The Colorado Rockies Don't Lead the League in Sucking Anymore

A May 21 blog seen in this space was headlined "The Colorado Rockies Lead the League -- In Sucking," and at the time, this assertion was inarguably true. The team, which has been down for years, appeared to be bound for subterranean depths even this notoriously mediocre franchise had never visited before, and there was seemingly nothing manager Clint Hurdle (pictured) could do to stop the slide. But a lot's happened between now and then, and October 1, when the Rockies are set to face down the San Diego Padres for the right to represent the National League as a wild-card playoff entry, is the day for all us doubters to eat a dictionary worth of words -- and we'll happily do so.

Win or lose, the Rockies became relevant in 2007 for the first time in more than a decade, and that's a victory in and of itself. Of course, that doesn't guarantee the squad will be competitive down the line. But even the folks at MonfortsMustSell.com, a website that was hypercritical of the Rockies earlier this year, have at least temporarily suspended their disgruntlement. A September 28 post on the page reads, "I for one certainly don’t have a lot of faith/any faith in the guys driving this ship to do the right things in the long run. But in the short run maybe we can show the Monforts that this is a baseball town, that when you do put a quality product on the field we will show up."

And show up they did. The Rockies took on the Arizona Diamondbacks before packed houses this past weekend, and there's no doubt the tonight's play-in game will attract a capacity crowd to Coors Field and just about every sports bar in town. Thank goodness the Rockies don't lead the league in sucking anymore. -- Michael Roberts