The Colorado Rockies have an elite reliever and he has an incredible story

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: Pitcher Scott Oberg #45 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on September 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: Pitcher Scott Oberg #45 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on September 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – JULY 15: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies hands the ball to Scott Oberg #45 as catcher Chris Iannetta #22 looks on during a pitching change in the eighth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Coors Field on July 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JULY 15: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies hands the ball to Scott Oberg #45 as catcher Chris Iannetta #22 looks on during a pitching change in the eighth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Coors Field on July 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

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Consistency and mentality is what it took for Oberg to finally fix everything that came with his high heater. Oberg became the whole package overnight to the outsider … but to the people on the inside, it was bump after bump trying to derail him from what he could be.

“I think he knew he was on the right track, but remained mentally tough,” Ottavino said. “I think he had a hard time for a while figuring out why guys were making contact and he adjusted from there. His breaking ball became more consistent too. He’s not a huge strikeout pitcher but to even get a few them can make a huge difference. Sometimes you can get a bunch of weak contact and they can all be hits and that’s a tough pill to swallow. To get a strikeout when you need it can be huge and he’s done that better.”

“It’s nice to bring all these things together and pitch the way I am right now,” Oberg explained. “I’m really happy with where I’m at.”

It’s hard to imagine some of the physical things Oberg has overcome to make this story a happy one. Any of the anecdotes in this story that helped paint this picture could’ve derailed the career and life of a lesser player or person. It speaks largely to Oberg and his adversity and even the Colorado Rockies for their loyalty.

The world knows who Scott Oberg is. They can watch him down-the-stretch as one of the most important players for the Rockies as they attempt to capture their first NL West crown. It’s a story that at so many turns could’ve ended with a “what could’ve been,” instead of what the world now knows.

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