Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tuesday Links and Things: The boys are back in Scottsdale

It's over. Our long winter without baseball (and shockingly with little snow here in Illinois) is over. Over the past few days, Rockies pitchers, catchers and eager position players have reported to Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottdale, Arizona, which means we can now officially welcome you to the 2012 baseball season.

Naturally, the question that follows that declaration is what will the 2012 season bring for the Colorado Rockies.

Success? Disappointment? Further embarrassment to build on last season's embarrassment?

Well, honestly, I have no idea. I just know that a slow start could lead to some very interesting, if not desperate decisions in the early going. That's regardless of the recent handshake deal between Dan O'Dowd and Jim Tracy that extents the skipper's contract for an 'indefinite' number of years. Then again, a good start could just as easily lead to another poor finish. Or for the first team in franchise history, we may actually see them play seven good months in a row!

But don't hold your breath on that one.

Anyway, it's a bit too early to worry about all of that. All we really need to worry about these first few days of camp is keeping everyone upright and healthy. And in other cases, making sure those returning from injury suffer no setbacks. So basically, yay baseball is back! But yeah, the real interesting stuff is still a good 7-10 days away.

I think we can handle it.

And just because the first few days of camp are slow and filled with stories about who's in shape, who's not, and who's hair looks the dumbest, doesn't mean there aren't a few interesting articles and updates to check out. Here are a few from the past week.

1. Troy Renck spoke to 49-year-old Jamie Moyer on Monday and filed the following report. Denver Post

2. Curtis Seidle takes a look at Rockies player entering camps without options and analyzes their chances of making of the squad. Rox Pile

3. David Martin previews the season in Podcast form with Brian Sullivan of FanSportsPodcast.com. Go check it out over at Rockies Review.

4. Andrew Martin has his five stories to watch in spring training. Purple Row

5. Can you guess the only two Rockies position players in franchise history to start 500+ games for the team while holding a winning percentage over .500? Plunk Everyone has the answer.

H/N to Purple Row's Andrew Fisher for the link.

6. Can you believe it's been FIVE years? Neither can Tom Ley. Blake Street Bulletin

7. Kevin Kernan of the New York Times talked to Dante Bichette Jr. about his upbringing and who he credits the most for helping him achieve his goals in baseball. Very good read. New York Times

8. Rockies Roster was already among the best, most well organized baseball sites on the web. Now it's even better after a few recent upgrages. Check them out. Rockies Roster

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