Why a Game 163 on Monday Would Be Good For Everything Baseball

Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates after hitting a RBI double to give his team the lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 12th at Coors Field. Photo by Matt Dirksen |Rockies/MLB

AS CRAZY AS THE END OF THE SEASON CAN GET IN BASEBALL, IT CAN GET EVEN CRAZIER IF THEY ADD A ‘IF’ GAME TO THE REGULAR SEASON. HERE’S WHY IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR BASEBALL.

By Will Satler | wsatler@msudenver.edu | September 26th, 2018

COLORADO — It’s definitely a possibility. After the Rockies 10-1 win over the Phillies Tuesday night, they leapfrogged the Cardinals for the 2nd wild-card spot and pulled within a half-game of the Dodgers in the NL West after the Diamondbacks walked off on LA. With just 5 games left in the season for the Rox, if they continue to win-out (5-0, 2 more games against the Phillies and 3 against the Nationals) the worst they can do is play a game 163 in LA on Monday.

There are many confusing and random ways that not just one but two games could be added to the regular season for the MLB this season as it is still mathematically possible for a 5-team tie in the NL. We’ll keep it simple for your sake and mine, and talk about the many positive effects a game 163 could have for baseball if the Rockies and Dodgers tied for the NL West title.

Since LA holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rox, the theoretical game 163 would take place at Dodger Stadium Monday night. The winner would be crowned the division champ, a first in Colorado history, or a 6th straight for the Dodgers. The Rockies would most likely start youngster German Marquez (13-10, 3.91 ERA), who has been progressively getting better as the year has gone on. For the Dodgers, the projected started on a potential game on Monday would be Walker Buehler (8-5, 2.84 ERA) who had a strong first half, but while dealing with lower back pain, has struggled in the second half.

Colorado Rockies pitcher German Marquez (48) pitches during the evening at AT&T Park in San Fransisco against the Giants on September 15th. Marquez could be in-line to start in the case the Rox fall into a game 163 on Monday. Photo by Matt Dirksen | Rockies/MLB

Not only will an extra game add revenue from the conditional TV and ticket sales, but it would essentially serve as a ‘pre-playoff’ playoff game. Fans from all over the nation would tune in Monday night as two teams battled for a division crown. If we wanted to make this more fun, add in the Brewers and Cardinals in their own additional game 163 for a wild-card spot, with the loser getting knocked out of the playoffs.

Since 2007, there have been 4 different game 163s, most notably when the Rockies and Padres met at Coors for arguably the best game in MLB history and ironically when current Rox manager Bud Black, the manager of the Padres, fell on a controversial play at home featuring Rox outfielder, Matt Holiday.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday (7) signs autographs for fans before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 24th at Coors Field. Holliday was signed to a minor-league contract earlier in the season before recently being called-up to help the Rox’s post-season run. Photo by Matt Dirksen | Rockies/MLB

Whether we get a game 163 or not, there is not arguing whether the end of the 2018 season more specifically in the National League will be one we won’t soon forget. But hey, an extra day of baseball? Who’s complaining about that?

 

The Biggest Week in Colorado Rockies History Started Tonight

Colorado Rockies hitter David Dahl (26) looks on from the on-deck circle before his at-bat Friday night at Chase Field in Arizona against the D-Backs. Photo by Matt Dirksen | Rockies/MLB

BEHIND A BIG THIRD INNING AND A STRONG OUTING FROM JON GRAY, ROCKIES RETURN HOME AND PICK UP AN IMPORTANT WIN IN THE ROAD TO CLINCHING A PLAYOFF BERTH,

By Will Satler | wsatler@msudenver.edu | September 24th, 2018

COLORADO — It was over before the Phillies even knew it. It all started in the third inning when the Rockies’ centerfielder Charlie Blackmon singled and was later brought around to score on a Nolan Arenado single back up the middle. This was only the start of a big inning before Gerrado Parra came through again with RISP. Two more runs would come into score on walks in the inning and the Rockies never looked back.

Jon Gray once again looked like the Jon Gray we remembered from a dominant 2016 regular season. 7 strong innings put the Rockies in cruise control to glide past the Phillies and pick up the first of 7 important games to finish the season.

The math doesn’t favor the Rockies at this point, but if there’s anything this team has proved over the year, it’s to expect the unexpected. With just 6 games remaining at this point as they sit a .5 game back of the Dodgers in the NL West and a .5 game back of the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card, the Rockies must do good work as they take on both the Phillies and the Nationals at home at Coors Field to finish the season.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland (21) gives a fist bump to his manager, Bud Black (10) after a strong pitching performance from the lefty on Sunday in Arizona as the Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks, 2-0, ending the D-backs season. Photo by Matt Dirksen | Rockies/MLB

It started tonight with a strong start, a 10-1 victory over the Phillies. While it looks like the Brewers will take down the Cardinals which will help the Rockies climb within a .5 game of the 2nd wild-card spot, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers sit tied at 3 at this point. A win by the D-Backs would put the Rockies in a position to be back in the playoff picture, despite being counted out just a week ago after being swept by Los Angeles.

What we do know is that a strong week, which would include dethroning the Dodgers in the NL West would be a historic one for a club that was all but out. The starters for the Rockies is not clear after tonight’s scratch of Tyler Anderson although many think manager Bud Black will look to veteran Chad Bettis, who was moved to the bullpen at the tail end of the season after a rough start to the year. The Rockies will take on Vince Velasquez (5-11 4.59 ERA) the fire-throwing righty, who many of the Rox have no past success against.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Wade Davis (71) delivers to the plate Saturday night as he tries to close down the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Arizona. Davis would pick up his franchise record 41st save Sunday night as the Rockies ended up sweeping the D-Backs. Photo by Matt Dirksen | Rockies/MLB

Tomorrow will be another must-win game for the Rockies, as are the remaining 6 games. A win and they could be in the driver seat for a division title. A loss and they could be looking at an uphill climb. To September baseball, and the most amazing time of the year.

 

 

America Needs Journalists.

Photo Courtesy of @NSPA on Twitter.

THE COLORADO SUN LAUNCHES AT A VERY CRUCIAL TIME FOR JOURNALISM IN AMERICA WITH A TWIST ON JOURNALISM.

By Will Satler | wsatler@msudenver.edu | September 11th, 2018

COLORADO– Many people said the profession was dying. “Journalism is dead. Newspapers are dead. Nobody needs them anymore.” That was the common talk for months. It reached an all-time low on April 21st, 2018 at The Denver Post when the editorial board released an article calling for the owners of Digital First Media, controlled by Alden Global Capital, to sell the newspaper amid many budget cuts and job cuts. In an excerpt from an article by Nicholas Riccardi of The Associated Press, Editorial Page Editor Chuck Plunkett said,

“I was trying to follow good journalism ethics and I was not allowed to do it anymore.” Chuck Plunkett, former editorial page editor at The Denver Post said.

After 30 more layoffs on April 6th, the Post was left at a fraction of its size just a few years ago. Meet, The Colorado Sun. Anchored by editor Larry Ryckman and Dana Coffield, Senior Editor, The Sun took a leap a faith into unchartered waters in Colorado journalism. Teaming up with eight other reporters formally of The Denver Post as well as Civil, the blockchain-based economy that involves the direct, peer-to-peer exchange of value between journalists who report articles, make videos, record podcasts, and the people who read, watch, listen and support their work.

The Colorado Sun took an unconventional road to become what it is today and it has surpassed almost all expectations. Through a three-time weekly newsletter called The Sunriser, journalists at The Sun have quickly built a supporting audience as well as crushing Kickstarter goals for its startup support.

Just yesterday, September 10th, 2018, The Colorado Sun went officially live. Eric Lubbers, CTO/Newsletter Wrangler of The Sunriser released a statement in The Sunriser on its recent partnership with The Associated Press.

 “In one way, it’s just a Monday. But in a different, more exciting way, it’s the day we officially unveil both coloradosun.com and the journalism we’ve been working on all summer. One more quick and exciting thing to mention: We’re officially the first online-only news organization in Colorado to become members of The Associated Press.”  Eric Lubbers said, CTO/Newsletter Wrangler of The Sunriser.

What journalists at The Colorado Sun are doing is something we not only need to appreciate but follow strongly behind as well. In the dying age of ‘journalism,” the reporters at The Sun took a leap of faith, and not only have they become successful, but they have created a blueprint for what journalism will be in the future. In a video posted on his Twitter, Kyle Clark of NEXT with Kyle Clark on 9News, said, “We have some new competition, and this town is certainly big enough for the two of us – and anyone else doing important journalism in Colorado.” Clark acknowledges what The Sun is doing and it’s time that we all do too. Why? Because #JournalismMatters, and because America Needs Journalists.

The Importance of Professional Athletes in Sports

Photo by Keith Allison | Creative Commons 2.0

PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER LEBRON JAMES POSTS PHOTO ON INSTAGRAM WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE AS HE CONTINUES TO USE HIS PLATFORM FOR GOOD.

By Will Satler | wsatler@msudenver.edu | September 9th, 2018

COLORADO– “Progress over pride.” That was the quote of the day, the one that caught my eye while I scrolled down my Instagram timeline early Sunday morning. The quote came from one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Lebron James, better known as @KingJames.

Photo courtesy of @KingJames on Instagram.

James had posted a picture of two modern hip-hop stars, Aubrey “Drake” Graham, from Toronto and Robert “Meek Mill” Williams, in which the two were hugging during Drake’s latest concert on his “Scorpion” tour, despite their clouded past.

The quote featured in James’ caption leads for inspiration in all parts of life. Whether it is within relationships, leadership, or in this case, just friendship, this quote struck my mind today. It also shows the effect of athletes and their ability to shed light on things with their platform.

While some have been shown to take their platform and use it for the wrong reasons, an athlete like James uses his platform for good. Not only has James battled for political issues in interviews over the years including many jabs at current President Donald Trump recently, James built a school called the “I Promise School” in his hometown, Akron, Ohio.

It is important that these athletes continue to use their platform for good. Athletes like James and even artists like Drake who have a large impact on events that happen in sports today use their power for good and if they continue to do that, the world will become a better place.

 

BHS FALLS TO FOUNTAIN FORT-CARSON IN FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS

Victoria Hendricks dribbles around her defender from Fountain Fort-Carson High School during a game in the first round of the CHSAA 5A State Playoffs on Tuesday night. Hendricks provide 6 points for the Bulldogs off the bench. Photo By: Will Satler/ BHS Reflections

“I would not have asked for anything more for my senior year.”

Shayna Slorf said, as she looked back at her final season of high school basketball after her team was defeated, 57-48 by Fountain Fort-Carson in the first round of the CHSAA 5A State Playoffs. The Bulldogs season came to an end Tuesday night, but not before they racked up 15 wins on year, under the new direction of head coach, Jim French, who was given the job just 6 weeks before the season kicked off. The team finished the season winning 8 out of their last 10 regular season games, including a big win over rival Prairie View, 53-34, a testament to the growth French showed in his first year as the head coach.

“It’s been a great year, especially after I took the job only 6 weeks before season started,” French said. “We played good ball to end the year, winning 7 straight, but this is not the way we wanted it to end.”

The Bulldogs never got into a rhythm. Fountain Fort-Carson captured the lead early, and never looked back. For a short stretch in the second quarter, when Slorf caught fire from three, hitting three straight from deep, the Bulldogs held a small lead. It wouldn’t last long though, as a constant stream of turnovers gave the Trojans a chance to take the lead back. Those turnovers would come back to haunt the Bulldogs, as they would be evident all night.

“We weren’t working as a team at all and in the end, it showed when we didn’t come out on top in a game we should of won, without a doubt,” Slorf said.

The team struggled to get anything going on offense, something French says was a combination of troubles that struck the Bulldogs.

“We struggled tonight running the offense we wanted to run and I tip my cap to them [Fountain Fort-Carson] for knocking us off of our game. We weren’t protecting the ball and we weren’t as disciplined at times and that’s a direct refection of me,” French said.

Discipline was hard to come by for Brighton, as both Kaylah Lewis and Mackenzie Dent found themselves in foul trouble with two quick fouls in the first quarter. Fountain Fort-Carson took advantage of the abundance of fouls early on, holding a 27-22 lead at halftime despite not registering a made shot from the field for more than half the 2nd quarter. That defensive stand by the Bulldogs was one of the lone bright spots on the night.

“Our communication on the defensive end was clicking on all cylinders in the 2nd quarter and it kept us on track despite the fouls,” Slorf said.

While the team was clicking on defense, they couldn’t find the same rhythm on offense. Slorf had 22 points on the night and her teammate Lewis had 16. The 22 points she poured in on the night were a bright spot for the senior.

Shayna Slorf brings the ball up for her team in a game against Fountain Fort-Carson High School in the first round of the CHSAA 5A State Playoffs on Tuesday night. Slorf had 22 points in the Bulldogs loss. Photo By: Will Satler/BHS Reflections

“I tried my best to help out as much as I could and tonight it was especially nice to contribute,” Slorf said.

Slorf’s contributions didn’t go unnoticed by her coach who credits her shooting talents to her success.

“Shayna [Slorf] is a tremendous talent, a truly gifted shooter and whenever she gets any space, she’s going to knock it down for our team,” French said.

Despite Slorf’s hot shooting night, the Bulldogs weren’t able to pull out on top. Whenever the momentum seemed to switch, a turnover or foul would swing it right back over to Fountain Fort-Carson.

“I don’t think it was nerves or anything like that that got us into trouble tonight,” French said. “We’ve had some emotional games like the Prairie View game coming into this and some slow starts that we got back into so we were prepared, but we got into foul trouble and calls didn’t fall our way and it hurt is in the end.”

The Bulldogs trailed by only 3 points with 5:28 left and their season on the line, but they couldn’t get it done. Dent would foul out with 1:57 but by that time, the Trojans had taken over the game. It would be the end of high school careers for her, along with her teammates Slorf, and Angelica Mirelez.

“I’m super sad that it’s all over, my high school career, but everything this year went a lot better than last year without a doubt,” Slorf said as she choked back tears.

The loss brings the Bulldogs final record to 15-9 on the season which is an improvement from last year’s 12-12 campaign.

“For everyone involved, this has been a special year,” French said. ” I saw growth all throughout our program and I’m very excited to see what’s to come in the future for us.”