Baseball is heating up big-time, and the biggest story of the year, if not the decade, is the success of the streaking Colorado Rockies. A month ago -- a month ago! -- this team was in fourth place in its six-team division. They were given up for dead and out of the playoff hunt.
The Rockies went on to win 14 of their last 15 regular season games, and a one-game playoff versus the San Diego Padres to claim the National League wild-card in the playoffs. They beat San Diego to advance to the divisional series, and went on to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies in three games; then they swept the Arizona Diamondbacks, four games to none in the National League Championship series. They will face the winner of the Cleveland Indians-Boston Red Sox American League Championship series (Go Indians -- up 3 games to one!! My hometown team!!) in the World Series. The Rockies have won an unbelievable 21 of their last 22 games. But their greatest gesture was done with class and quietness.
Back on July 22, coach Mike Coolbaugh of the Rockies' Double AA minor league team, the Tulsa Drillers, was killed by a line drive to the head. It was a totally freak accident, as he was hit on exactly the right spot that could cause death. Its never happened in baseball before. Mike Coolbaugh was coaching first base when the tragic accident happened. Coolbaugh, only 32 years old, left behind a widow and two young sons. A revered coach with a passion for the game and its players was so senselessly lost.
The Rockies, in a gesture of pure class, defying this era of selfish and greedy athletes, decided among themselves to award a full share of playoff money to Mike Coolbaugh's widow. The players thought up the idea, and Rockies management had no vote or input in this decision. In baseball, teams that make the playoffs and advance can amass a "pool" worth in the millions. A typical playoff share may be worth as much as $400,000 per recipient. The minor league players and coaches do not make the big money like the major leaguers do. This share to Coolbaugh's widow should be meaningful as she raises her family.
The vote by the Rockies players was 25-0 -- all players voted yes. With stories of multi-million dollar contracts in baseball and other sports, this story needs to be told. Just 15 years old, the Rockies are not one of baseball's storied franchises. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers have massive payrolls, yet this team has come out of nowhere to capture the attention of the sports world. They certainly have captured the attention of Amanda Coolbaugh, Mike's widow. She is very deserved of the Rockies' tremendous generosity.
I have really taken a liking to this Rockies team, but if they face my beloved Cleveland Indians in the World Series ... ooh, a tough decision! Who do I root for?!!!
Georges Yared is the CIO of Yared Investment Research and the author of "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?"
Closing Bell: Economic Catapult for Thanksgiving & Black Friday (WMT, TGT, GRMN, GOOG, MSFT)
Deere up on Q4 earnings performance
Reid Hoffman: LinkedIn will go public (at some point)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2007 @ 6:40PM
Jeff said...
it is a great gesture and I am not undermining the significance to the recipient, but for the players this is nothing. Adding one additional person to a pot of what could be $10 million is only going to affect each players bonus by $15,384.
Given that the 2007 team salary is over $54 million, or on average about $2.176 million per player... I believe that they can spare $15 grand of the bonus, which is less then a percent of the average players salary.
I just don't understand the celebration of the wealthy giving away what they don't need and already have too much of... While this is magnificent for the recipient, it isn't much else then that.
2-16-2008 @ 12:18AM
Shunpei Harada said...
Dear Colorado Rockies:
Hello. My name is Shunpei Harada, and I’m a student at Kwansei Gakuin University in Sanda, Japan. I found your email address on Colorado Rockies website. I’m doing a research project on Baseball and Data Analysis, and I thought you might be able to help me. I’m sure you’re very busy, but could I ask you three questions? It won’t take long!
1. How much was data analysis useful for league championship of this season?
2. How did the data analysis change MLB?
3. When did your team use more detailed data analysis using computer?
Thank you! I hoe to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Shunpei Harada