azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Pat Rooney
Special for The Republic
Apr. 19, 2005 12:00 AM
DENVER - One season in the Mile High City was all Shawn Estes needed to overcome his fear of Coors Field.
Renowned for its hitter-friendly reputation, the thought of pitching at the Colorado Rockies' home field used to give Estes as many sleepless nights as any other pitcher in the league.
That changed last year, after Estes turned in the best season ever by a left-handed pitcher in Rockies history.
When Estes takes the mound today against his former team in the finale of a two-game series, the Diamondbacks hurler will do it without the dread most pitchers experience when they take the mound at Coors Field.
"It will be interesting coming out of the visiting dugout again," Estes said. "I remember in the past I used to dread coming in here to pitch. Now after pitching here for a whole season it doesn't bother me as much.
"I know what could happen here, and I've been able to compete and battle through some of those adverse games here."
Estes set a Rockies record for wins by a left-handed pitcher with a 15-8 mark last season. Estes has a 9-4 career record against Colorado and has allowed only one home run in his past 61 2/3 innings against the Rockies.
Estes picked up a win against the Rockies at home last Wednesday.
Royce's return
Estes isn't the only Diamondbacks player whose face is familiar at Coors Field.
Shortstop Royce Clayton enjoyed a personal and career resurgence last season during a one-year stint with the Rockies.
Clayton hit .279, his best mark in five seasons. Clayton also enjoyed the birth of his son, Royce Jr., just days before he signed a free agent contract with Colorado in January 2004.
"(Denver) is a beautiful town," Clayton said. "You don't realize how beautiful it is until you leave and come back. For me to have only one year playing here, it didn't seem like only one year. Looking back over my career, I'm sure I'll say it was one of the most enjoyable places to play. I started my family here, with my son being born. I think it will implant those fond memories."
Clayton left his mark on Colorado rookie shortstop Clint Barmes and particularly second baseman Aaron Miles - both have said they learned quite a few defensive tricks from Clayton.
"If the way I went about my job helped them mature as players, that's something I take a lot of pride in," Clayton said.
Peterson claimed
Right-handed pitcher Adam Peterson was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers on Monday, ending his brief stint with the Diamondbacks.
Peterson was designated for assignment Thursday to make room on the roster for former Rockies reliever Javier Lopez.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0419dbacksnb0419.html
Special for The Republic
Apr. 19, 2005 12:00 AM
DENVER - One season in the Mile High City was all Shawn Estes needed to overcome his fear of Coors Field.
Renowned for its hitter-friendly reputation, the thought of pitching at the Colorado Rockies' home field used to give Estes as many sleepless nights as any other pitcher in the league.
That changed last year, after Estes turned in the best season ever by a left-handed pitcher in Rockies history.
When Estes takes the mound today against his former team in the finale of a two-game series, the Diamondbacks hurler will do it without the dread most pitchers experience when they take the mound at Coors Field.
"It will be interesting coming out of the visiting dugout again," Estes said. "I remember in the past I used to dread coming in here to pitch. Now after pitching here for a whole season it doesn't bother me as much.
"I know what could happen here, and I've been able to compete and battle through some of those adverse games here."
Estes set a Rockies record for wins by a left-handed pitcher with a 15-8 mark last season. Estes has a 9-4 career record against Colorado and has allowed only one home run in his past 61 2/3 innings against the Rockies.
Estes picked up a win against the Rockies at home last Wednesday.
Royce's return
Estes isn't the only Diamondbacks player whose face is familiar at Coors Field.
Shortstop Royce Clayton enjoyed a personal and career resurgence last season during a one-year stint with the Rockies.
Clayton hit .279, his best mark in five seasons. Clayton also enjoyed the birth of his son, Royce Jr., just days before he signed a free agent contract with Colorado in January 2004.
"(Denver) is a beautiful town," Clayton said. "You don't realize how beautiful it is until you leave and come back. For me to have only one year playing here, it didn't seem like only one year. Looking back over my career, I'm sure I'll say it was one of the most enjoyable places to play. I started my family here, with my son being born. I think it will implant those fond memories."
Clayton left his mark on Colorado rookie shortstop Clint Barmes and particularly second baseman Aaron Miles - both have said they learned quite a few defensive tricks from Clayton.
"If the way I went about my job helped them mature as players, that's something I take a lot of pride in," Clayton said.
Peterson claimed
Right-handed pitcher Adam Peterson was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers on Monday, ending his brief stint with the Diamondbacks.
Peterson was designated for assignment Thursday to make room on the roster for former Rockies reliever Javier Lopez.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0419dbacksnb0419.html
