DUGOUT: Just another Rockies winning streak

Thanks to the 2007 baseball season, “Rocktober” is a word that will forever be etched into vocabulary of Colorado Rockies’ fans across the world.

It seemed unachievable at the time, but the Rockies pulled it off then and are trying their best to repeat one of the most remarkable and improbable runs in baseball history.

On Oct. 2, 2007, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter issued a press release declaring the month of October to be known as “Rocktober,” in honor of the incredible month of September baseball the Rockies played, where they won 13 games in 14 attempts to squeak into the playoffs by the smallest of margins.

In case you have forgotten this remarkable feat, let’s review: On Sept. 1 of that year, the Rockies had a record of 69-66 and were nowhere close to qualifying for the playoffs. Just one month later, however, the Rockies boasted an 89-73 record; enough to entitle them to a one-game playoff with the San Diego Padres, who were also vying for a Wild Card position.

That playoff game turned into a 13-inning marathon that saw 10 Colorado pitchers, a rare poor start from Jake Peavy, and an even rarer blown save from Trevor Hoffman.

The playoff run that resulted from that incredible month ended with the World Series.

Recently, the Rockies have done even better. Winning 18 of the first 23 games under new manager Jim Tracy, including a 16-1 streak, the Rockies are almost becoming relevant again. If the postseason started today they wouldn’t find themselves in it, but the Rockies are doing their best to revive playoff aspirations among their fans.

Major League Baseball’s players association will soon be forced to vote for a new leader. Donald Fehr, responsible for a cancellation of a World Series, the exponential rise in player’s salaries, and a slow approach on the steroid issue, said that he will step down no later than March 2010.

Although some may say his legacy is tattooed with steroids and syringes, Fehr was the one who did battle with MLB commissioner Bud Selig, and that was enough to endear him in the hearts of nearly every player.

Fehr is regarded as an excellent negotiator who was responsible for five labor contracts during his tenure as head of the players association.

Renowned for protecting his players, Fehr’s only major criticism was on the steroid issue. He was fiercely loyal to his players and did his best to delay any investigation he saw as unfair.

Injuries are spelling doom for quite a few teams this season, not the least of whom is the New York Mets. Nothing is going right for the Metropolitans, who seem almost as reliant on Johan Santana as the Cleveland Cavaliers are on LeBron James.

There have been so many injuries to the Mets it seems that they sport a new lineup every game. Hurlers JJ Putz, John Maine and Oliver Perez have also gone down with ailments, but the most recent addition to the disabled list could prove to be the most painful: Carlos Delgado will be out of commission for 60 days due to a bone bruise.

When I learned that Jose Reyes and his trainer were involved in a car wreck earlier this week (no one was seriously hurt), I almost became wiling to officially labell the team as “cursed.”

The Cincinnati Reds are another team struggling with injuries this year. Edwin Encarnacion, Edinson Volquez, and Joey Votto have all spent a large amount of the season on the disabled list, but their team is remaining competitive in the National League Central.

Just three-and-a-half games out of first place through Monday, the Reds sorely need some of their offense to return to the lineup. Votto, who was activated on Tuesday, will try his best to provide the Reds with the same offensive pop he boasted before going on the disabled list.

With a batting average of .357 to go with eight home runs and 33 RBI, Votto will return to first base as one of the best players in the National League.

The St. Louis Cardinals, with a record of 39-32 through Monday, are sitting atop the National League Central. There is little doubt as to why they have succeeded: they boast the best player in the league, as well as the best manager.

Albert Pujols is well on his way to a third MVP season, hitting .328/.445/.718 with a league-leading 26 home runs and 68 RBI. He is also leading the league in games played, runs scored, total bases, and intentional walks. The 29-year-old is an absolute monster on the baseball field.

Manager Tony LaRussa, wearer of two World Series rings, has efficiently led the Cardinals since 1996. He has brought six first-place finishes to St. Louis, including the 2006 World Series title.

The Cardinals may not have the most talent on the baseball field on any given night, but having the single best player and manager in the league force analysts to never leave them out of the playoff picture.

Andrew Kneeland will be a junior at Sahuarita High School. He is an intern at the Green Valley News.