The Humidor Effect
Tonight Matt and Mud arrive in Colorado for their first look at Coors Field in 2007. If you watched any of the broadcasts from Denver last season, you probably heard about how scoring was down dramatically at "Coors Canaveral" in 2006. While this might be a welcome change for the guys in the booth, the sudden drop in scoring seemed rather suspicious. Conventional wisdom shifted blame to the humidor which is run by Rockies engineer Anthony Cowell. Even a quick glance at last year's numbers tell an interesting story about the Rockies pitching staff.- There were 12 shutouts at Coors Field in 2006 between the Rockies and their opponents. The previous high was 6 shutouts in 1997
- The Rockies posted their best team ERA in franchise history in 2006 with a 4.66 ERA.
- Three of the six best seasons by Rockies pitchers (measured by ERA) came in 2006.
Cirillo, who played two seasons in Colorado pre-humidor, agreed the Rockies have better pitching now, "but at the same time, does that mean the rest of the league has better pitching, also?" Cirillo suggested shenanigans with the humidor could account for the dip in scoring and the decline in home runs at the ballpark that used to be known as "Coors Canaveral" for all the baseballs that were launched into the seats. "The other thing, too, is what if the Rockies get behind by a lot of runs in a game? Say they break out the non-humidor balls, you know
what I'm saying?" Cirillo said.
- AP - Aug 2, 2006
After these comments, scoring returned to normal levels at Coors Field
- In the 54 games before Cirillo's comments, teams playing at Coors averaged a combined 8.96 runs per game
- In the 27 games after Cirillo's comments, teams averaged 14.25 combined runs per game
Seems a little suspicious doesn't it? And it brings up a greater question about the humidor. Is it necesary to alter the baseballs in Colorado to reduce the effect of the altitude on the game? Be sure to leave your opinion in the comments section as we'll be tackling this issue all series long.
16 Comments:
I'm with cirillo on this, it sounds a bit fishy.
By Maico, At April 20, 2007 7:16 PM
SD is teeing off!!
By Maico, At April 20, 2007 7:23 PM
Let me just say that right when I heard "a-bomb" that I was pretty surprised, and I'm a young guy. We're talking about thousands and thousands of people dead due to the actual atomic bomb. It's not right, plus the Yankees suck. Tell Mud to do some impersonations, he only gave us a taste of the Uncle Teddy stuff. It's a blowout here, I need MORE.
By myinnerself, At April 20, 2007 8:26 PM
Not related to the humidor... but in line with Matty's 'Another A-Bomb for A-Rod' comment I'd take a 'SANTA MARIA!' Any day of the week.
By Jon B., At April 20, 2007 8:40 PM
Also, I can't believe that no one has noticed the fact that Todd Helton with the beard looks JUST like the late, great Ken Caminiti. Seriously, dead on.
By myinnerself, At April 20, 2007 8:58 PM
Not a Yankee fan in the least, but Matt commented tonight how upset he is that the Yankee Broadcasters use the term A-Bomb when A-Rod hits a homerun.
Thoughts: Matt needs to start wearing his Man-pon more often. How about a movie on the Lifetime Channel or better yet a shopping spree for some new linens with Mud.
Back to baseball...
By The Hoch, At April 20, 2007 9:16 PM
finally mike cameron gets going a little bit. He is a key hitter in this line up and i hope he can keep it going.....now all we need is our kouzmanouf rally hats on. lets get this guy going today as well.
By tkoehler44, At April 21, 2007 5:44 PM
o.k. kouzmanouf is swinging at everything. in the dirt, outside. doesn't matter. it looks like this guy is really confused at the plate. we traded josh barfield for WHO ???? I have to agree with the radio talk show today...i'm really concerned about this guy!!!! will he ever get going???
By tkoehler44, At April 21, 2007 5:48 PM
Matt:
If you are looking for that Billy Martin card with the 'finger', I have one for you. I never noticed that before with his 'finger' on the bat.
Ron
By playbaseball, At April 21, 2007 6:15 PM
As Matt and Mark have pointed out...all that humidoring hasnt' gotten them out of last place.
Myinnerself...don't kid yourself..you might not like the yanks but they def dont' suck
By sam, At April 21, 2007 6:19 PM
Don't know where to post this but about the 72 Billy Martin card, there are a bunch of them on ebay, from 99 cents to 4.50. Linda
By lrahlfs, At April 21, 2007 6:32 PM
No, its not necessary to alter the conditions at Coors. Just like we deal with at Petco, where runs are hard to come by, Coors is a hitters fest. Let the conditions remain the way they NATURALLY are.
By Adam, At April 21, 2007 6:46 PM
Did a search under google images for "Billy Martin finger baseball card" ... it's archived.
Matt can see it...
By Rick, At April 21, 2007 7:23 PM
I think they are getting ready to send Kouz down to Portland when Bard comes back off the DL. Taht way, KK can get his swing back with less pressure and come back when he is hot.
By PoliSciProf, At April 22, 2007 12:43 PM
Also, Mark caught LaTroy Hawkins doctoring up the ball every tinme he got a new ball. I noticed that the one time he didn't, he gave up a double. Maybe he is tipping his pitches. Anytime he plans on throwing something that needs movement, he scuffs the seams. Any time he is going to throw gas, he doesn't? Maybe someone who knows should look into that.
By PoliSciProf, At April 22, 2007 12:46 PM
Love the Bro-Bi phrase! It sounds funny when Matt & Mud say it, but it's a pretty clever way to keep referencing just what a special thing it has to have brothers on the same team who also are batting in order.
By Will B, At April 24, 2007 8:25 PM
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