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Rockies Journal: Young players scoff at “hilarious” negative predictions, but Rox have much to prove

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Rockies Journal: Young players scoff at “hilarious” negative predictions, but Rox have much to prove


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One of the most striking things about Rockies spring training this year is the confidence of the young players.

They’re carrying a giant chip on their shoulders.

Given the team’s track record, that’s pretty remarkable. And given that the Rockies are coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons and the worst offensive performance in franchise history, you’ve got to admire their chutzpah.

Maybe it’s a good sign for the Rockies’ future. Maybe.

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Several players — including Colorado’s two stars, center fielder Brenton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar — quietly told me the team could surprise people.

Outfield prospect Zac Veen said it loudly and boldly. Veen, the ninth overall pick of the 2020 draft, is still waiting to make his big-league debut. So take Veen’s words with a giant grain of salt.

Veen has seen the dire predictions about the 2025 Rockies. The latest: according to Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA projections, the Rockies have a 0.0% chance to reach the postseason and predicts that the Rockies will win 55.5 games.

“I think it’s hilarious,” Veen said. “I mean, when we look at each other, we know we are going to be good … pretty soon. I think the team is already good with the guys we already have on it and the (players) we have brought in.

“I think the younger guys just laugh at all of the stuff we read and all of that. I think we all know we are going to be good.”

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And Veen wasn’t done.

“I think we have the best and most underrated team in the league,” he said. “I’m a baseball junky and I look at every team and everybody. I can confidently say that there are guys on this team that deserve way more credit than they get.”

First baseman Michael Toglia is also bullish on the Rockies. Never mind that the Rockies’ 179 home runs last season ranked 15th in the majors, and their 1,617 strikeouts were the second-most in the majors and the most in franchise history. Toglia said the Rockies have players who will generate desperately needed power.

“If we are going to win in Denver, I think we need to get back to being the Blake Street Bombers,” Toglia said. “I think we need to do damage, so that when teams come to Coors Field they need to fear our lineup. I think we have the pieces to do that.”

Delusional? False hope?

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Or a realistic vision of the team’s future?

Rockies fans would love for the Kid Rox to be right. Owner Dick Monfort is crossing his fingers that the Rockies will turn things around after six consecutive losing seasons.

All signs point to the team improving this season. Their starting pitching, at least on paper, is deeper than it’s been since 2018. The bullpen has firepower and talent, even though it’s untested.

The defense should be golden. Tovar, Doyle and Toglia are terrific fielders, and so is third baseman Ryan McMahon.

But so many things must improve for the Rockies to escape the basement in the tough National League West, let alone post a winning season.

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Here’s the most basic must-do list:

• Start winning more on the road. Colorado doesn’t need a winning record on the road, but its .331 winning percentage over the last six seasons has given it no chance of sniffing a winning record.

• Win big at home. The Rockies went 37-42 (.468) at Coors Field in 2024, the fifth-worst home record for a full season in franchise history. It was just the 10th time in franchise history the Rockies finished with a home winning percentage under .500. That has to change.

The Rockies have made the postseason five times in 32 seasons, and their combined home winning percentage during those seasons was .602.

• Cut down on the Ks. The Rockies’ 24.1% strikeout rate over the last six seasons is the highest in the National League.

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• Hit more home runs. Colorado’s 960 homers since 2019 ranks eighth in the majors. That’s not nearly good enough given that the Rockies play their home games at Coors Field.

• Pitch much, much better. In the post-humidor era (since 2001), the Rockies had a 4.35 team ERA in four playoff seasons. Over their last six losing seasons, the ERA is 5.37.

The Rockies are improving, and this season’s team should be more exciting. While I applaud Veen’s optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to speak out, they’re just spring training words until the Rockies start winning.

Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.

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Game Thread: Denver Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings. December 11th, 2025. – Denver Stiffs

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Game Thread: Denver Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings. December 11th, 2025. – Denver Stiffs


Community Guidelines

Welcome to Denver Stiffs! We’re glad you’re here.

Denver Stiffs is a community where sports fans from all backgrounds gather to share their passion. We strive to create a fun and welcoming place for everyone to come fan with us. These guidelines help ensure that happens. Here’s the short version:

  • Be respectful in your interactions with contributors and fellow fans.
  • Don’t be a jerk, and don’t call other people jerks.
  • We’ll remove anything we see that jeopardizes our communities.
  • We ask that you do your best to keep the conversation to sports and primarily our favorite NBA team. Why? Because there are plenty of other sites where you can air your opinions about everything from politics to soup recipes.
  • You can help with that. If you see something that doesn’t align with our guidelines, let us know. Flag any comments or usernames that violate our guidelines so our community managers can review them.

These rules extend to our communities everywhere: in our comments, on social media, and in real life.

We do not allow any of the following:

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  • Personal attacks: This includes name-calling, insults, threats, hurtful comments about someone’s appearance, voice, or style, and all other forms of attacks. We want our communities to be welcoming and fun. Personal attacks are the opposite of that.
  • Attacks on staffers: It’s fine to critique a post, disagree with a take, or point out errors. We draw the line, however, at personal attacks (see above) about writers, editors, moderators, etc.
  • Discriminatory or derogatory language: This includes racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or other forms of discrimination.
  • Harassment: This includes, but is not limited to, intimidation; stalking; unwanted photography; inappropriate physical contact; use of sexual or discriminatory imagery, comments, or jokes; and unwelcome sexual attention.
  • Wishing harm on athletes: Don’t root for an injury, don’t root for harm to befall a coach or athlete. You can want someone to get fired or released, but please do not hope for bodily harm.
  • Misinformation and disinformation: Sharing demonstrably false information about news or world events, beyond the scope of reasonable sports opinion or analysis, can be harmful to our communities. These comments will be removed and may result in a suspension or a ban.
  • Illegal activity: Don’t promote, encourage, or make light of any kind of illegal activity, including DUIs, domestic violence, or sexual assault.
  • NSFW images and comments: Keep it PG-13, or you will be removed. This includes language and images that are sexual, violent, or generally offensive in nature.
  • Excessive profanity: Fans get worked up on game days, and we’re fans, too. We understand that. As a general rule, keep profanity to a minimum. Some communities prohibit profanity, so be sure to review guidelines for the individual communities you participate in.
  • Multiple accounts and throwaway emails: These are a signal that you’re not interested in being a productive member of our communities, and we do not allow it.
  • Trolling: We know it when we see it, and we’ll remove it. Don’t go to a rival team’s community for the sole purpose of riling up their fans, either. Moreover, you should never publish any private or personally identifiable information. Doxxing is strictly prohibited.
  • The “first post” rule: If you break any of these guidelines with your very first post or interaction, it signals to our community managers you’re just here to be disruptive. Violators may be banned, blocked, or removed.
  • Spam: We have a zero-tolerance policy on spam, which includes sharing links to illegal game streams or downloads. Spam will be deleted and spammers may be banned, blocked, or removed. 
  • Political commentary: Denver Stiffs is a site dedicated to the Denver Nuggets, not politics. There are many sites available on the internet to discuss politics, Denver Stiffs is not one of them. Please refrain from any political commentary while using our site.

Anyone who doesn’t follow these rules when engaging in our communities will at best be removed from the conversation, and at worst will end up banned from that community. These decisions will be made at the discretion of our community managers and other Mile High Sports personnel. Community managers and moderators have final say on interpretation of violating our community guidelines, and on all decisions resulting in a warning, suspension, and/or ban.

If you see any of these things happening in our communities, please flag it and it will be reviewed. You can also reach out via our contact page.



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Things To Do In And Around Denver This Weekend – 12/11-12/14 – 303 Magazine

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Things To Do In And Around Denver This Weekend – 12/11-12/14 – 303 Magazine


When: Dec 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Fight Club – 1959 16th St Mall Denver
Cost: Price varies
The Lowdown: 

Guests have the option of $39 bottomless flatbreads, which includes the price of their oche reservation for Social Darts®. The bottomless flatbread menu features Smoked Salmon Flatbread, Four Cheese Flatbread, Breakfast Flatbread, or Garden Vegetable Flatbread. Guests can also order off the á la carte menu, which includes a fresh-cut fruit plate, breakfast sliders,, avocado toast, and Flight Club’s famous churros.





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Louisiana child rape suspect arrested in Denver

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Louisiana child rape suspect arrested in Denver


DENVER (KKTV) – A man out of Louisiana suspected of child rape is now in custody in Colorado.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force said they arrested 43-year-old James Connolly Tuesday morning in Denver.

The U.S. Marshals Service said Connolly was wanted by West Baton Rouge Parish deputies for first-degree rape of a child under 13 years old.

According to the U.S. Marshals, a full-scale investigation into the allegation was launched, and probable cause was found to file charges.

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After an arrest warrant was issued on August 12, they said Connolly was likely aware of the warrant and had fled the state.

On Monday, officials reportedly received information that he could be in Denver. The next day, the U.S. Marshals Service said the Colorado Violent Offender Task Force found Connolly working maintenance for a company near I-270 and York Street in Denver under the name “Alli” with a changed physical appearance.

Officials said Connolly was then positively identified and taken into custody.

“The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals in Baton Rouge, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force – Denver, West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Englewood Police Department, and Colorado Department of Corrections,” the U.S. Marshals Service said in a release.

He’s currently in the Adams County Jail pending extradition back to Louisiana.

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