KA(ra)Z(matic) Rockies

It the play in game for the National League
Wild Card spot on Monday the Colorado Rockies
went into their half of the 13th inning down two
runs and facing a Hall of Fame closer in Trevor
Hoffman. It seemed all but over, and if they had
displayed the heart that the NY Mets showed in
September, let alone Sunday, it would have been.
But up stepped the man Mets fans wanted to get
out of New York so desperately, Kaz Matsui.

In his time in NY the fans expected so much, and
booed so loud when they didn't get it. Well maybe
it's that kind of attitude that drove the Mets to be
so tight in the end, because they seemed afraid of
their own shadows, and their lead off man Jose
Reyes, who know one will argue is truly one of the
bright stars of the game, was any thing but that.

Back to the Rockies though. Matsui led off with a
double, and set the table for a tremendous comeback
worthy of high praise. They made a single out and
scored three runs to erase their two run deficit,
The only out being the sacrifice fly that led to the
winning run. Now you can make a case that they were
destined to win that game, but you can't argue that
the spark that Kaz Matsui gave them just that, a spark.

A wise man once said be careful what you wish for,
you may get it. I have all too often learned that lesson.

Let us not forget that the the Rockies and Clint Hurdle
deserve praise for more than just last night. Down the
stretch the Rockies won 13 of 14 games and put themselves
in a position to be there Monday. Also worthy of note
is that going into the final three games of the season
they still had a shot at first place, but lost the only one
of those 14 games, and in the end made it 14 of 15 with
4 straight over a Padres team that although hurt couldn't
win one at home in a three game series. The Rockies
showed tremendous heart, and had fun along the way
GOOD FOR THEM !!!!! A truly well deserved spot in
the NL Playoffs. now let's see which of these two
juggernauts wins the Phillies Rockies match up.
Either w2ay, it should be fun.