see also ndnfan's thread today for more info and insight...
rockies notes
Double-A to Denver easy jump
By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Sports Writer
Monday, August 26, 2002 - There is nervous. There is anxious. And there is life as a rookie in the major leagues.
It's hard to underestimate how overwhelmed some kids feel when they walk into a big-league clubhouse. Suddenly, they are Radar O'Reilly in a room full of George Clooneys. Posters on their walls have come to life, forcing pterodactyls to flutter in their stomach.
The Colorado Rockies have noticed. That's why they have run a winter development program in Denver the past two seasons for top prospects, focusing on conditioning to dealing with the media. The goal is to remove the tingle when players are called up, leaving them more apt to contribute than be awestruck.
Aaron Cook, tonight's starter against the San Francisco Giants, participated in a scaled-down version of the program last winter at Coors Field, staying with a local host family. He thinks the experience helped make his rocket ride from Double-A ball to the Rockies nearly turbulence-free.
"I was familiar with the city from the offseason. I knew downtown and how to get to the ballpark," said Cook, who replaced Shawn Chacon in the rotation Friday after four relief appearances. "It really makes a difference when you don't have to ask directions everywhere, like even where the clubhouse is. That just lets everybody know, 'Here's the new guy.'"
As part of the program, Cook worked out extensively with Todd Helton, Greg Norton and Terry Shumpert. Seeing the familiar faces in the clubhouse eliminated a lot of the usual awkwardness.
"I already knew them a little bit," Cook said. "It's kind of relaxing when they come up right away and let me know that they are backing me."
For Cook, the move to the rotation - even if it means facing MVP candidate Barry Bonds - makes him feel whole again. Cook never spent a day in the bullpen before joining the Rockies' relievers on Aug. 10. In a concession to his minor-league workload and his recent relief work, the Rockies will keep Cook on a pitch count tonight.
"I am not looking for him to throw into the seventh inning," manager Clint Hurdle said. "And I am not looking for him to throw a 100 pitches, either."
Though his parents and fiancee will not be in the stands as they were for his big-league debut, Cook said they would listen to the game on the Internet.
"To start out in the small town of Zebulon, N.C., and now be in Denver," Cook said, "it's been a nice, wild ride."
from ticker:
DENVER (TICKER) -- Aaron Cook makes his first major league start for the Colorado Rockies in the opener of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
Cook (0-0, 6.35 ERA) was recalled from Class AAA Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League on August 9 and made his major league debut in relief one night later against the Chicago Cubs. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Moises Alou, but then retired seven of the next eight. Cook has allowed four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings in four relief appearances. ADVERTISEMENT
The 23-year-old righthander began the season with Class AA Carolina of the Southern League, where he went 7-2 with a 1.42 ERA with 19 walks and 58 strikeouts. He was 4-4 with a 3.78 ERA in 10 starts at Colorado Springs.
On Monday, Cook faces a San Francisco lineup at full strenth. Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent returned Sunday and helped the Giants avoid a three-game sweep with an 8-4 victory over the Montreal Expos.
rockies notes
Double-A to Denver easy jump
By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Sports Writer
Monday, August 26, 2002 - There is nervous. There is anxious. And there is life as a rookie in the major leagues.
It's hard to underestimate how overwhelmed some kids feel when they walk into a big-league clubhouse. Suddenly, they are Radar O'Reilly in a room full of George Clooneys. Posters on their walls have come to life, forcing pterodactyls to flutter in their stomach.
The Colorado Rockies have noticed. That's why they have run a winter development program in Denver the past two seasons for top prospects, focusing on conditioning to dealing with the media. The goal is to remove the tingle when players are called up, leaving them more apt to contribute than be awestruck.
Aaron Cook, tonight's starter against the San Francisco Giants, participated in a scaled-down version of the program last winter at Coors Field, staying with a local host family. He thinks the experience helped make his rocket ride from Double-A ball to the Rockies nearly turbulence-free.
"I was familiar with the city from the offseason. I knew downtown and how to get to the ballpark," said Cook, who replaced Shawn Chacon in the rotation Friday after four relief appearances. "It really makes a difference when you don't have to ask directions everywhere, like even where the clubhouse is. That just lets everybody know, 'Here's the new guy.'"
As part of the program, Cook worked out extensively with Todd Helton, Greg Norton and Terry Shumpert. Seeing the familiar faces in the clubhouse eliminated a lot of the usual awkwardness.
"I already knew them a little bit," Cook said. "It's kind of relaxing when they come up right away and let me know that they are backing me."
For Cook, the move to the rotation - even if it means facing MVP candidate Barry Bonds - makes him feel whole again. Cook never spent a day in the bullpen before joining the Rockies' relievers on Aug. 10. In a concession to his minor-league workload and his recent relief work, the Rockies will keep Cook on a pitch count tonight.
"I am not looking for him to throw into the seventh inning," manager Clint Hurdle said. "And I am not looking for him to throw a 100 pitches, either."
Though his parents and fiancee will not be in the stands as they were for his big-league debut, Cook said they would listen to the game on the Internet.
"To start out in the small town of Zebulon, N.C., and now be in Denver," Cook said, "it's been a nice, wild ride."
from ticker:
DENVER (TICKER) -- Aaron Cook makes his first major league start for the Colorado Rockies in the opener of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
Cook (0-0, 6.35 ERA) was recalled from Class AAA Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League on August 9 and made his major league debut in relief one night later against the Chicago Cubs. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Moises Alou, but then retired seven of the next eight. Cook has allowed four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings in four relief appearances. ADVERTISEMENT
The 23-year-old righthander began the season with Class AA Carolina of the Southern League, where he went 7-2 with a 1.42 ERA with 19 walks and 58 strikeouts. He was 4-4 with a 3.78 ERA in 10 starts at Colorado Springs.
On Monday, Cook faces a San Francisco lineup at full strenth. Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent returned Sunday and helped the Giants avoid a three-game sweep with an 8-4 victory over the Montreal Expos.
