DENVER – Ian Desmond has played in three postseasons so if there’s anyone to heed advice from about baseball in the Colorado Rockies rather inexperienced clubhouse it might be the 31-year-old.
As he stepped by a few reporters pregame on Wednesday he kept an on-running joke going and added a new wrinkle, “Keep it simple, don’t try to do too much.”
Desmond’s joke was cute in-context but manager Bud Black 20 minutes later applied that philosophy for his club as they embark on their first meaningful stretch run in six years.
“As magnified as this will become and we’ll all be talking about it, they will just need to simplify it as much as they can and keep the focus on the field of play and not try to do too much,” Black, the 38-year big leaguer said. “That’s overplayed so much, but it’s the way to go about it. As coaches and hopefully, the veterans can help keep the starting pitchers in a good drama of mind, relaxed and confident things that will enable them to max pitches.”
While pitching has been a focus of many as the Rockies rotation has been largely composed of players younger than 25 this season that’s not really Black’s concern. Black’s excitement is higher than that of any concern.
“The general feeling is when you come to the park it’s a different feeling, it’s a different feeling, it’s the feeling you want,” Black said. “As you go through each day of the last month. You guys will even feel this from you chair watching games, every pitch becomes critical, especially as you get deeper into September. That’s what’s fun man, that’s what’s fun. And the feeling when you’re in your car or walking over to the park, it’s a different feeling, it’s awesome.”
Black did add a small caveat about his starters but not much of one.
“It’s uncharted waters for these guys but they’re humming,” he said. “This is great.”
The first year Rockies skipper got even more personal about the attitude within the Rockies’ clubhouse when talking about a Denver native rookie stud.
“These guys haven’t been through this will be great for them. They’re super pumped,” Black said. “How about Freeland? Are you kidding me? He’s from here. Shit, he’s excited. This is his favorite team and he’s in September pitching in the rotation.”
The Rockies currently have a playoff spot by four games coming into Wednesday’s action and only trail Arizona by two for hosting a one-game Wildcard. With The Diamondbacks slated for a three game set in Colorado over the Weekend, Black only had this to say:
“This is what all teams hope for, being perennial contenders and that’s what we hope to become,” he told. “We’re in it this year, it’s great for our group, the organization, the city and the fans. Speaking for our group, we’re pumped. There’s a lot talk in the clubhouse about what’s going on.”
It’s that basic. Keep it simple in September and hope your club soars in the standings.
