the league with 21 Stolen bases.

Another Rookie, Nick Swisher bats seventh and plays right field. Swisher has shown some pop this season, with 4 HR. He is hitting .276, but continues to be a liabiliy in the outfield. With 6 errors this season, Swisher owns the teams worst fielding percentage. "Sometimes I confuse the ball with the "Snoopy One" Blimp overhead" Swisher said to the press.

Centerfielder and Late-Round Selection Grady Sizemore bats before the pitcher. Sizemore is hitting a miesly .229 with 5 SB. "Maybe Next Week, i will try to muscle the ball into the outfield" Sizemore says of his Zero Extra Base Hits this season.


Overall, the youth Movement in Colorado has not produced a whole lot of runs, but the talent is there. in time, the team will develop into a great group of hitters. "We just need to hit to weights harder" Conditioning Coach Josh Newsome says of the Small-Ball type offense.

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Pitching Rotation

Last Year's Cy Young, and Rockies First Round Selection Johan Santana is the Ace of a talented Young staff. After 6 Starts, Santana is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA, and 29 Strikeouts. Although tough to hit, holding oppents to a .205 AVG, Santana has been victimized by the longball this season. He has allowed 7 Homeruns, 4 more than any other pitcher on the team.

Guitarist Barry Zito Holds down the number two spot in the rotation. Zito has found his 2002 Cy Young Form once again. After 6 Starts he is 5-0 with an 0.88 ERA and 30 Strikeouts. Zito has held opponents to a .197 AVG. "I really feel like I have the mental part of the game back again" He said of his impressive success this season.

Money Ball Product Rich Harden is 3-0 with a 2.29 ERA. Harden's blazing 99 MPH fastball has led to 24 K's this season.

Once the ace of Cal State Fullerton, Kirk Saarloos never reached his potential in Houston. He has in Colorado. Saarloos is 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 22 K's. Saarloos has been virtually untouchable this season. He moves the ball in and out, up and down effortlessly changing speeds and keeping the hitters off-balance.

Youngster Scott Kazmir was the teams 5th starter. After Starting out 2-1, Kazmr took a line drive off his foot, breaking a toe, and sidelining him for 16 days. He is still 8 Days away from returning to the DL. His fill-in, minor-league call-up Derek Hunter is 0-2 with a 7.31 ERA. In his last start Hunter surrendered 7 runs in two innings, and was chased from the game early.


The bullpen is anchored by Ryan Wagner. once thought to be the closer of the future for Cincinatti, Wagner was found to be destined to be a set-up man. This season he is 5-0 with an 0.60 ERA. J.C. Romero had the set-up role early, adn held a 0.00 ERA for the first 15 games. however, he has been roughed up in his last few apperences. He now sports a 6 ERA and an 0-2 record.

Back from His Wild Days, Rick Ankiel is pitching back to form in the Rockies Bullpen. he is 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA and only One wild Pitch and one hit batter. Scott Sullivan continues to be an innings eater in the bullpen, and has picked up two saves as well.

Armed with a 100 MPH fastball Jose Capellan, might be the most dangerous pitcher in the Rockies Bullpen. Strugglign to hit spots in the early going, his ERA ballooned to four digits. But after a Minor League assignment, Capellan is back. He has lowered his ERA to 6.30 and hasn't allowed an Earned Run in his last three apperences.

The Closer of this Talented Staff, Is University of Texas Grad Huston Street. Known for his poise, competitiveness, and intensity as a Longhorn, Street has proformed VERY well on the Major League Stage. Street has racked up 10 Saves in 10 Oppurtunities, and hold an 0.66 ERA. Street has held opponents to a league-low .167 AVG.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Hey man, I am a sportswriter for the paper, lemme know fi I can help in any way. If you write any articles about any teams, email them to me if u want at [email protected]

I suggest watch your favorite team and write about them every know and then, I used to do it with the Sox.

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Hey man, I am a sportswriter for the paper, lemme know fi I can help in any way. If you write any articles about any teams, email them to me if u want at [email protected]

I suggest watch your favorite team and write about them every know and then, I used to do it with the Sox.

I do try to write about teams as much as possible, to get a feel for what it would be like to do it as an everyday job. How do you like doing it? Does it remain fun everyday?



Rockies (22-7) at Marlins (11-18)

Rockies 0 Marlins 1

NEAR PERFECTION AT PRO PLAYER

AP - It was a classic pitchers duel at Pro Player Stadium. Kirk Saarloos took his 0.00 ERA up against Wilson Alvarez (2-1). However, Alvarez was the pitcher that looked like he owned a spotless ERA. In the Top of the First Ryan Freel, Joe Mauer, and Khalil Green all Struck out as Alvarez kept them guessing with his Changeup, that had batters off-balance all night.

Saarloos stayed fairly step for step with Alvarez. Kirk entered the game with more Strikeouts, 23, than hits allowed, 22. Unfortunately his command was not all there tonight. Saarloos spread 7 hits over 7 Innings with 4 Strikeouts, but surrendered no runs. He left the game tied at zero. In the sixth, Saarloos had his closest call to losing his 0 ERA when three straight singles loaded the bases with no outs. Saarloos then struck out the next batter, and recorded a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.

The Rockies offense never really woke up. It was not until a 2 Out Walk of Khalil Green in the Seventh Inning, that Colorado saw first base. "I was just trying to get on any way I could, we needed base runners" Green said of his 7 pitch walk to break up the perfecto. In the Eighth Right Fielder Nick Swisher doubled into the right field corner, notching the team's first hit of the night. Immeadiantly after the hit, Alvarez was pulled from the game. "I was getting tired, I left a few pitches out over the plate, and was fortunate that the line drives didn't fall".

In the bottom of the eighth Rafael Furcal Took a two out, two strike curveball over the left field fence off reliever J.C. Romero to break the scoreless tie. "I couldn't get the ball low enough, it hung right around the tighs, and he hit it".

Brad Lidge Shut Down the Rockies in the ninth to secure the victory.

Saarloos: 7 IP, 7 Hits, 4 K
Romero: L (0-3) 1 IP, 1 ER

Alvarez: 7 2/3 IP 1 Hit , 7 K
Harper: W (2-1) 1/3 IP
Lidge: S (5) 1 IP 2 K

The Rockies how now dropped the last two games, and for just the second time all season, lost a series. The bats have been silented as of late by mediocre pitching. Tomorrow they open up a three game Homestand against the Atlanta Braves. The Pitching matchup for game one is Chan Ho Park (2-2) vs. Johan Santana (3-1)

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Atlanta Braves AT Colorado Rockies

AP - Today's game saw the return of prized rookie Dallas McPhearson to the Rockies lineup.

Starter Johan Santana got into some trouble early. The Braves touched him up for three hits and a run in the first inning.

Dallas McPhearson and the Rocks answered back in the second. McPhearson took the first strike he saw since returning from the DL and ripped it over the rightcenter field wall, to tie the game at 1.

Chan Ho Park and Santana went pitch for pitch for the next 6 innings, leaving the game tied at 1 entering the bottom of the eighth.

Khalil Green led off the home half of the eighth with a walk. Justin Morneau would single through the right side of the infield, putting runners on first and second with no one out. Ben Grieve Chased a high fastball, and popped up to shortstop. Dallas McPhearson was then at the plate, 2-3 with a homerun on the day, looking for more. A 2-2 Fastball was ripped to the left side, but right to the third baseman for an easy 5-4-3 DP to end the threat.

Rick Ankiel came to the mound to Relieve Santana in the Ninth. Ankile K'd the first two batters of the inning, but then hit a batter with a wild curveball, and allowed a single to left. The next batter hit a routine groundball to third, McPhearson charged and saw the ball bounce off the tip of his glove for an error. Ankiel's next pitch was parked for a Pinch-hit 3-run-HR by Aaron Almanza, that proved to be the decider.

ATL - 4
COL - 1

Park (3-2)
Ankiel (2-2)
Urbina (10)

That marks three in a row dropped by the leaders of the NL West. Again, the bats were not there. While collecting 8 hits, Colorado was 0-11 with runners in scoring position on the night.

"It was a heart breaker. I was happy to be back today, I felt great. First at-bat I connected to tie the game. Then in the ninth, I lost it for us. No excuses. I stayed down on it, and watched myself miss the ball. No Excuses." - Dallas McPhearson on his return to the lineup.

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Braves at Rockies (Game 2 of 3 Games set)


Braves: 1
Rockies: 4

AP- After three straight losses, the Rockies Turned to Barry Zito to provide relief from the skid. He answered in a big way. The Southpaw tossed 6 shutous innings with 6 Strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 0.77 and improving to 6-0.

The bats livened up on this night for Colorado. Joe Mauer tripled with one out in the first, and was driven home by a Khalil Green double into the leftcenter field gap. In the Second, Grady Sizemore lifted his first homerun of the year. "It must have been the injection our hitting coach gave me before the game. He told me it was a new sunscreen". The homerun was Sizemores first Extra base hit of the entire season.

The Rocks jumped farther ahead in the fifth when a harmless two-out dribbler, became an infield single for pitcher Barry Zito. Braves Pitcher Jarrod Washburn pounced on the grounder, but had no play at first. On the next two pitches, he allowed back-to-back doubles to BJ Upton and Joe Mauer, pushing the lead to 4-0.

JC Romero continued to struggle, as he allowed two hits and a run in 2/3 of an inning of relief. The reliever had this to say, "I have really been looking at myself on tape the last few games, trying to figure out what is going on. I felt good today, and I was hitting my spots better, but the pitches just got hit".

Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his save number 11 of the season.

W - Zito (6-0)
L - Washburn (2-2)
S - Street (11)

Current Record: 23-9

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Braves: 1
Rockies: 2

AP - Rich Harden dominated on the hill when he need to all night long. Harden went 7 Innings and recorded 9 Strikeouts, while surrendering no earned runs. The lone Braves Run was scored on a throwing error by Second Baseman BJ Upton.

The rockies Jumped ahead in the third on a two-out RBI single by Khalil Green to drive hiome Joe Mauer, who just stole second for his 9th SB of the season.

Nick Swisher led off the bottom of the seventh with his 5th Homerun of the year. "He threw my 5 straight fastballs," Swisher said, "I was bound to catch up to one of them."

Dallas McPhearson was sent back to the disabled list today after reaggravating his ACL diving for an infield ground ball. Perrenial All-Star Jeff Bagwell of the Braves also left the game with a pulled groin sustained making a diving catch to rob Rockies Third Baseman Ryan Freel of extra bases

Huston Street pitched a scorelss ninth to record his 12th save of the season.

W- Harden (4-0)
L - Jimenez (2-3)
S - Street (12)

The Division Rival Arizona Diamondbacks are coming to town next. The Pitching match up of game one of the series is 20 Game winner Roy Oswalt (2-1 4.57) against Rookie call-up Derek Hunter (0-2 7.31)

[maverick99]

Re: Colorado Rockies Fantasy Drafted MVP 2005

Rockies: 5
D'Backs: 0

AP - With Scott Kazmir a few short days away from returning to the rotation, Rockies management opted to skip Derek Hunter in the Rotation and send Kirk Saarloos to the hill on four days rest. Saarloos entered the game 4-0 with an ERA of 0.00.

Good pitcher find a way to keep their team in the game without their best stuff. Saarloos did just that tonight against the D'Backs. Saarloos fell behind each of the first 5 batters he faced, and only saw three 0-2 counts the entire night; yet still managed to keep Garret Anderson and the D'Backs quiet at the plate. Through 6 innings Saarloos allowed 6 hits, striking out two.

The Rockeis Gave Saarloos the lead in the 3rd with an RBI single by Joe Mauer, plating Ryan Freel from second.

But Saarloos saw no more run support until he left the game. In the Seventh, the Colorado offense took advantage of a tired Oswalt. Ben Grieve, BJ Upton, Nick Swisher, and Grady Sizemore all singled before Oswalt could retire a batter. A fielders choic left runners at 1st and 3rd. Ryan Freel then singled up the middle to plate the third run of the inning, extending the lead to 4-0.

Justin Morneau Broke out of an 0-10 slump with Solo Homerun in the 8th, his 13th of the year.

W- Saarloos (5-0)
L - Oswalt (2-3)

The chants of Cy Young can be heard through Denver tonight as young Kirk Saarloos proved that he is worthy of his 0.00 ERA that he still retains after 7 Starts this season.

Projected Starter for Colorado Tomorrow is Johan Santana (3-1)

Current Record : 25-9