Baseball can be fun

You know, when I'm not listening to the Mets I can find baseball enjoyable. I don't grumble, wince, sweat and curse to myself. Today I'm listening to last night's Colorado vs. Arizona game from Chase Field.

During the 4th inning, the Rockies' announcers brought up a funny story about former Rockie Josh Fogg, now on the Reds, and Ken Griffey Jr. Apparently the two had a bet and Griffey lost. $1500. Yesterday Griffey paid up.

When pitcher Josh Fogg approached his locker Wednesday afternoon, he found it nearly walled off with blocks of pennies. To be exact: 60 boxes of pennies in $25 increments.

Griffey was the culprit.

Fogg said the "reason is probably not to be discussed in the media," but the scuttlebutt was that it was from a bet.

"I didn't think he could do it," Fogg said. "I told him he couldn't get it done."

Griffey was tickled to see Fogg's reaction to the gag. He said each box weighed 16 pounds.

"Basically he has 60 bowling balls in his locker," Griffey said.

Griffey wanted the pennies to arrive in money bags but said he felt bad someone at a bank would have to count the bags upon their return.

Fogg has in his possession 150,000 pennies, or $1,500.

"I think I'll take them out to the (bull)pen with me and count them. I've got a lot of time out there," Fogg said.

The Rockies' announcers said that "knowing Fogg, there'll be some form of retribution". See what I mean? Fun.

Colorado 4 - San Diego 2

Last night's rainout left me 'free' this morning, so I chose the game from Petco. Why? Because Aaron Cook is on my fantasy team (I'm having a good year so far). Cook has been incredible this season. 6-1 so far and he seems to go 7 each start. He doesn't strike too many out, but he gets people out and that's the name of the game.

Last night he struggled with his control - 4 walks - but you can get away with that against SD. Boy, they really can't hit. Yesterday they cut Jim Edmonds, who they signed during the off-season to replace Mike Cameron. I wonder if they regret letting him go? Probably not seeing as he was out for 25 games with a drug suspension and he's hitting .195 since.

They're also not in any hurry to bring up their best outfield prospect, Chase Headley. Former Met minor leaguer Jason Huber is getting some playing time, but he's not hitting either.

Colorado 4 - Chicago 2

Tuned in for this game this afternoon. Good game. Great job by Cook and Fuentes, the new closer. Yup. Funny how some managers make quick moves when a key guy's not delivering. Corpas wasn't getting the job done - four blown saves already - so Clint Hurdle swapped him for set up man Brian Fuentes.

One other thing that's been getting on my nerves is that last year we heard a lot about how great the Rockie's team defense was. Well, I've listened to two games from Colorado already this year and I get the feeling that their official scorer is pretty reluctant to call misplays 'errors'. Today Aaron Cook conceded an earned run after a ball was 'waved at' by Clint Barmes at second.

Rockies 2 - Braves 1

Decided to go with the Rockies' broadcast rather than the Braves'. No good reason other than I wanted to hear what they had to say about Aaron Cook (my fantasy team). Thanks to that decision I learned that in in Colorado the starting pitcher decides what uniform the team wears. Cook likes the black top. I haven't heard anything like that about any team and its uniforms before.

I haven't mentioned it yet, but I hate seeing the Mets in those black tops.

Sheeesh, but the Rockies' announcers could hardly have been more fawning in their discussion of Tom Glavine. Left me feeling kind of queasy. At least they acknowledged that he imploded during the last game of the 2007 season.

Glavine was lights out last night. He left after a very strong 6 1/3. Remember last year's 6 runs in the 3rd at Coors? (Actually, I had to look that one up. That's not the point!) One difference is that it was very cold in Denver yesterday - temperature below 40° at game time. The hitters for both teams were swinging early as if they wanted to get back to the bench quickly.

{I know a lot of Met fans get angry - a lot. For some reason I don't get too angry at the Mets or even Willie too often. Frustrated yes, but not that angry. But Glavine makes me angry. It's unreasonable, but I don't care. I was just fuming as I listened to this game. I was relieved when Holliday went deep in the 8th to take away the W for Glavine. If only it had been early enough to allow Cook - 7 inn, 1R, 2H - to get the win. I guess, you can't have everything.}

Shortest game in Coors Field history - 2'05". Like I said, the hitters seemed to want to get back to the bench in a hurry. It was cold.

Hmm. Ads for Playboy - 'baseball preview issue out now' - during the games on KOA. Different.