Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Being a Greeley man like myself, you would think (owner) Mr. Dick Monfort would have a throwback Denver Bears uniform day once in a while (re: University of Northern Colorado Bears). As a history guy, I wish more teams would do this. If I owned the Baltimore Orioles, I would have them wear throwback St. Louis Browns jerseys every time they played the St. Louis Cardinals at home. Do you think the owners are just not history buffs?
— Winston Smith, Greeley
Winston, I love your idea of the Rockies wearing throwback Denver Bears jerseys in honor of the longtime Triple-A team. However, it’s my understanding that the Rockies do not have the rights to the Bears’ images and uniforms, so they can’t dress the team in throwbacks.
The Rockies have had several Denver Bears nights at Coors Field, where they handed out Bears jerseys to fans. Those jerseys are coveted items.
Perhaps, someday, the Rockies will have the players wear them.
As for the owners not being history buffs, I don’t think that’s true. I think Dick and Charlie Monfort, both longtime residents of our state, care a lot about history. But they also care about marketing to turn a profit. Maybe they’ll see your question and explore whether or not they can do Denver Bears throwbacks.
Big night for Denver Bears Randy Bass; Tim Raines (2), Dan Briggs (22) and Jerry Manuel (7) congratulate Bass after a three-run home run on April 25, 1980 in Denver. (Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post)
Hi Patrick. Thank you for all the Rockies coverage. With Kris Bryant struggling with physical issues, if he does come back, how about using him just as a designated hitter? Much like Peyton Manning dropping down when protection broke down to protect from injury, why doesn’t Kris do the same? The latest injury catching a foul fly ball was a nice catch, but missing his bat for so many games is not worth it. Hopefully, he can be productive as a DH or he’ll be another big disappointment from a contract standpoint for the Rockies.
— Paul, Aurora
Paul, Bryant returned to the starting lineup Tuesday night when the Rockies hosted the Red Sox. He started in right field and hit fifth. The plan is to use Bryant in right field, at first base and as a DH. Manager Bud Black will mix and match him in the lineup.
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I asked Black before Tuesday’s game if he had any qualms about playing Bryant in right field, especially given Bryant’s back problems. Black said he had no issue with Bryant in right, but with Michael Toglia playing excellent defense at first base and showing home run power, Black must be creative with his lineup.
“Physically, KB feels good,” Black said. “He’s a veteran player whom you trust to let you know how he feels.”
Black said Bryant’s “flexibility” is key.
“We are able to move KB from right to first to DH,” Black said. “And then Charlie (Blackmon) is in the mix, too. Toglia is playing a really great defensive first base and has saved us a bunch of runs, which is so important.
“Getting KB back in the mix after two months out means he’s not going to be (in the lineup) every day.”
What’s the plan for left-hander Ryan Rolison?
— Mark Sherrod, Latrobe, Pa.
Mark, that’s a timely question. I asked farm director Chris Forbes for an update and he said Rolison is finally healthy and pitching as a reliever at Triple-A Albuquerque. Rolison is 1-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 14 games (four starts), but he’s only pitched 22 1/3 innings.
When asked if the Rockies would try to restore Rolison to full-time starter status, Forbes said, “I’m not sure.”
Rolison, 27, was Colorado’s first-round draft choice in 2018. He’s battled a series of shoulder injuries and missed the entire 2023 season when he underwent shoulder surgery. There are no immediate plans for him to make his big-league debut.
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Rolison (47) during 2023 media photo day at spring training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Feb. 24, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The image is an in camera multiple exposure which two images are superimposed in a single frame. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
We were at Coors Field for the Rockies’ second game against the Royals and sat on the third-base side at the club level. There was what appeared to be a camera on a wire going back and forth from home to the outfield at a pretty good clip. What is this, and what function does it provide? It seemed to be moving too fast to be broadcasting video.
— Dave, Johnstown
Dave, I asked Cory Sullivan, the former Rockies outfielder and current analyst for Rockies.TV, about the crazy contraption. You’re correct, it is a camera.
“It’s called a wirecam,” Sullivan said.
He explained that the camera has multiple functions. It can zoom in on the action, spin around to focus on various views of the ballpark, and also take still photos.
“The really cool thing it can do is go with the ball when a right-handed hitter is up,” Sullivan said. “So if a right-hander pulls a home run to left, the camera can follow the ball the whole way.”
Sullivan said the camera moves especially fast when it’s being used as part of various advertisements in breaks between innings.
Hey Patrick, what do you think the ETA is for Charlie Condon to reach the majors? And where do you think he fits with the team?
— Mark, Arvada
Mark, all indications are that Condon, the No. 3 overall draft pick out of Georgia, is on the fast track to the majors. For one thing, he played three years in college. For another, he played in the SEC, the best college baseball conference in the country. Plus, he’s already mature. I could see him debuting at the end of the 2025 season.
His position at the big-league level is yet to be determined. He was a very versatile college player and that’s a major reason why the Rockies like him so much. I think he will eventually become a full-time corner outfielder. He can play third base and first base, too, but outfield is his likely destination.
Georgia first baseman and outfielder Charlie Condon (24) during Georgia’s game against Vanderbilt at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., on Friday, May 03, 2024. (Kari Hodges/UGAAA)
Might Dakota Hudson’s pitching career with the Rockies be over? Or might there be redemption still left this season?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Ed, because the Rockies want to get a long look at their young pitcher and because Hudson performed so poorly, I doubt he will get another shot in the majors this season. It wouldn’t shock me to see him get called up from Triple-A Albuquerque, but I don’t expect it.
The Rockies designated Hudson for assignment earlier this month after the right-hander struggled with a 5.84 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 17 starts. Hudson cleared waivers, was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque, and is on the Isotopes’ roster.
Why do the Rockies always seem to open the season on the road? Since 2012, the Rockies have had an MLB opening day at Coors Field only ONCE — vs. the Dodgers in 2021. This excludes the COVID-shortened 2020 season and the 2022 lockout that altered that season’s opening week. With the release of the 2025 schedule, the Rockies will once again open the season on the road.
— David Herrera, Questa, N.M.
David, there are a few reasons for this. No. 1, while major league teams provide input and make requests for certain days on the schedule, the schedule is ultimately in the hands of Major League Baseball.
Secondly, the Rockies love hosting their home opener on a Friday. Hosting it on that day makes for a nice, long weekend and turns Friday into an unofficial holiday in LoDo. The Rockies don’t always host their home opener on Friday, but that’s what they prefer.
Finally, the Rockies hope to dodge major snowstorms by delaying the home opener by a week or so. Given Denver’s fickle weather, that doesn’t always work, but the Rockies have had remarkably good weather for their opening-day parties.
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