With The New Year Fast Approaching

In the Mountain Time Zone it is approximately 6 minutes until 2012 turns into 2013. As the New Year rapidly approaches, let’s take a quick look at some things to think about with our beloved Colorado Rockies.

The Colvin trade was definitely a good thing in 2012. Image: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

What went right in 2012, in no particular order: Jordan Pacheco, Wilin Rosario‘s power, Jim Tracy‘s departure (however foggy it may have been), the Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu trade, Dexter Fowler, the bullpen (especially Matt Belisle and Rafael Betancourt), the emergence of Josh Rutledge and Chris Nelson.

What went wrong in 2012: really, there is too much to list here. But I want to focus on one thing.

There were too many moments this past year when cheering for the Rockies wasn’t fun. Whether it was the truly abysmal quality of play or the front office making excuses or the coaches making excuses or the front office implementing such desperate courses of action that the Rockies became a laughing stock, this was the first time I can remember that I sometimes dreaded watching my absolute favorite team in all of professional sports. It either made me too mad or too sad.

That’s not right.

So whatever happens, whether this team improves or is just as bad as last year, I hope that one thing is true in 2013: every time I plop down on the couch to watch my favorite team, the Colorado Rockies, I will enjoy it. Remember, baseball emerged as the “National Pastime” because of the increase in leisure time for your average everyday folks. Baseball fandom as we know it started in those days because of increased leisure. 

Leisure…

…It’s supposed to be fun. If nothing else, I hope it’s fun to watch the Rockies this year.