Colorado Rockies: David Dahl on social media and his dog's Instagram

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DENVER, CO – MAY 09: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies hits a double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Coors Field on May 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Last season, as he recovered from a rib injury that kept him off a Major League roster for the entire campaign, Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl knew what was being said on social media about him. He knew the jokes about being “a ghost” and saw the snarky comments about his inability to get back on the field.

Sadly, it’s part of being a professional athlete in today’s day and age. Pick a social media platform and it’s easy for anyone to hide behind a profile picture that isn’t theirs or a user name that provides complete anonymity.

On the same day that Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta responded back to a Twitter user who asked him to “get a hit once in a blue moon,” I chatted with Dahl about his social media experience last season … and how it continues today.

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“It doesn’t really get to me too much,” Dahl said of the criticism lobbed at him when he goes through a struggle at the plate. “I had people asking me if I was ever going to play again. It sucks but you can’t really look into it. It’s just people hiding behind a keyboard. I just brush it off. I don’t respond.”

Yet for all of the times that social media can be frustrating for professional athletes, the bad behavior isn’t keeping Dahl and his fiancée from seeing a new Instagram sensation born in their golden retriever, Rookie.

How did it start and where is it going? I asked Dahl.

DENVER, CO – APRIL 25: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies scores on a Trevor Story sacrifice fly in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on April 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Since debuting on Instagram on March 3, Rookie The Golden Retriever has already gained over 4,600 followers. Including pictures of Rookie at Petco Park (why wouldn’t a dog be at Petco Park, by the way?), Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field and Coors Field, there are plenty of pictures on the account for dog lovers … and a healthy blend of sports personalities pictured as well. New Denver Bronco Bradley Chubb, New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola have been featured with Rookie.

It seems that Rookie is making his way around the sports world … and quickly into the hearts of Rockies fans.

“He’s awesome. My fiancée runs the account. She loves golden retrievers. I love them too, but she follows all of the big golden retriever accounts. All of the famous goldens,” Dahl explained. “We always wanted a golden and I finally got one. She wanted to make an Instagram account for him. She always says she’s funnier as a dog and she does a good job with it.”

One of the best videos on the site is Rookie listlessly laying on the couch until Dahl comes home from a game. Of course, the pup springs to life when Dahl enters the room.

“He’s a great dog. He makes everything better,” Dahl smiled. “It’s a great feeling, especially if you have a bad day at the field or didn’t have a great game. You come home to that and you kind of forget about what happened at the field.”

Dahl knows there could come a day soon when Rookie will have more Instagram followers than he does … and that’s OK.

“My fiancée wants to make him famous. He’s getting there,” Dahl said.

Rookie also has a fan in Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland, who often features his dogs (including a Golden) on his Instagram account as well.

“Dahl’s dog, he’s cute,” Freeland said. “He’s a fun little Golden and he’s going to grow up and look good.”

Next: A look back at Colorado's recent first-round draft picks

However, even puppy cuteness can’t keep some folks from making sure they get their message through to Dahl via his dog.

“One person did comment on Rookie’s Instagram, ‘Tell your dad to get a hit and I’ll give you some treats.’ That was pretty funny,” Dahl chuckled.

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Colorado Rockies: David Dahl on social media and his dog’s Instagram

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