It’s been truly a remarkable season down at 20th and Blake for the Colorado Rockies in 2017.
Actually, more accurately, it’s been an even more spectacular season away from Coors Field this season for the Rockies, sporting a .667 winning percentage on the road versus just .567 at home.
But nonetheless. Colorado’s off to one of what appears to be heading toward one of its best seasons in franchise history.
Through 66 games, the Rockies sit atop the National League West at 41-25, have spent 59 days in first place, and have trailed no further than one game behind the division’s top spot.
The club peaked (on Saturday) at 18 games above .500, finished April and May above .500 for the first time in franchise history, tied a club record for consecutive series without a series loss (9), and have never dipped below .500.
And it’s all come with arguably the team’s best hitter, Carlos Gonzalez, hitting .219 on the season as of Monday night and ace Jon Gray being on the disabled list since mid-April.
How have the Rockies done it?
“It’s all been a perfect match, kind of this confluence of factors coming together with a guy in Bud Black,” Denver 7’s Troy Renck said Monday as his guest hosted with “Schlereth & Evans.”
Black, along with pitching coaches Steve Foster and Darren Holmes, have guided a young pitching staff to the best road ERA (3.40) in the major leagues, a top 10 overall staff ERA (4.06), and a top 12 bullpen ERA (3.81).
Revamped closer Greg Holland has converted 23 of 23 save opportunities, and rookies Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland have won a combined 15 games to become the first rookie duo to win more than seven games through a team’s first 65 games in 80 years.
“They’re working in concert together with the maturation and blossoming of these young starters. That’s what’s made all of the difference,” Renck said of Black and his staff.
And Black deserves the credit for “the way he’s pushed the buttons,” Renck said, not only with the pitching staff but also managing to divvy up playing time between veterans Mark Reynolds, Ian Desmond, and Geraldo Parra.
“Black deserves credit. He’s clearly the NL Manager of the Year at this point,” Renck said.
However, if outgoing skipper Walt Weiss were still leading the team, would the results be the same?
Renck said Weiss would probably have a winning record, but “nowhere near this.”
“(Black) provides just this veteran — he’s almost like a politician — this steady influence in the dugout. When you go to his pre-game pressers and stuff, he’s so calm that you sense no panic, ever, with him,” Renck said. Because he’s been here. San Diego’s not the Yankees, but he’s been in these situations — with the Angels as a coach, as a player with the Royals.”
“And, so, I believe he’s the perfect man for this job. Right man, right time, right moment for the Rockies franchise.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
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