Well, it's finally here. After a winter wondering about humidors and whether Colorado Springs would keep a team, it's now opening day. We have a humidor and a two-year extension with the Rockies. Sounds great. Of course, the Gazette seems to thing we are going to have a great season on the field too: Offseason additions make Sky Sox a contender for PCL crown - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO.
Personally, I don't know how anyone who knows the relationship with the Rockies and history can say the Sky Sox are going to contend for the crown. I mean the last time they made the playoffs (let alone won in the playoffs) was 1996 when they were swept by the Phoenix Firebirds. That's right, the Diamondbacks hadn't even played a game yet. Shoot, the Sky Sox have the longest streak of not making the playoffs in Minor League baseball, but yet the local paper has us "contending".
Now, I don't mean to be a downer on the Sox opening day, but let's be serious. The Rockies have made it very clear Colorado Springs isn't their favorite affiliate. Tulsa will get the prospects, especially the pitching prospects until they are ready for Denver. With the Rockies rotation including Jaime Moyer and a group of young, inexperienced starters, I'm seeing a lot of pitching movement during the season. (Let's see if we can avoid future stories like this.) Inconsistency in the rotation in Denver means emergency starters in Colorado Springs and Tulsa. Emergency starters in Colorado Springs usually means Sky Sox losses.
Moreover, the schedule, while wonderful for fans of summer baseball, is going to be tough on the Sky Sox starting out. Twenty of the first 28 are on the road and 28 of the first 40 games the humidor won't be in play. If after those first 40 games the Sky Sox are still above .500, I'll start thinking about September baseball. Until then, I'm hopeful, but not optimistic.
Tonight, the Sox send Christian Friedrich to the mound against Reno. The game is televised on MiLB.tv and is on http://www.sportsanimal1300.com/
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