Notes: Sunny days for Cook
02/17/2006TUCSON, Ariz. -- In no way is this meant to make those dealing with snow and single-digit temperature in Denver jealous or anything. But Friday was cool enough that Colorado Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook needed to wear a sweatshirt while throwing and executing fielding drills at Hi Corbett Field.
Whatever the weather is in the desert, the point is Cook can finally enjoy it.
After his strong comeback from thoracic outlet surgery last season, Cook reported to Spring Training with the rest of the Colorado pitchers and catchers Friday with confidence, health and the reward of a new, two-year, $4.55 million contract. That hasn't been the case the last three years.
• In 2003, injuries to other pitchers forced the Rockies to keep Cook in their starting rotation even though they were convinced he wasn't ready. That proved true, as Cook pitched himself in and out of the rotation and in and out of Triple-A Colorado Springs en route to a 4-6 record with a 6.02 ERA.
• In 2004, Cook pitched well in Spring Training but it didn't matter, since the Rockies vowed to send him back to Colorado Springs to complete his development. When he earned his promotion, he proved he belonged before blood clots in both lungs struck him down in August.
• Last spring was the one that never seemed to end for Cook, whose rehab from a pair of surgeries to correct the clotting problem required him to stay in Tucson until June. Then it was a climb through the Minor League system on rehab assignments.
Finally, Cook can enjoy Tucson, even if it's cool and windy -- which, sorry, Denver, is the forecast for Saturday afternoon's initial workout for pitchers and catchers.
"I think any player will tell you once they've got a little security, it takes a little extra weight off their shoulders, and I think that's when guys start to perform better," Cook said. "You get your first guaranteed deal and you're not worried about what's going to happen day to day, not worried about getting sent down. You play baseball like it's a game and not like it's a job.
"I know I've still got to bust my butt as much as ever, but I can concentrate on getting ready for the season."
Cook battles fellow right-hander Jason Jennings for the No. 1 spot in the rotation. After going 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA in his 13 starts last season and demonstrating durability with two complete games and 10 "quality starts" -- six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs -- Cook will be depended upon to help reduce the workload of the bullpen.
"We've got so much territory in front of us that we don't want to get in front of ourselves, but he's healthy, he's in a good position mentally and physically -- the best position he's been in in a long time," manager Clint Hurdle said.
School days: In the corner of Hurdle's office was a stack of sweatshirts, T-shirts and baseball caps from universities in the Rocky Mountain region. He'll wear those during television interviews at Spring Training.
Hurdle has been a presence at the University of Wyoming, but he said he wants to "spread the love" to other programs.
Gang's (almost) all here: An informal workout for pitchers and catchers broke out Friday because nearly everyone was in camp. Hurdle said the club had made contact with players who had not arrived as of Friday, such as newly acquired catcher Yorvit Torrealba and pitcher Jose Mesa.
On the board: Jennings and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kip Wells each donated $50,000 to Baylor University, their alma mater, on a scoreboard project at the field where they played in college.
The current team thanked Jennings and other former Bears in the pros by beating them, 13-1, in an alumni game earlier this month. Jennings, who earned consensus collegiate Player of the Year honors at Baylor in 1999, started the game and didn't have much help.
"Two errors and two passed balls in the first innings," he said with a laugh. "Baylor guys were out there to play hard and win the game. We were still trying to get in shape."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
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