Sunday Notebook: Black vest vanquished, Road Rockies rebound and Grichuk's new groove

When Connor Joe stepped to the plate at Chase Field on Saturday night, he was wearing the typical gray road uniform of the Colorado Rockies.

Joe wore the purple jersey the previous night, the one that baseball fans around the country identify most with the franchise.

In just a few weeks, a new uniform will be unveiled as part of Nike’s City Connect series.

But in order to make room for this latest bit of marketing and branding, the black vests which so many love are being removed from Colorado’s wardrobe.

Thomas Harding of MLB.com first reported the news in his Rockies Beat newsletter, much to the chagrin of the fan base. 

The sleeveless jersey was initially introduced in 2005 before becoming iconic during the club’s Rocktober run to the 2007 World Series.

In many ways, it’s the look we associate with some of the greatest moments in Rockies’ history. 

When Matt Holliday dove face-first into home plate during Game 163 over the San Diego Padres to clinch a postseason berth, the black vest was there. Todd Helton’s exuberant reaction, arms outstretched, following the final out of the National League Championship Series over the Arizona Diamondbacks was another of those sleeveless scenes. 

It’s not crazy to think the vests will never return. However, the white pinstriped vest from 2005-11 is going on over decade since we’ve last seen it at Coors Field.

If you’re disappointed by the news, just know you’re not alone.

Sleeveless was always the one I liked best! Sad day.

— Josh Fogg (@Jfogg37) May 8, 2022

Road Rockies

Saturday’s comeback win in the ninth snapped a five-game losing streak on the road and moved the Rockies to a 16-11 record, tying them with the Cardinals for the fifth-best record in the NL.

The go-ahead RBI single by José Iglesias off DBacks closer Mark Melancon was the first at Chase Field since Drew Stubbs hit an opposite field home run in the ninth against Addison Reed on Apr. 29, 2014. 

The four-run ninth It was also the first time scoring four in the ninth in Phoenix since Sept. 19, 2009. Ryan Spilborghs and Yorvit Torrealba notched RBI-singles and Jason Giambi hit a three-run home run to extend Colorado’s lead.  

Grichuk Gets Glasses

Thursday’s series victory over the Nationals was aided by an insurance home run from Randal Grichuk in the seventh.

Less than 24 hours after that long ball, Grichuk appeared different when he took his position on Friday night at Chase Field.

It wasn’t a fresh shave or pants that went down to his ankles. He still had some well-groomed stubble and black socks hiked up above his knees.

Instead, it was a pair of glasses.

Grichuk felt his vision was fading and driving at night was more of a challenge than it should be for a 30-year-old, according to recent a conversation with Harding. 

In two games since donning the spectacles, he’s 0-for-8 with five strikeouts. Though a small sample size, he won’t have an opportunity to break the streak on Sunday as manager Bud Black has given the outfielder a day off. 

Diamond Details

• Before Sunday’s rubber match with the Diamondbacks, the Rockies recalled LHP Lucas Gilbreath while RHP Justin Lawrence was optioned to Albuquerque following Saturday’s game.
• Gilbreath has a 9.64 ERA over 4.2 innings pitched with the Isotopes, though much of that damage came in one outing. Over his last three games since April 30, he’s thrown 3.0 scoreless innings and struck out four while walking none.
• Colorado may not have worn the black vests this season, but they have every year since 2005. Here is the record over the previous four seasons in the sleeveless jerseys:
  • 2021: 7-19
  • 2020: 1-6
  • 2019: 17-19
  • 2020: 11-12