The Don Speaks

Raise your hand if you were mightily ticked off when the Rockies’ owners, Dick and Charlie Monfort, raised ticket prices for 2012. Ok, looks like everybody. I think we have every right to be both upset and confused by this, considering the return we got on our investment last year was smaller than it’s ever been. I personally only bought one ticket to a game at Coors Field (a consequence of not living in Denver and seeing most of my Rockies games on the road), so I can’t say my wallet will really notice the difference, but on principle I’m still mad.

Cory Whitmer, who’s a much luckier blogger than me, actually got to take his concerns to the man himself. The baseball gods smiled on Whitmer, and he was able to have a phone chat with Dick Monfort that resulted in this article at Through the Fence Baseball.

So, I understand everything Monfort is saying about expenses. As a fan, I’m happy to do my part to contribute to those. I just want to know that my money is being used wisely. And that there is some accountability for those who misuse it. This article gave me some minor comforts. I’m glad Monfort sees some the same issues that we see. However, I’m confused as to why Whitmer didn’t bring up the T-word. I really need Monfort to answer for the job Jim Tracy did this year, and whether he thinks it was acceptable. Of course many of the players failed to live up to expectations, and others were injured. But Tracy was almost universally reviled for everything from poor management of the lineup and bullpen to an inability to motivate the players off the field. I held off on being too critical until August when Eliezer Alfonzo was given the clean-up spot. That was my final straw. And I don’t feel that those concerns have been acceptably addressed in the least.

Also, is that a subtle dig at Ubaldo Jimenez about halfway through? Not smart Dick. That wound hasn’t healed yet. Don’t rub salt in it. I’m still not entirely happy with you.