The Six Greatest Rockies Walkoffs Since 2007

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If I did this blogging thing for a living, I'd offer you the Top Rockies Walkoffs of All-Time. But then I'd be working on it for three weeks, the list would look more like "38 Greatest Rockies Walkoffs of All-Time" and I would still probably be missing some great ones.

So, I offer you the six best walkoff wins in the last 3 years. Enjoy.


No. 6: Helton Gets It All Started
Sept. 18, 2007
We start at the beginning - at least in terms of on the calendar. This is the earliest entry of these six memories. But Todd Helton's walkoff blast against Takashi Saito was what got 21 of 22 started. Wish there was video, so this will have to do. (Let me know if you have a link to video.)

No. 5: Papel-BOMBED
June 23, 2010
Ubaldo got rocked, sure. In the only game I'll probably see him pitch live this season. That was no fun. But this sure shut up all the obnoxious - and I do mean, OBNOXIOUS with a capital OBNOXIOUS - Boston fans. Jason Giambi and the golden thong live!

No. 4: 9 in the 9th
July 6, 2010
Poor Ryan Franklin. Poor Tony LaRussa. And most of all, poor DJ Jarvis. Biggest 9th-inning comeback in Colorado Rockies history, and that's saying something. This is Seth Smith's first career walkoff homer.

No. 3: Ryan Spilborghs is "SPRINTING AROUND THE BASES!"
Sept. 24, 2009
Arguably the greatest call in the career of Fox Sports Rocky Mountain play-by-play man Drew Goodman. Much like Helton's blast propelled the '07 Rox to Rocktober, this Spilly home run pushed the '09 team into October. Yes, Helton's hit ended up meaning more. But again, the Goodman reaction pushed this walkoff up the list.

No. 2: Fireworks? What Fireworks?
July 4, 2008
I was at this game. I'm still not sure how the Rockies won it. And never will be.

No. 1: Game 163
Oct. 1, 2007

"It sounds like the kind of bedtime story you'd tell your 5-year-old son when he wants to hear a fairy tale." - Ryan Spilborghs

I can't quite put into words what this game, this night, this memory means to me. I've said it over and over, and I'll say it again: it doesn't matter how many Super Bowls or Stanley Cups or major championships come to Denver. Game 163 will be that fairy tale I'll tell my son, when he asks what was the best sports moment of my life. The fact that it ultimately led to this makes it all the more special.

-AB

HE'S SPRINTING AROUND THE BASES! WOW!!!! WOW!!!

. Technically, it's Case of the Mondays, because arguably the most incredible, unbelievable, leave-your-jaw-wide-open-unable-to-speak spectacular moment in Denver sports history - and probably the most unbelivable moment in all of sports this year - occurred at 11:38 local time. Where I am, it was 12:38, so it's Tuesday. But Coors Field ROCKED while the bell was 22 minutes from tolling midnight. So, dammit, we're callin this Case of the Mondays.

I'm writing this at 2:05 am - about 90 minutes after the Rockies' indescribable 6-4 walk-off victory against the Giants. I'm still in shock. I'm a little numb. Probably delirious. Not sure how I'm going to function at work tomorrow, especially since I can't sleep thinking about the next three games on the ol' sked. But before I pass out from what's going on in LoDo, here are some bullet-point thoughts:

• Broncos who?
• I didn't realize Todd Helton had reached the Albert Pujols point where you just walk him automatically - even if the bases are loaded in a one-run game.
• But I did love Helton staring down Barry Zito after doing just that to tie the game up at 1. That was Zito's third free pass handed out to TH. Some veteran pitcher, ya hack.
• Yet another great play by Tulowitzki in the field to save a hit in the 10th. Of course, the announcers went nuts on ESPN during Top 10 when it was showed, which is well and good - but honestly, we Rockie fans are used to it. That's what Tulo does.
• Troy Tulowitzki > Derek Jeter. At least now he is. In the words of Matt Berry, you heard me.
• Of course, Tulo's boneheaded running error in the bottom of that inning can't go unnoticed. Runner on 2nd (a pinch-runner, by the way, so Helton's now out of the game), nobody out, Tulo singles to right. I guess he figured that if there was a play at the plate, either the game was over or CarGo would be out, so he should take second on the throw.
• But you've got to have more awareness than that. And besides, even with CarGo was held up and the ball was cut off, why didn't Troy scamper back to first? That killed the inning. Killed it.
• I do know that Tulo's playing through a bad leg injury. And Dex Fowler may have to do the same after fouling one off his knee in the 14th. Yikes.



• Cy Young boy Tim Lincecum pinch-running, and closer Brian Wilson batting for himself in the 11th. Ummmm...what's wrong with this picture?
• The exchange after that was hilarious: a terrible bunt by Wilson, Yorvit Torrealba making a horribly short throw to second, but Barmes makes a great dig and throws to first in time to nail a surprised Wilson. Threat over, inning over.
• But yeah, I mean, what's wrong with this picture? MLB, one way or the other here. Pick a DH for both leagues or neither. Preferably both leagues, but either way, make a decision. We're waiting. Somebody wake up Bud.
• Seriously, who are these Broncos characters? And where'd they go? Haven't heard much about them recently.
• Plus Brandon Medders lining to third with the bases juiced and two out in the 13th. Medders is the Giants', like, fifth reliever. Just adds to the awe of this game.



• All right, quote time: here's Drew Goodman's exact words in the bottom of the 14th:


• "Ryan 1 for 6. In the air, deep right-center field, way back...ROCKIES WIN IT! GRAND SLAM, RYAN SPILBORGHS! YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! HE'S SPRINTING AROUND THE BASES! WOW! WOW!"
• And with all the passion illustrated with the all-caps. Perfectly executed by the long-time Rockies play-by-play man. Unlike that obnoxious "See Ya!" bullshit that's been 15 years overdone by the YES network buffoon.
• First walk-off grand slam in Rox history? Wouldn't have thunk it.
• Jim Tracy damn near collapsed when Spilly's blast cleared the bullpen wall. He is SO cool. Might be my favorite coach in Colorado, with regards to George Karl.
• And Tracy keeps saying it: "WE DON'T QUIT". Ah, the anti-Carmelo Anthony 2008 speech. (Sorry, Melo! Still love ya)
• On the other hand, San Francisco Giants: Just go home. Quit. Seriously. You have a better chance of making the 2009 MLB playoffs as the Washington Nationals, the New England Patriots, and the Saudi Arabian team in the Little League World Series. It's true.



• It is about this time I'm pondering: "what if this exact game happened between two teams wearing Yankees and Red Sox uniforms?"
• I'm thinking the following truths: the roof in Bristol would explore; ESPN would pre-empt all its programming (including its beloved LLWS) for the next 16 hours to show highlights; Bill Simmons would be composing a 60,000-word column as well as a book to be sold in stores at a Barnes & Noble near you next May; Buster Olney's head would explode; Peter Gammons would have a heart attack; and did I mention the roof in Bristol would explode? Yes, yes I did.
• That's not to knock ESPN's coverage of this game; it was great hearing the two anchors lead it off for the 1 pm SportsCenter. I'm just saying, Yankees-Red Sox is, well, it's getting old.
• Neil Everett, whom I hate, had two priceless lines on SportsCenter.
• The first was while ESPN showed the box score, right after Eaton's RBI walk: “Well, if you’re hanging around lower downtown Denver around midnight on Monday looking for something to do, you could catch this wild Rockies game now in the 14th inning, the Giants took a three-run lead in the top of the 14th, but then Adam Eaton walked with the bases loaded, and now…Ryan Spilborghs…(long pause)…has JUST HIT A WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM HOME RUN TO WIN IT FOR THE ROCKIES! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”
• And this, “Me and Stan (Verrett) are watching this, and we have chicken skin, hair raising on the back of our necks”
• Neil, you moved up a few notches in my book. Keep it up, dude.



• Let me ask you: how is ESPN NOT moving mountains to get a Dodgers-Rockies game on national television this week? HOW?!?!
• Or how about Giants-Rockies on FOX on Saturday? Yo, Fox, check the fucking standings! CUBS ARE 62-60, EIGHT GAMES OUT! METS ARE 10 GAMES UNDER .500!!!!!
• And Dodgers-Reds? DODGERS-REDS? Who’s setting these matchups and are they triple or quadruple the legal limit when they’re doing so?
• Whatever. Bring on a Rangers-Rockies World Series. Can't wait to see jobs lost at MLB when that happens.



• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEAT LA.
• BEA
• (That's 15.5 'beat LAs'. Same as the number of games the Rockies were back of the Dodgers on June 3.)
• Attention Dodgers: Rockies in your rearview mirror are closer than they appear.
• I don't honestly think the Rox get more than a game in this series. An incredibly physical, taxing series with the G-Men just ending, the Dodgers had the day off, the pitching matchups are severely in LA's favor...
• That being said, that puts the pressure on the Dodgers. Should the Rockies get 2 of 3, the noose is gonna tighten even more around LA.
• Oh, and one more thing: Print 'em up. That's right, playoff tickets. Print 'em up. That's all I gotta say about that.

Have a good one.

-AJ

Three Tricky Trivia Questions of the Week

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Wanted to postscript today's Sportsman and The Next Erin Andrews of the Month with an apology that we haven't been posting more often. July has been a surprisingly busy time here, mainly ridden with travel to everywhere from Fort Dodge to Chicago to Madison. So it's been tough to find time on the blog. But I promise, once football season of all varieties gets started up (NFL, fantasy, college, high school), there will be more frequent posts. I promise.



Now, here are three fun trivia questions. No fair using the Internet.
The first is courtesy of the Comcast SportsNet broadcast of tonight's Cubs-Rockies game.

Four active left-handed batters have more hits than Todd Helton. Name 'em.

Question numero dos is courtesy of Jayson Stark on Tuesday's "Mike and Mike in the Morning".

Albert Pujols now has nine consecutive 100-RBI seasons to begin his career. There are only six active major league players, besides Pujols, with nine 100-RBI seasons in their entire careers. Name 'em.

And your final pop quiz inquiry of the day is courtesy of yours truly. One of those hidden-identity-name-the-two-compared-players deals. Enjoy.

Pitcher A: 141 IP, 10-5, 3.69 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 125 K, 16 homers allowed in a hitter's park
Pitcher B: 150 IP, 9-9, 3.65 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 134 K, 8 homers allowed in a hitter's park

Oh, and one more thing...
Pitcher A makes $16.5 million this season
Pitcher B makes $750,000 this season

Name 'em.

If you like, post your guesses as a comment to this entry. I'll have the answers later this week.

-AJ

TNEA of the Month

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This blog will be mostly reserved for just sports talk, but in the good name of many bloggers and ESPN writers before us (ahem, Matthew Berry), there's gotta be a little risque factor to Bucky and Boomer as well. So we're gonna start up a monthly feature, in which we pay our respects to some woman in the sports atmosphere that might have the goods and the gusto to one day take over Erin Andrews' current post as all-time sports goddess. Nothing against EA - we still love ya up in Wisco - but fads change more quickly than an orderly man's socks, so we must be prepared for Erin's understudy! I call it "The Next Erin Andrews of the Month", or "TNEA of the Month" for short. Well, for kind of short. TNEAOTM just looked weird.

March's nomination (how sad, it's just for a week) is a bit of an obvious one, since many people in both Colorado and Wisconsin know about her: Charissa Thompson, formerly of Fox Sports Rocky Mountain (the Rockies' sideline girl during the World Series season of 2007) and currently of the Big Ten Network and FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period. She's an obvious choice in that, uh, she's clearly being groomed as one of the top up-and-comers to perhaps one day succeed EA as the loveliest sideline girl of them all. But nonetheless, she dons the first crown for this monthly honor. Check back on April 1st for April's nominee, and we promise you will not be disappointed.

-AJ