ESPN's Gary Gillette, in a recent chat (ESPN Insider required): "Colorado's chances of contending in two years, never mind next year, are barely visible on the horizon with current management. On many days, they don't even have 3 players in their lineup that are true-ML caliber regulars."

See what we have to contend with? The Rockies' reputation is so poor that even pros aren't bothering to check in on their development. What does Gillette have against Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe, Clint Barmes, and Matt Holliday anyway? What about Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis? What about Brian Fuentes? What about their record compared to the rest of the NL West since the All-Star Break?

Listen, I don't mind people ragging on the Rockies. I rag on them all the time. It's true that their ownership is cheap and their field management often suspect. But it's not true that they don't have at least the vestiges of a young core. Just because their organization doesn't have the reputation of an Atlanta, Anaheim, or Oakland shouldn't cause people to ignore the things they have done right. The point isn't that Colorado is terribly underrated -- they're still one of the worst teams in the majors. The point is that years of futility are reducing them to a level of a team like Pittsburgh, a franchise so reflexively bad that no one short of Peter Gammons actually bothers to look at who's on their roster. If you're a national baseball writer and you want to pick on my local team, say something like "they strike out too much," or "their situational hitting is poor," or "counting on an entire rotation of longshot reclamation projects and prospects isn't a good plan for success." Don't just give a knee-jerk response that could apply to any one of a half-dozen ML teams. People still care about the Rockies, and people like Mr. Gillette are not doing their jobs if they think no one does.

Our winning streak was snapped yesterday; let's get back on the horse tonight.