I like it when a topic comes up on a last minute’s notice… So let me get to the root of the subject
From the clubhouse
I guess it’s no secret that the Rockies have signed Jamie Moyer to a minor-league deal (Spring Training invite). And already the critics on both sides are out.
The critics are out because of his age: he’s 49 years old, and wants to pitch again, after being sidelined in 2010 due to Tommy John surgery. He had an open scouting session session last year to try to prove to teams that he can still pitch. Sadly, no one cared, and maybe 2 media organizations (ESPN was one) showed up. Everyone pretty much sluffed him off probably because he’s “too old”.
In a day when younger is better, people liken age more as beer instead of wine. Nobody likes skunky beer. Even Budweiser dresses its beer with a “born on date” instead of an expiration date (Thanks Mr. Foam Finger Vendor Man™) But even a brief chat with Brian (@gorox1983), 40 seems to be a magic number for most sports, as it seems to be, according to his tweet:
@druidlove yeah… and the MLB and the NHL are much more likely to have a 40 year old player than the NBA or the NFL..
— Brian Smith (@gorox1983) January 19, 2012
Yeah, it’s true that baseball is likely to have 40 year olds, especially since it’s not as intense of a sport as football. (And with the DH, that argument makes it easier… but it’s another topic.) So, you can imagine I’ll feel sad the day Todd Helton retires. He has been as famous of a Rockies landmark as the Statue of Liberty is to the US. 
So when our oldest pitcher to date hasn’t turned 28 (with JDLR in the mix), the need for some veteran experience helps. And I like the minor-league deal because even if Moyer isn’t really up to it in the majors, having him in the Springs isn’t a bad thing either.
Speaking of age, I was glad to hear Dan O’Dowd say on Monday that Nolan Arenado will not be starting on the Rockies in the beginning. His reasoning makes sense: he was concerned with the maturity of the player. Maybe he has the stuff to come up, but he didn’t want to move up Arenado early if he isn’t mentally ready, and I think that’s wise. You just don’t move a player from high-A to MLB. I think there are 3 players on the Rockies that probably suffered from being promoted so soon… and as a result, don’t have any options left.
Talking with Cari, she felt her team is getting younger–the team is migrating towards “babies”. I see the same with the Rockies. Sure, we’ve moved players to the majors from AA (Fowler, Tulowitzki). But they have the long term talent and maturity to survive. Not everyone is mature enough to start in the major leagues.
So, while youth is better, the experience helps. A balance of both helps even mediocre teams on paper become leaders.
Today’s tweet brought to you thanks to Cari (@carisports) and Brian (@gorox1983)
Whose house? Our house!
Before I continue, news broke on Monday just after I blogged that Seth Smith agreed to a 1 year dear, avoiding arbitration. Then hours later, he went to Oakland for 2 pitchers: Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman. Okay, I think our pitching situation is done.
I was happy to hear this tweet from Kirsten (@sillychurro2) and Troy Renck (@troyrenck):
“@TroyRenck: Here’s link to Tulo and Helton video from #Rockies‘ media access today: bit.ly/ygOQVq”
— Kirsten Sandefur(@sillychurro2) January 19, 2012
And… it’s only 30 days till Spring Training (Pitchers & Catchers report). Baseball is in the air.
Sliding Home
I couldn’t resist this tweet from Brian, who managed to bring sports and politics in a classic tweet:
these refs can go to hell along with the SOPA
— Brian Smith (@gorox1983) January 19, 2012