One of 2012's most exciting games, according to the Hardball Times, was one in which the Colorado Rockies won. Take a look:
Besides being an exciting game ended by a walkoff home run, I believe that the May 2nd win was very much a turning point in the Rockies 2012 season. The 8-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers brought the Rockies record to an even .500 at 12-12. Unfortunately, it would be the last time the Rockies could claim such a high winning percentage.
After the win on May 2nd, the Rockies lost seventeen of their next twenty-two games. By late May, it was painfully clear that the 2012 season was going to be a rough one. Though the month ended with a four game sweep of the lowly Houston Astros, that series saw the end of Troy Tulowitzki's season.
Early June was marred by an eight game losing streak. Three days after it ended, the unorthodox four-man/piggyback rotation was instituted. The remainder of the season dragged along, with the Rockies falling farther and farther away from a winning record.
Just what about that game on May 2nd caused such a dramatic change in the team's performance? Sure, it would easy to say that it was about a month into the season, and that is when the injuries and lack of pitching talent started to take a big toll on the team. That would probably be correct and the most logical reasoning.
But let's look deeper, shall we?
I believe that one specific play from the May 2nd game might be to blame for the Rockies horrible season. If you're sharp, you probably spotted it in the highlights above. In case you didn't, here it is:
Did you see it there? A horrible call let Todd Helton get away with the "neighborhood play" to retire Jerry Hairston and end the top of the 6th inning. Donnie Baseball argued the call to no avail, and the Rockies went on to beat the Dodgers and their ace, Clayton Kershaw.
Poor calls happen often in baseball, and one team always benefits. But something about the Rockies benefiting from that specific call didn't feel right. I was happy that the Rockies eventually won and evened their record, but that call still didn't sit well with me. I immediately took to this very blog to publicize the fact that it was a botched call.
Looking back on it now, it's clear how quickly the team's fortunes fell to pieces after that game. Starting with the very next game, the season went down the tubes. Talk about injuries and bad pitching all you want (as you probably and rightfully should), but I don't think it was a coincidence that the blown call happened immediately before the team collapsed.
No, because the Rockies took advantage of such an obvious umpiring blunder, the fates of baseball clearly sided against the team for the rest of the year. Curses are very real in baseball. A blown call leading to a season of futility is not that far fetched.
What do you think? Are there any conspiracy theorists reading this? If so, remember that wearing tin foil on your head actually makes it easier for the government to read your thoughts.
I believe that one specific play from the May 2nd game might be to blame for the Rockies horrible season. If you're sharp, you probably spotted it in the highlights above. In case you didn't, here it is:
Did you see it there? A horrible call let Todd Helton get away with the "neighborhood play" to retire Jerry Hairston and end the top of the 6th inning. Donnie Baseball argued the call to no avail, and the Rockies went on to beat the Dodgers and their ace, Clayton Kershaw.
Poor calls happen often in baseball, and one team always benefits. But something about the Rockies benefiting from that specific call didn't feel right. I was happy that the Rockies eventually won and evened their record, but that call still didn't sit well with me. I immediately took to this very blog to publicize the fact that it was a botched call.
Looking back on it now, it's clear how quickly the team's fortunes fell to pieces after that game. Starting with the very next game, the season went down the tubes. Talk about injuries and bad pitching all you want (as you probably and rightfully should), but I don't think it was a coincidence that the blown call happened immediately before the team collapsed.
No, because the Rockies took advantage of such an obvious umpiring blunder, the fates of baseball clearly sided against the team for the rest of the year. Curses are very real in baseball. A blown call leading to a season of futility is not that far fetched.
What do you think? Are there any conspiracy theorists reading this? If so, remember that wearing tin foil on your head actually makes it easier for the government to read your thoughts.
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