We Earned a Banner for the Outfield Wall

The Rockies are going to the World Series.

Say that ten times.

It's just as sweet the tenth time as it was the first, isn't it?

Sign that Pennant Fever has, in fact, reached epidemic proportions: my wife logging onto mlb.com to check out stats.

It was only fitting that Tulowitski and Helton were the bookends for the play that clinched the series for us, sending 50,213 into a collective celebration this town hasn't seen since, well, maybe never. Tulo and Helton are the heart and soul of this team, each gladly alternating between heart or soul when necessary. One, young and naive enough to not realize that rookies aren't supposed to do what he does. The other, a classic veteran, for years content with simply playing hard in order to show the youngsters how it's done. Now they both get to play for baseball's ultimate prize, together.

Sign that Pennant Fever has, in fact, reached epidemic proportions: thousands of people in Denver who didn't know what a pennant was a week ago, do now.

Jayson Stark's column gives me goose bumps every time I read it. The reality of this whole thing is just too difficult to comprehend. What they did is incredible. How they did it is already legendary. Seldom does something achieve legendary status so soon afterwards, but, without a doubt, this is the stuff that legends are made of.

One of the most impressive tidbits during the celebration last night was that, to a man, the Rockies' players claimed that they have "unfinished business". Getting to the World Series is certainly worth celebrating, but it wasn't their goal. Their goal is, and always has been, to win it.

Sign that Pennant Fever has, in fact, reached epidemic proportions: Seth Smith is a household name.

One of the best things about this amazing run is witnessing the release of all Helton's frustrations that have piled up over the years. While being interviewed last night, Helton said,

I'm experiencing emotions I didn't even know I had.

This is a man we rarely see get emotional. We've experienced more emotion from him in the last month than probably the rest of his career put together. It's wonderful to see.

Mr. Byrnes, paging Mr. Byrnes. His mouth made it onto the flight from Phoenix, but apparently nothing else did.

Sign that Pennant Fever has, in fact, reached epidemic proportions: Brandon Marshall announced he will buy as many World Series tickets he can get and distribute them to Broncos' season ticket holders.

Four to go.

Until next time, Go Rockies!

Streak Extended in Grey Unis

It's completely mind boggling to actually stop and think about the fact that the Rockies are on the verge of making history with this "nice little streak', as Brian Fuentes termed it. It's even more mind boggling to contemplate the reality that the Rox are merely two wins away from representing the National League in the World Series. Just stop for a moment and let that sink in. Remarkable, isn't it? Jayson Stark provides the details of just how unusual and unprecedented this run is.

While the pitching in Game 2 maintained the slim lead until the ninth and was really solid, it was the defense that provided the majority of the highlights and truly won the game for us. I can't recall the defense being quite the focal point of any other game during this streak as it was last night. Willy Taveras' catch may be the biggest in this town since Mark Jackson.

Signs that Pennant Fever is approaching an epidemic: during Game 1, my wife and mother-in-law were discussing Francis' pitch count.

While enjoying the rewards of having so many very young players during the regular season, the Diamondbacks are experiencing some of the risks in this series. Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Chris Young have all made mistakes that they most likely won't make in a year or two.

The more I see Eric Byrnes, the more I'm glad he's no longer a member of the Colorado Rockies. His constant hustle is admirable, but his cartwheel throws and over-dramatizations are things I can do without.

Signs that Pennant Fever is approaching an epidemic: the Rocktober section of the daily paper is larger than the REST of the paper.

The Diamondbacks wearing their black shirts last night in order to keep the Rockies from wearing theirs has become one of the most unusual subplots of the 2007 playoffs (or any other for that matter). The TBS crew made a few comments regarding it, seemingly being careful not to make much of it one way or the other. The FSN gang ,during the post game coverage, didn't have to be careful, calling it an apparent act of desperation. Bernie Lincicome said it best:

When you play well enough to affect the other team's wardrobe, you have reached a special place.

Baseball players are notorious for being a superstitious bunch, but does anyone think that when the Rockies found out they couldn't wear the black shirts they panicked and said "Oh no, we can't wear our black shirts! What are we going to do?" Please. When asked about it after the game, Ryan Spilborghs responded :

Aw, gray, black. It doesn't really matter to us anymore. Right now, we'd wear pink if we had to.

Signs that Pennant Fever is approaching an epidemic: the sunsets are a brilliant shade of purple.

Six to go!!!

Until next time, Go Rockies!