[Newman]

Originally Posted by BigRapidsJackass

Newman, I like your idea. I'd still like to see Helton bat 2nd, but I think the fear of the doubleplay would stop anyone from doing that. You're right. He is Wade Boggs now. And there is absolutely nothing bad about having Wade Boggs in your lineup. Just stop pretending he's Stan Musial at this stage of his career and make the best use possible of his skills. He'll be at best a 16 HR guy this year, playing half his games at Coors ...

... and you're right about another thing. This franchise is so damn comfortable about playing one game over .500 that they'll never climb out of 4th place.

The September call-ups don't offer anything that could help us win games. No late-season veteran acquisitions. No Brett Tomkos or Joe Kennedys or even Jay Witasicks. Just the 5th coming of Omar Quintanilla and the 2nd taste of the majors for Juan Morillo so everyone can go "ooh, look at the power arms we'll have next year."

For everyone who says I've given up on 2007, my response is this: I've given up because, quite obviously, the Rockies have given up.

Looks like Clint is putting Helton in the number two hole. I still don't see how that helps us, if it keeps Taveras leading off. I wish Hurdle had the guts to copy LaRussa's tactics:

1. Helton 1B
2. Barmes 2B
3. Matt LF
4. Hawpe RF
5. Atkins 3B
6. Tulo SS
7. Ianetta C
8. Pitcher
9. Spilly or Posednik or Willy CF

Helton has the best on base percentage, right? Why not lead him off?

The problem with Taveras leading off, and then stealing 2B, is that it ignores the main problem - you can't steal first base!