thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Colorado epidemiologist has faith in NBA’s Orlando bubble, but should the league be returning at all

Colorado epidemiologist has faith in NBA’s Orlando bubble, but should the league be returning at all?

The NBA has about three months to hold its breath .
To hope that the bubble doesn ’ t burst .
To pray that the 2019- ’ 20 season concludes in a safe manner , without any hospitalizations and devoid of any uncontrolled outbreaks .
The league has implemented exhaustive testing procedures for its Disney campus in Orlando , and yet NBA Commissioner Adam Silver concedes it ’ s “ not impermeable.
” He even allowed that his concern is increasing , owing to the 10,000 cases Florida just saw in one day .
“ We ’ re talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I think sometimes that gets lost , ” said Dr. Lisa Miller , a professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health .
“ It ’ s not like there ’ s a black-and-white line between you ’ re either over 65 and you ’ re at risk or you ’ re under 65 and you ’ re not.
” Miller reviewed the NBA ’ s health-and-safety protocols and was impressed with its testing procedures .
She was confident in the league ’ s ability to catch a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more devastating .
“ It would be difficult to have a significant outbreak because they ’ re going to be testing so frequently and so widely that I think they ’ ll identify anyone who ’ s infected fairly quickly , ” she said .
“ … But I still think you ’ re depending on people following those guidelines , especially the pre-quarantine requirements.
” The Nuggets , at least publicly , have been among the most impacted franchises in terms of positive coronavirus cases .
Superstar Nikola Jokic tested positive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the team ’ s traveling party since last weekend .
Head coach Michael Malone , whose antibody test revealed he had had the virus months after he was feeling symptoms , suggested maybe the only benefit was that members of his team were testing positive before traveling to Orlando .
On Thursday , the NBA and NBPA announced that of the 351 players tested since June 23 , when mandatory testing began , 25 players ( 7 % ) have tested positive .
That number was significantly lower for staffers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 884 tested from June 23-29 .
“ If you ’ re in the bubble and you know you have seven percent of people who are PCR positive , that seems concerning , ” Miller said .
“ If it ’ s pre-bubble , and you ’ ve allowed the appropriate amount of time for isolation of those people then I think that ’ s different.
” The NBA has , deliberately , not stated what it would take to call off the restart .
“ This level of testing and oversight is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community that I find it hard to imagine that there will be uncontrolled transmission because they ’ ll be able to identify it so early , ” Miller said , while acknowledging some level of risk associated with just playing basketball .
“ The concerning thing would be if there was identified person-to-person transmission within the bubble , and they demonstrate that all these safeguards are really not preventing that then I think they ’ ll have to rethink it.
” On a recent Zoom call with reporters , Malone turned introspective and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know whether the NBA should be considering a return .
“ Do I think it ’ s worth it ?
I ’ ll be honest , in the three months since the season was suspended , depending on the day , the week , the month , I probably would have a different answer , ” he said .
Ultimately , assuming a safe environment and the conversation around racial justice doesn ’ t subside , Malone believes returning is the right decision .
Miller understood the need for something “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing back basketball .
But she also had reservations about resource allocation .
The NBA has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to aid its testing and has said its plan wouldn ’ t hurt the availability of testing for first responders .
“ The magnitude of this issue and the needs are so great that it ’ s a bit of a struggle to think about for instance all these testing resources going to this relatively small group of people , ” she said .
“ I hope that that isn ’ t impacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know that it is .
It ’ s just worth thinking about .
”

The NBA has about three months to hold its breath.
To hope that the bubble doesn’t burst.
To pray that the 2019-’20 season concludes in a safe manner, without any hospitalizations and devoid of any uncontrolled outbreaks.
The league has implemented exhaustive testing procedures for its Disney campus in Orlando, and yet NBA Commissioner Adam Silver concedes it’s “not impermeable.”
He even allowed that his concern is increasing, owing to the 10,000 cases Florida just saw in one day.
“We’re talking about degrees of risk in all these things, and I think sometimes that gets lost,” said Dr. Lisa Miller, a professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health. “It’s not like there’s a black-and-white line between you’re either over 65 and you’re at risk or you’re under 65 and you’re not.”
Miller reviewed the NBA’s health-and-safety protocols and was impressed with its testing procedures. She was confident in the league’s ability to catch a positive test early before it steamrolled into something more devastating.
“It would be difficult to have a significant outbreak because they’re going to be testing so frequently and so widely that I think they’ll identify anyone who’s infected fairly quickly,” she said. “… But I still think you’re depending on people following those guidelines, especially the pre-quarantine requirements.”
The Nuggets, at least publicly, have been among the most impacted franchises in terms of positive coronavirus cases. Superstar Nikola Jokic tested positive in Serbia, as did at least three members of the team’s traveling party since last weekend. Head coach Michael Malone, whose antibody test revealed he had had the virus months after he was feeling symptoms, suggested maybe the only benefit was that members of his team were testing positive before traveling to Orlando.
On Thursday, the NBA and NBPA announced that of the 351 players tested since June 23, when mandatory testing began, 25 players (7%) have tested positive. That number was significantly lower for staffers, where only 10 were positive out of 884 tested from June 23-29.
“If you’re in the bubble and you know you have seven percent of people who are PCR positive, that seems concerning,” Miller said. “If it’s pre-bubble, and you’ve allowed the appropriate amount of time for isolation of those people then I think that’s different.”
The NBA has, deliberately, not stated what it would take to call off the restart.
“This level of testing and oversight is just so many levels more than any other community that I find it hard to imagine that there will be uncontrolled transmission because they’ll be able to identify it so early,” Miller said, while acknowledging some level of risk associated with just playing basketball. “The concerning thing would be if there was identified person-to-person transmission within the bubble, and they demonstrate that all these safeguards are really not preventing that then I think they’ll have to rethink it.”
On a recent Zoom call with reporters, Malone turned introspective and revealed that at different times he didn’t know whether the NBA should be considering a return.
“Do I think it’s worth it? I’ll be honest, in the three months since the season was suspended, depending on the day, the week, the month, I probably would have a different answer,” he said.
Ultimately, assuming a safe environment and the conversation around racial justice doesn’t subside, Malone believes returning is the right decision.
Miller understood the need for something “uplifting” and recognized the value in bringing back basketball. But she also had reservations about resource allocation. The NBA has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to aid its testing and has said its plan wouldn’t hurt the availability of testing for first responders.
“The magnitude of this issue and the needs are so great that it’s a bit of a struggle to think about for instance all these testing resources going to this relatively small group of people,” she said. “I hope that that isn’t impacting the availability of testing elsewhere. And I don’t know that it is. It’s just worth thinking about.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Neither Cory Gardner nor John Hickenlooper has ever lost a race in Colorado. Their Senate matchup wi

Neither Cory Gardner nor John Hickenlooper has ever lost a race in Colorado. Their Senate matchup will change that.

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner is the most powerful Republican in Colorado , a fast-talking and fast-rising star within his party , a beacon of light for the political right in this increasingly Democratic state .
John Hickenlooper is Colorado ’ s best-known Democrat , a popular former governor with almost universal name recognition and a quirky persona that has played well in the Centennial State for two decades .
Over the next four months , Gardner and Hickenlooper will go blow-for-blow across the state in the electoral equivalent of a heavyweight title fight .
Both raise massive amounts of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado , a streak of political perfection that will end for one of them Nov. 3 .
Closely watched here and in Washington , its one of the few races that will decide which party runs the Senate .
Hickenlooper begins the race in the lead — a rarity for a challenger facing an incumbent — because of President Donald Trump ’ s unpopularity in Colorado and the state ’ s recent Democratic leanings .
Polling averages show Hickenlooper began July with a roughly 10 percentage-point head start .
“ There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of what ’ s taking this country in the wrong direction , ” Hickenlooper said in an interview Tuesday night , following his primary victory .
“ Throughout much of the primary campaign , I knew I wanted to unify the party eventually , after the primary .
So we focused on Cory Gardner , on why he supports Trump ’ s lawsuit to get rid of the Affordable Care Act , on how in Colorado 2.4 million people have pre-existing medical conditions and will lose their protections if that lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominated Tuesday ’ s Democratic primary , winning even in ultra-liberal Boulder County , a strong sign that he can unify his party in time for November .
Andrew Romanoff , his progressive opponent , has pledged his full support to Hickenlooper and vowed to help Democrats defeat Gardner any way he can .
The fight will be over the unaffiliated voters who make up more than a third of Colorado ’ s electorate .
Republicans acknowledge that Hickenlooper starts with an advantage but believe the race will narrow significantly as Gardner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bests Hickenlooper on the campaign trail .
They say Hickenlooper enters the race bruised by a bad June that Gardner will not let voters forget about anytime soon .
“ I ’ m excited to go across the state of Colorado talking about my accomplishments for the state of Colorado , ” the Republican senator said in an interview Tuesday night .
“ The fact is , the past six years I ’ ve been a problem solver for this state and will continue to be .
We brought the Bureau of Land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Command in Colorado , ( passed ) historic tax cuts for Colorado , and we ’ ll continue that progress for the people of Colorado.
” Gardner calls Hickenlooper “ the most extreme-left ” candidate Colorado Democrats have ever nominated , despite Hickenlooper ’ s reputation within his own party as a moderate or even centrist Democrat .
“ John Hickenlooper has no ideas of his own , other than Chuck Schumer ’ s talking points , ” Gardner added , referring to the Senate minority leader from New York .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado , and that is what I ’ m going to continue to do.
” Gardner ’ s strategy at this stage is twofold : First , focus on policy achievements during his first term in the Senate , portraying himself as someone who works for Colorado rather than Trump or his party .
And two , paint Hickenlooper as an out-of-touch liberal who hasn ’ t been upfront about his violations of state ethics laws .
“ If Hickenlooper wants to run a clean race then he should waive the statute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on private jets and other ethics violations that were outside the statute of limitations , ” Gardner said Tuesday .
“ Be honest with the people of Colorado .
If he wants to be honest , be honest.
” For Hickenlooper , who has traditionally been a fairly clean campaigner , the strategy is to tout Colorado ’ s successes when he was governor and tie Gardner to Trump , especially on the salient issues of health care and coronavirus response .
Hickenlooper laughed loudly Tuesday night when asked about Gardner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor in the history of Colorado .
“ When I ran for mayor , there were eight other people running , and four of them were really talented , had significant constituencies , and , boy , it was bare knuckles and they attacked this and attacked that .
I stayed on the issues pretty much the whole time , ” Hickenlooper said of his successful 2003 campaign in Denver .
The Democrat knows to expect a full range of criticisms from Gardner and Republicans this year .
He says he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way .
“ You can call it both guns blazing .
I would say their mud cannon is going to be splurching .
”

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner is the most powerful Republican in Colorado, a fast-talking and fast-rising star within his party, a beacon of light for the political right in this increasingly Democratic state.
John Hickenlooper is Colorado’s best-known Democrat, a popular former governor with almost universal name recognition and a quirky persona that has played well in the Centennial State for two decades.
Over the next four months, Gardner and Hickenlooper will go blow-for-blow across the state in the electoral equivalent of a heavyweight title fight. Both raise massive amounts of money and neither has lost an election in Colorado, a streak of political perfection that will end for one of them Nov. 3. Closely watched here and in Washington, its one of the few races that will decide which party runs the Senate.
Hickenlooper begins the race in the lead — a rarity for a challenger facing an incumbent — because of President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in Colorado and the state’s recent Democratic leanings. Polling averages show Hickenlooper began July with a roughly 10 percentage-point head start.
“There is a strong, strong recognition that Cory Gardner is part of what’s taking this country in the wrong direction,” Hickenlooper said in an interview Tuesday night, following his primary victory.
“Throughout much of the primary campaign, I knew I wanted to unify the party eventually, after the primary. So we focused on Cory Gardner, on why he supports Trump’s lawsuit to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, on how in Colorado 2.4 million people have pre-existing medical conditions and will lose their protections if that lawsuit succeeds,” he added.
Hickenlooper dominated Tuesday’s Democratic primary, winning even in ultra-liberal Boulder County, a strong sign that he can unify his party in time for November. Andrew Romanoff, his progressive opponent, has pledged his full support to Hickenlooper and vowed to help Democrats defeat Gardner any way he can.
The fight will be over the unaffiliated voters who make up more than a third of Colorado’s electorate.
Republicans acknowledge that Hickenlooper starts with an advantage but believe the race will narrow significantly as Gardner, a sharp debater and skilled orator, bests Hickenlooper on the campaign trail. They say Hickenlooper enters the race bruised by a bad June that Gardner will not let voters forget about anytime soon.
“I’m excited to go across the state of Colorado talking about my accomplishments for the state of Colorado,” the Republican senator said in an interview Tuesday night. “The fact is, the past six years I’ve been a problem solver for this state and will continue to be. We brought the Bureau of Land Management to Colorado, opened up Space Command in Colorado, (passed) historic tax cuts for Colorado, and we’ll continue that progress for the people of Colorado.”
Gardner calls Hickenlooper “the most extreme-left” candidate Colorado Democrats have ever nominated, despite Hickenlooper’s reputation within his own party as a moderate or even centrist Democrat.
“John Hickenlooper has no ideas of his own, other than Chuck Schumer’s talking points,” Gardner added, referring to the Senate minority leader from New York. “I vote 100% of the time for Colorado, and that is what I’m going to continue to do.”
Gardner’s strategy at this stage is twofold: First, focus on policy achievements during his first term in the Senate, portraying himself as someone who works for Colorado rather than Trump or his party. And two, paint Hickenlooper as an out-of-touch liberal who hasn’t been upfront about his violations of state ethics laws.
“If Hickenlooper wants to run a clean race then he should waive the statute of limitations and be honest about his trips on private jets and other ethics violations that were outside the statute of limitations,” Gardner said Tuesday. “Be honest with the people of Colorado. If he wants to be honest, be honest.”
For Hickenlooper, who has traditionally been a fairly clean campaigner, the strategy is to tout Colorado’s successes when he was governor and tie Gardner to Trump, especially on the salient issues of health care and coronavirus response. Hickenlooper laughed loudly Tuesday night when asked about Gardner’s claim that he is the most corrupt governor in the history of Colorado.
“When I ran for mayor, there were eight other people running, and four of them were really talented, had significant constituencies, and, boy, it was bare knuckles and they attacked this and attacked that. I stayed on the issues pretty much the whole time,” Hickenlooper said of his successful 2003 campaign in Denver.
The Democrat knows to expect a full range of criticisms from Gardner and Republicans this year. He says he’s ready for everything they’ll throw his way.
“You can call it both guns blazing. I would say their mud cannon is going to be splurching.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Chambers: Oskar Lindblom’s cancer battle exemplifies what Masterton Trophy is all about

One of the best stories of this strange NHL season has to be Oskar Lindblom , the probable 2020 Bill Masterton Trophy winner as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance , sportsmanship and dedication to hockey .
Lindblom , an affable 23-year-old Swede , had a team-high 11 goals for the Philadelphia Flyers in early December when he was diagnosed with Ewing ’ s sarcoma , a form of bone cancer .
The Flyers said he was finished for the season .
But wait .
Lindblom , who was the Masterton Trophy nominee from the Philadelphia chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , skated with his teammates June 23 and was officially released from Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Thursday .
He might not be done for the 2019-20 season after all , with the 24-team playoffs set to begin late this month or early August .
The Flyers are among the top-four seeds in the Eastern Conference and guaranteed to play when the playoff field is trimmed to the traditional 16 teams and best-of-seven series .
Every team could return to play near 100 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ ll see , ” Lindblom told NHL.com .
“ I ’ m going to try to get back from the chemo and take it from there .
Haven ’ t planned anything yet , just trying to get back in shape and we ’ ll see how far it goes.
” Lindblom ’ s battle with cancer became an inspiration to the Flyers and the city of Philadelphia .
“ I can ’ t say enough about this young man , ” Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talent and impact that Oskar has had for us on the ice , but he is an outstanding teammate in our locker room and a genuinely good person .
His attitude and strength through all of this is a tremendous inspiration for us all…Congrats to Oskar .
We look forward to having him rejoin our team in the near future.
” Outside the bubble .
Journalists like me will cover the upcoming playoffs far differently than before , with no interview scrums or one-on-ones at any point .
Every question-and-answer session will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be allowed inside the bubble .
But late last week the Professional Hockey Writers ’ Association told its members that the NHL and the NHL Players Association will allow media to cover games — and perhaps practices and morning skates — from the buildings in the two hub cities .
There is no official deal in place yet but fans can probably count on some different coverage outside of what you ’ ll see on television — which is one feed for every game .
Altitude , which will cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on NBC , will take the NHL feed and have its on-air talent and director , etc.
, work from its studio or production trucks in Denver .
Sounds .
I ’ m curious if the NHL will have its ice-level microphones on the same level during games when no fans are in the building , or if the league will adopt something like a 20-second television delay to edit the inevitable foul language from the players .
In a sold-out building , the microphones that usually hang from glass mostly only catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalpost or crossbar , and mild player-to-player communication .
But with no fans in the building , those microphones are bound to catch adult hockey conversations not fit for print .
That ’ s just one of the many issues the NHL has to work out .

One of the best stories of this strange NHL season has to be Oskar Lindblom, the probable 2020 Bill Masterton Trophy winner as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Lindblom, an affable 23-year-old Swede, had a team-high 11 goals for the Philadelphia Flyers in early December when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. The Flyers said he was finished for the season.
But wait. Lindblom, who was the Masterton Trophy nominee from the Philadelphia chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, skated with his teammates June 23 and was officially released from Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Thursday. He might not be done for the 2019-20 season after all, with the 24-team playoffs set to begin late this month or early August.
The Flyers are among the top-four seeds in the Eastern Conference and guaranteed to play when the playoff field is trimmed to the traditional 16 teams and best-of-seven series. Every team could return to play near 100 percent healthy, and that now includes Philly.
“We’ll see,” Lindblom told NHL.com. “I’m going to try to get back from the chemo and take it from there. Haven’t planned anything yet, just trying to get back in shape and we’ll see how far it goes.”
Lindblom’s battle with cancer became an inspiration to the Flyers and the city of Philadelphia.
“I can’t say enough about this young man,” Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said in a statement. “Everyone can see the talent and impact that Oskar has had for us on the ice, but he is an outstanding teammate in our locker room and a genuinely good person. His attitude and strength through all of this is a tremendous inspiration for us all…Congrats to Oskar. We look forward to having him rejoin our team in the near future.”
Outside the bubble. Journalists like me will cover the upcoming playoffs far differently than before, with no interview scrums or one-on-ones at any point. Every question-and-answer session will be virtual. Bottom line: We won’t be allowed inside the bubble.
But late last week the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association told its members that the NHL and the NHL Players Association will allow media to cover games — and perhaps practices and morning skates — from the buildings in the two hub cities.
There is no official deal in place yet but fans can probably count on some different coverage outside of what you’ll see on television — which is one feed for every game. Altitude, which will cover Avalanche games when they aren’t on NBC, will take the NHL feed and have its on-air talent and director, etc., work from its studio or production trucks in Denver.
Sounds. I’m curious if the NHL will have its ice-level microphones on the same level during games when no fans are in the building, or if the league will adopt something like a 20-second television delay to edit the inevitable foul language from the players. In a sold-out building, the microphones that usually hang from glass mostly only catch stick-to-stick passes, a shot off the goalpost or crossbar, and mild player-to-player communication.
But with no fans in the building, those microphones are bound to catch adult hockey conversations not fit for print.
That’s just one of the many issues the NHL has to work out.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Saunders: Major League Baseball has a chance to lead during these troubling times

The Rockies will finally hold their first “ summer camp ” practice Saturday as they prepare for a 60-game season in the midst of a life-altering pandemic .
Soon enough , there will be plenty of nuts-and-bolts baseball to write about : wins and losses , walk-off homers , blown saves , second-guessing managers ’ decisions , injuries , blown calls by umps , white-hot hitting streaks and horrific slumps .
As a baseball fan and a sportswriter , I ’ m looking forward to all of that .
But I have to admit that it all feels a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our nation right now .
So , at the risk of offending those who ’ ll tell me to “ stick to sports , ” I ’ m going to share some opinions as I venture outside the lines .
I was incredibly moved by Ian Desmond ’ s eloquent Instagram post explaining his reasons for opting out of the 2020 season .
For those of you on Twitter who took shots at Desmond because he hasn ’ t played up to the expectations of his five-year , $ 70 million contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was so much in Desmond ’ s post , but I was particularly struck by his concern that baseball has turned its back on Black America .
“ We ’ ve got a minority issue from the top down , ” he wrote .
“ One African American ( general manager ) .
Two African American managers .
Less than 8 % Black players .
No Black majority team owners .
“ Perhaps the most disheartening of all is a puzzling lack of focus on understanding how to change those numbers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessible and possible for all kids , not just those who are privileged enough to afford it .
If baseball is America ’ s pastime , maybe it ’ s never been a more fitting one than now.
” On a Zoom call with media , Rockies manager Bud Black was asked for his thoughts about players kneeling during the national anthem , something that I expect will happen in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minnesota .
“ I don ’ t know .
I just want to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding , “ When we get there , we ’ ll see .
I have no problem with a player doing what they feel is right for them .
I think that ’ s an individual thing .
“ There ’ s a lot of emotion , a lot of things that are coming out that are very positive .
I love the fact that we ’ re talking about this , that people are listening , that people are getting educated , that people are being honest and emotional , speaking from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of that as well .
I hope what ’ s going on currently continues because I do think it ’ s a good thing.
” It ’ s my personal hope that high-profile players do kneel , not as a sign of disrespect , but as a public statement that Floyd ’ s death matters .
Finally , last week on “ CBS ’ s Sunday Morning , ” historian Ken Burns eloquently put baseball ’ s role into perspective .
“ Baseball is a mirror of our country , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Since the Civil War , baseball has been a constant , a through-line , a microcosm of larger events happening off the field … “ Today , as we face an unprecedented crisis and consider how to move forward , we long for baseball to return , to pull us together as it has in the past , to restore a sense of normality and routine .
But that ’ s not what this moment is asking of us .
“ Now — once again — baseball has the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us in prioritizing health and safety , sacrificing individual freedom for the collective good .
We will remember this season , regardless of how it unfolds , not just because of the lack of our game , but because of what we have been asked to do : to stay home together .
”

The Rockies will finally hold their first “summer camp” practice Saturday as they prepare for a 60-game season in the midst of a life-altering pandemic.
Soon enough, there will be plenty of nuts-and-bolts baseball to write about: wins and losses, walk-off homers, blown saves, second-guessing managers’ decisions, injuries, blown calls by umps, white-hot hitting streaks and horrific slumps.
As a baseball fan and a sportswriter, I’m looking forward to all of that. But I have to admit that it all feels a bit hollow considering what’s going on in our nation right now. So, at the risk of offending those who’ll tell me to “stick to sports,” I’m going to share some opinions as I venture outside the lines.
I was incredibly moved by Ian Desmond’s eloquent Instagram post explaining his reasons for opting out of the 2020 season. For those of you on Twitter who took shots at Desmond because he hasn’t played up to the expectations of his five-year, $70 million contract, you missed his point entirely.
There was so much in Desmond’s post, but I was particularly struck by his concern that baseball has turned its back on Black America.
“We’ve got a minority issue from the top down,” he wrote. “One African American (general manager). Two African American managers. Less than 8% Black players. No Black majority team owners.
“Perhaps the most disheartening of all is a puzzling lack of focus on understanding how to change those numbers. A lack of focus on making baseball accessible and possible for all kids, not just those who are privileged enough to afford it. If baseball is America’s pastime, maybe it’s never been a more fitting one than now.”
On a Zoom call with media, Rockies manager Bud Black was asked for his thoughts about players kneeling during the national anthem, something that I expect will happen in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minnesota.
“I don’t know. I just want to play baseball,” Black began, before adding, “When we get there, we’ll see. I have no problem with a player doing what they feel is right for them. I think that’s an individual thing.
“There’s a lot of emotion, a lot of things that are coming out that are very positive. I love the fact that we’re talking about this, that people are listening, that people are getting educated, that people are being honest and emotional, speaking from the heart. I want to be a part of that as well. I hope what’s going on currently continues because I do think it’s a good thing.”
It’s my personal hope that high-profile players do kneel, not as a sign of disrespect, but as a public statement that Floyd’s death matters.
Finally, last week on “CBS’s Sunday Morning,” historian Ken Burns eloquently put baseball’s role into perspective.
“Baseball is a mirror of our country, in all its complexity,” he said. “Since the Civil War, baseball has been a constant, a through-line, a microcosm of larger events happening off the field …
“Today, as we face an unprecedented crisis and consider how to move forward, we long for baseball to return, to pull us together as it has in the past, to restore a sense of normality and routine. But that’s not what this moment is asking of us.
“Now — once again — baseball has the opportunity to lead rather than follow, to guide us in prioritizing health and safety, sacrificing individual freedom for the collective good. We will remember this season, regardless of how it unfolds, not just because of the lack of our game, but because of what we have been asked to do: to stay home together.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Rockies Insider: With Colorado’s farm teams potentially extinct, remember the state’s first and most

Rockies Insider: With Colorado’s farm teams potentially extinct, remember the state’s first and most memorable minor league teams

With Colorado baseball fans mourning the potential loss of its farm teams in Grand Junction and Colorado Springs due to Minor League Baseball ’ s proposed contraction ahead of 2021 , let ’ s take a moment to appreciate the state ’ s minor league roots .
Colorado ’ s first minor league team was the Denvers of the Western League in 1886 .
The Western League was the first organized league ( i.e .
affiliated with MLB or MiLB ) west of the Mississippi , and the Denvers won the league championship in their inaugural season .
The Denvers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first baseball stadium was built at Larimer and 32nd Street , close to Coors Field .
The grounds were called the Denver Base Ball Park , and in August of 1885 , it hosted a then-record crowd of about 4,000 for an amateur game .
While the rookie-league Grand Junction Rockies and Rocky Mountain Vibes ( formerly the Colorado Springs Sky Sox , and now a Brewers ’ affiliate ) have certainly impacted their respective cities in their own ways , the most memorable minor league team in Colorado history is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears/Zephrys minor league era from 1947-92 , the teams — which ranged in MLB affiliation and combined to win a dozen championships in regular-season play plus six MiLB postseason championships — gave an initial glimpse into the inflated power , and difficulty in pitching that professional baseball at mile-high elevation brings .
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Try the first month for just 99¢ Kiszla vs. Newman : Is Trevor Story or Kyle Freeland more crucial to the Rockies ’ playoff hopes ?
Odds say it ’ s more likely to be Story , whose historic power for his position has him on the cusp of becoming a national star .
Read more… So much to do , so much to decide , so little time .
That ’ s the situation confronting the Rockies as they begin “ summer baseball camp , ” which is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State University .
Read more… Rockies Mailbag : What are Colorado ’ s future plans for first base ?
Michael Toglia appeared to be on a relatively fast track toward the majors until the coronavirus pandemic shut down all of minor league baseball this spring .
Will he be the next Todd Helton ?
Probably not .
But he does have a chance to be an impact player .
Read more… + Keeler : Why does it feel like Ian Desmond is only the tip of the MLB iceberg ?
+ Rockies throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to opt out of 2020 season + Minor League Baseball season officially canceled as prospect of shrunken farm system in 2021 looms + Rockies to host satellite camp in Albuquerque , and hope to have developmental program for minor leaguers + Tim Tebow could benefit from 60-game MLB season with National League DH , roster rules If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at jbailey @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ beetbailey .

With Colorado baseball fans mourning the potential loss of its farm teams in Grand Junction and Colorado Springs due to Minor League Baseball’s proposed contraction ahead of 2021, let’s take a moment to appreciate the state’s minor league roots.
Colorado’s first minor league team was the Denvers of the Western League in 1886. The Western League was the first organized league (i.e. affiliated with MLB or MiLB) west of the Mississippi, and the Denvers won the league championship in their inaugural season.
The Denvers were formed a year after the city’s first baseball stadium was built at Larimer and 32nd Street, close to Coors Field. The grounds were called the Denver Base Ball Park, and in August of 1885, it hosted a then-record crowd of about 4,000 for an amateur game.
While the rookie-league Grand Junction Rockies and Rocky Mountain Vibes (formerly the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, and now a Brewers’ affiliate) have certainly impacted their respective cities in their own ways, the most memorable minor league team in Colorado history is obviously the Denver Bears/Zephyrs.
During the Bears/Zephrys minor league era from 1947-92, the teams — which ranged in MLB affiliation and combined to win a dozen championships in regular-season play plus six MiLB postseason championships — gave an initial glimpse into the inflated power, and difficulty in pitching that professional baseball at mile-high elevation brings.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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Must-Read
Odds say it’s more likely to be Story, whose historic power for his position has him on the cusp of becoming a national star. Read more…
So much to do, so much to decide, so little time.
That’s the situation confronting the Rockies as they begin “summer baseball camp,” which is likely to begin Saturday at Coors Field and Metro State University. Read more…
Michael Toglia appeared to be on a relatively fast track toward the majors until the coronavirus pandemic shut down all of minor league baseball this spring. Will he be the next Todd Helton? Probably not. But he does have a chance to be an impact player. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Keeler: Why does it feel like Ian Desmond is only the tip of the MLB iceberg?
+ Rockies throw their support behind Ian Desmond’s decision to opt out of 2020 season
+ Minor League Baseball season officially canceled as prospect of shrunken farm system in 2021 looms
+ Rockies facing major health concerns as camp opens amid coronavirus
+ Rockies begin refunding fans for all 2020 single-game tickets
+ Matt Kemp agrees to minor-league deal with Rockies
+ Rockies agree to terms with undrafted local right-hander Blake Goldsberry
+ Rockies to host satellite camp in Albuquerque, and hope to have developmental program for minor leaguers
+ Remembering the shortest 9-inning game in Coors Field history
+ Tim Tebow could benefit from 60-game MLB season with National League DH, roster rules
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.com or tweet me @beetbailey.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Ask Amy: Exasperated parents inspire kids to help at home

Dear Readers : I recently published a question from a woman who signed her letter : “ Exasperated Mom.
” This mom presented an honest and evergreen problem : How to get her three teenagers to help out more at home .
I need to add to my advice to this parent – that the way to get teenagers to help at home is to bring them onto the family team when they are toddlers .
Young children love to help , and when children work alongside their parents , they are learning important life skills .
The reason I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exasperated was because – for her and her husband – that ship had already sailed .
I received scores of responses to this letter , and – some were genuinely helpful , others were funny or nostalgic , and some were straight-up bananas ( put all of your kids ’ bedroom furniture , belongings , and clothing into a rented storage unit and force them to “ earn ” them back ) .
Here is a sampling of my favorite responses : Dear Amy : I was so tired of asking my teen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over again , so I stopped .
Instead , one day I made tuna casserole for dinner – a dish they both hate .
For four days in a row , I made tuna casserole for dinner .
I listened to them grumble about how much they hated it , while I told them that I could eat it every day for an entire month .
I never mentioned the chores that weren ’ t getting done .
On the fourth night , my older daughter realized what was happening .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chores that night , and any time I made tuna casserole after that , they looked for things that needed to be done .
Dear Amy : I raised two lovely boys , who are now 32 and 29 .
We had the same issues that Exasperated describes .
What really helped was time .
As they experienced difficult roommates at college , they got so much better at seeing what needed to be done .
Once , the youngest was complaining that he was the only roommate that cleaned the bathroom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laughing .
If I was given a do-over , I would nag less and enjoy the time with them more .
Dear Amy : “ Exasperated Mom ” complained that no matter what she tried , she could not get her teenagers to pitch in around the house .
A sure-fire way to get their attention is to turn off the WI-FI and lock it up until chores are done .
It ’ s also possible to suspend a phone line instantly and temporarily — a great way to get a teen ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about leverage .
Find the right lever and you can move any teen !
Dear Amy : Back in high school , one of my friends didn ’ t do her chore before leaving with us for a party .
Big mistake .
When she got home late that night , the dirty dinner dishes were in her bed .
No lie .
Lesson learned !
( Well , she learned her lesson — my mom was all bark and no bite ! )
Dear Amy : As a parent of four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of possible chores so they could select their own , and what was left would be my chores .
It worked so well that I expanded it to Easy Chores , Hard Chores , and Disgusting Chores with a notation of how many they needed to choose on each list .
They treated it like a competition !
This all happened on Saturday morning , and nobody got to leave the house until they did the chores .
If they put their minds to it , they were done in 30 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teenager , my room was always a mess .
It drove my dad nuts .
Finally , he took everything that was on my bedroom floor and tossed it onto the roof of our home .
When I came home and saw my Air Jordans ( among other things ) on the roof in the rain , I was horrified .
I would also leave my wet towel on the floor .
Dad started shoving it under my covers .
When I ’ d crawl into bed at night , my sheets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I kept my room clean and hung up my towel , which I have consistently done since I was a teenager .
Food for thought .
My dad didn ’ t say a word , but I got the message .
( By the way , I ’ m a clean dad now… )

Dear Readers: I recently published a question from a woman who signed her letter: “Exasperated Mom.” This mom presented an honest and evergreen problem: How to get her three teenagers to help out more at home.
I need to add to my advice to this parent – that the way to get teenagers to help at home is to bring them onto the family team when they are toddlers. Young children love to help, and when children work alongside their parents, they are learning important life skills. The reason I didn’t offer this observation to Exasperated was because – for her and her husband – that ship had already sailed.
I received scores of responses to this letter, and – some were genuinely helpful, others were funny or nostalgic, and some were straight-up bananas (put all of your kids’ bedroom furniture, belongings, and clothing into a rented storage unit and force them to “earn” them back).
Here is a sampling of my favorite responses:
Dear Amy: I was so tired of asking my teen daughters to do the same thing over and over again, so I stopped. Instead, one day I made tuna casserole for dinner – a dish they both hate.
For four days in a row, I made tuna casserole for dinner.
I listened to them grumble about how much they hated it, while I told them that I could eat it every day for an entire month. I never mentioned the chores that weren’t getting done.
On the fourth night, my older daughter realized what was happening. She and her sister took care of the chores that night, and any time I made tuna casserole after that, they looked for things that needed to be done.
— Noodle This!
Dear Amy: I raised two lovely boys, who are now 32 and 29. We had the same issues that Exasperated describes. What really helped was time. As they experienced difficult roommates at college, they got so much better at seeing what needed to be done.
Once, the youngest was complaining that he was the only roommate that cleaned the bathroom, and I about fell off my chair laughing. If I was given a do-over, I would nag less and enjoy the time with them more.
— Enjoying it Now
Dear Amy: “Exasperated Mom” complained that no matter what she tried, she could not get her teenagers to pitch in around the house. A sure-fire way to get their attention is to turn off the WI-FI and lock it up until chores are done. It’s also possible to suspend a phone line instantly and temporarily — a great way to get a teen’s attention.
Parenting non-compliant teens is all about leverage. Find the right lever and you can move any teen!
— I’ve Got the Lever
Dear Amy: Back in high school, one of my friends didn’t do her chore before leaving with us for a party. Big mistake. When she got home late that night, the dirty dinner dishes were in her bed. No lie. Lesson learned! (Well, she learned her lesson — my mom was all bark and no bite!)
— No Leftovers, Please
Dear Amy: As a parent of four teens, I learned to make a list of possible chores so they could select their own, and what was left would be my chores.
It worked so well that I expanded it to Easy Chores, Hard Chores, and Disgusting Chores with a notation of how many they needed to choose on each list. They treated it like a competition!
This all happened on Saturday morning, and nobody got to leave the house until they did the chores. If they put their minds to it, they were done in 30 minutes!
— Turning the Chore Wheel
Dear Amy: When I was a teenager, my room was always a mess. It drove my dad nuts. Finally, he took everything that was on my bedroom floor and tossed it onto the roof of our home.
When I came home and saw my Air Jordans (among other things) on the roof in the rain, I was horrified.
I would also leave my wet towel on the floor. Dad started shoving it under my covers. When I’d crawl into bed at night, my sheets were damp.
Suffice it to say, I kept my room clean and hung up my towel, which I have consistently done since I was a teenager. Food for thought.
My dad didn’t say a word, but I got the message. (By the way, I’m a clean dad now…)
— Clean Dad
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Read the full internal affairs report on the Aurora police department’s Elijah McClain photo inciden

Read the full internal affairs report on the Aurora police department’s Elijah McClain photo incident

Aurora ’ s interim police chief on Friday fired two officers who posed for a photo reenacting a chokehold at @ @ @ @ @ ’ s violent arrest , and terminated a third officer who received the picture mocking @ @ @ @ @ last summer .
The internal affairs report is below .
Read the full story here @

Aurora’s interim police chief on Friday fired two officers who posed for a photo reenacting a chokehold at the site of Elijah McClain’s violent arrest, and terminated a third officer who received the picture mocking the 23-year-old’s death last summer.
The internal affairs report is below. Read the full story here.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--PHOTOS: Protesters march from Elijah McClain memorial site to Aurora Police station

Charlie Oster , 24 , stands in the shade during a rally for Elijah McClain at his memorial where he @ @ @ @ @ Billings and Evergreen in the fall of 2019 on Friday , July 3 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota , and he said that seeing the response to George Floyd 's has been @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I hope we can keep the march going , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ lot of progress in Colorado but it 's not close to being done . ''

Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Charlie Oster, 24, stands in the shade during a rally for Elijah McClain at his memorial where he was confronted by police at Billings and Evergreen in the fall of 2019 on Friday, July 3, 2020. Oster is originally from Minnesota, and he said that seeing the response to George Floyd's has been unlike anything he's seen. "I hope we can keep the march going," he said. "There's been a lot of progress in Colorado but it's not close to being done."


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Demonstrators outside Aurora police station demand firing of officers involved in Elijah McClain’s d

Demonstrators outside Aurora police station demand firing of officers involved in Elijah McClain’s death

Demonstrators marched Friday evening from the site of Aurora police ’ s violent apprehension of Elijah McClain last summer to the department ’ s District 1 station , where they declared they ’ ll peacefully remain until all of the officers involved in the 23-year-old ’ s death are fired .
Protesters surrounded the District 1 station at 13347 E. Montview Blvd .
on Friday night in what they called the “ APD Occupation , ” reading McClain ’ s last words over a loudspeakers and chanting “ I don ’ t see no no riot here !
Why are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers .
“ Let us make it clear to you and your lying pigs this time we have no intentions to storm this precinct at this time , ” an unidentified organizer said through a megaphone , reading from the Party for Socialism & Liberation ’ s open letter to interim Aurora police Chief Vanessa Wilson .
“ We will make sure that every single person here tonight does not move from this spot surrounding the precinct until you publicly agree to fire Randy Roedema and Nathan Woodyard.
” Though previously planned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she had fired three officers , including two who posed for a photo reenacting a chokehold near a memorial to McClain , and a third officer who received the picture mocking the 23-year-old ’ s death .
That officer , Jason Rosenblatt , was one of the three involved in McClain ’ s death , though he , Woodyard and Roedema previously had been cleared of wrongdoing .
All three were taken off street duty last month for their own safety , police said .
As night fell Friday , the protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scattered around the outside of the station , sitting down on the lawn and pavement , playing music .
Organizers encouraged people to invite their friends to come down , saying they weren ’ t going anywhere .
By 10 p.m. , there still had been no show of force by Aurora police .
Throughout the evening , the department periodically tweeted that the demonstrators “ remain peaceful at District 1.
” A little after 11 p.m. , Wilson spoke to one of the protest leaders from the Party for Socialism & Liberation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the group ’ s megaphone .
Of the demonstrators ’ demands , Wilson said , “ I do not have the power to fire these officers.
” Rashad Williams , one of the marchers , said he lives down the street from where McClain — who ’ d committed no crime — was stopped by police responding to a report of a suspicious person .
“ I ’ m here because Black lives matter and Elijah McClain matters , ” he said .
“ It could have been me .
It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sickened by the photo of the Aurora police officers reenacting the chokehold used on McClain .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine people don ’ t have empathy or compassion for a life lost , to make fun of a life lost.
” Pamela Howard said she was marching because she has a 19-year-old son and it could have been his life lost .
“ I can ’ t rest .
I can ’ t have peace .
I can ’ t be OK until his murderers are arrested , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong .
He needs justice .
I wish we would have did this a long time ago.
” Friday evening ’ s march comes as McClain ’ s death last August — after being put in a chokehold by police and injected with the heavy sedative ketamine by paramedics — has become part of the national push for racial justice and police reform in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis .
Last weekend , demonstrators assembled outside the Aurora Police Department ’ s main headquarters , where riot police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push back the protesters — a move that came under heavy criticism and was defended by police officials .
In recent weeks , Gov .
Jared Polis has tapped the state ’ s attorney general to investigate the death and the FBI , U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for Colorado and the Department of Justice have publicly acknowledged they ’ ve been reviewing the case since last year to determine whether a federal civil rights investigation is warranted .
The city of Aurora is also preparing to hire a new third-party investigator to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actions .

Demonstrators marched Friday evening from the site of Aurora police’s violent apprehension of Elijah McClain last summer to the department’s District 1 station, where they declared they’ll peacefully remain until all of the officers involved in the 23-year-old’s death are fired.
Protesters surrounded the District 1 station at 13347 E. Montview Blvd. on Friday night in what they called the “APD Occupation,” reading McClain’s last words over a loudspeakers and chanting “I don’t see no no riot here! Why are you in riot gear!” at officers.
“Let us make it clear to you and your lying pigs this time we have no intentions to storm this precinct at this time,” an unidentified organizer said through a megaphone, reading from the Party for Socialism & Liberation’s open letter to interim Aurora police Chief Vanessa Wilson.
“We will make sure that every single person here tonight does not move from this spot surrounding the precinct until you publicly agree to fire Randy Roedema and Nathan Woodyard.”
Though previously planned, the march followed the announcement by Wilson that she had fired three officers, including two who posed for a photo reenacting a chokehold near a memorial to McClain, and a third officer who received the picture mocking the 23-year-old’s death.
That officer, Jason Rosenblatt, was one of the three involved in McClain’s death, though he, Woodyard and Roedema previously had been cleared of wrongdoing. All three were taken off street duty last month for their own safety, police said.
Peaceful protest into the night
As night fell Friday, the protest was peaceful, with hundreds of people scattered around the outside of the station, sitting down on the lawn and pavement, playing music. Organizers encouraged people to invite their friends to come down, saying they weren’t going anywhere.
By 10 p.m., there still had been no show of force by Aurora police. Throughout the evening, the department periodically tweeted that the demonstrators “remain peaceful at District 1.”
A little after 11 p.m., Wilson spoke to one of the protest leaders from the Party for Socialism & Liberation in a phone call broadcast in part over the group’s megaphone. Of the demonstrators’ demands, Wilson said, “I do not have the power to fire these officers.”
Aurora police waited until 2:30 a.m. to order the crowd to disperse, announcing in a tweet: “Attention: #APDOccupation. You are blocking access to this building. You are ordered to leave the immediate area around the building and cross to the south side of Montview. Please move away in an orderly and peaceful manner.”
A half-hour later, the department tweeted: “Officers are trying to regain access to our building. The protesters are lighting fireworks and throwing things.”
Aurora police moved in on protesters, according to Denver 7News, but did not use pepper spray, as they had on demonstrators last weekend. By around 4:30 a.m., 7News reported, the situation appeared under control as police ordered the remaining demonstrators to leave the area.
“Elijah McClain matters”
Rashad Williams, one of the marchers, said he lives down the street from where McClain — who’d committed no crime — was stopped by police responding to a report of a suspicious person.
“I’m here because Black lives matter and Elijah McClain matters,” he said. “It could have been me. It has to stop.”
He also said he was sickened by the photo of the Aurora police officers reenacting the chokehold used on McClain. “It’s hard to imagine people don’t have empathy or compassion for a life lost, to make fun of a life lost.”
Pamela Howard said she was marching because she has a 19-year-old son and it could have been his life lost.
“I can’t rest. I can’t have peace. I can’t be OK until his murderers are arrested,” she said. “He did nothing wrong. He needs justice. I wish we would have did this a long time ago.”
More video from @ehernandez of Elijah McClain protesters outside Aurora PD District 1 station pic.twitter.com/FiG4LKzqzt — Matt Sebastian (@mattsebastian) July 4, 2020
Friday evening’s march comes as McClain’s death last August — after being put in a chokehold by police and injected with the heavy sedative ketamine by paramedics — has become part of the national push for racial justice and police reform in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
Last weekend, demonstrators assembled outside the Aurora Police Department’s main headquarters, where riot police used pepper spray in their efforts to push back the protesters — a move that came under heavy criticism and was defended by police officials.
In recent weeks, Gov. Jared Polis has tapped the state’s attorney general to investigate the death and the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado and the Department of Justice have publicly acknowledged they’ve been reviewing the case since last year to determine whether a federal civil rights investigation is warranted.
The city of Aurora is also preparing to hire a new third-party investigator to relaunch its independent probe of the department’s actions.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Kiszla: The new definition of American patriotism? The Rockies know. Real men wear masks.

With no star-spangled fireworks and no big crowd buzz on the Fourth of July , the crack of a ball off the bat sounded lonely echoing off empty seats in the ballpark on Blake Street .
Baseball was back in LoDo , where the Rockies opened summer camp on Saturday .
But a return to normalcy ?
Not even close .
We ’ ve got a long road back to normal .
Colorado players walked on the field for batting practice wearing masks .
As infielders took grounders , the ball carefully deposited in a bag after every throw to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Series took a backseat to something far more basic in these COVID-19 times : staying healthy .
“ You realize people are dying from this every day .
And they still don ’ t know what the long-term effects are of this coronavirus .
It ’ s kind of scary , ” Rockies catcher Tony Wolters said .
At last count , more than 130,000 Americans have died during a pandemic that still isn ’ t being taken seriously by far too many people in far too many places across this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mess with , ” said Rockies shortstop Trevor Story , who knows family friends back in Texas who have been stricken and recovered from the virus .
While it will be sweet to see Nolan Arenado blast a two-run homer off Clayton Kershaw , maybe the best service baseball can provide in 2020 is remind us that if we want to see a World Series champ crowned this autumn or anything close to normalcy during the remainder of this calendar year , it ’ s going to require far more teamwork than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against this virus .
If we ’ re still blind to the fact there won ’ t be anything normal about this major-league season , here ’ s another clue : During games , while working behind the plate in the heat of summer , Wolters hopes to wear a protective mask beneath all his other catching gear .
“ I don ’ t want to get the virus , ” he said .
If Wolters can wear a mask to his sweaty , dirty job , what ’ s your excuse not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re a house-painter , a pitcher or the president of the United States ?
Story grew up with a bat and glove .
He ’ s learning to make the mask a standard part of his uniform and never go anywhere without it .
“ The new norm is to have it in your back pocket , ” Story said .
The Fourth of July is a celebration of baseball and BBQ , not to mention red , white and true blue freedom .
But freedom requires sacrifice , putting the “ we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all have to understand that this ( pandemic ) thing is bigger than any of us , ” said Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg , who elected to play ball despite a personal medical history of autoimmune disease .
“ If it ’ s a little bit of an inconvenience for me to wear a mask to protect somebody else , I ’ m going to do that .
We all kind of have to take ourselves out of the equation a little bit , kind of take our egos out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fourth of July ever at Coors Field began for me at the front gate , when a security guard pointed a thermometer like a gun at my forehead and uttered the last words anyone wants to hear in these crazy coronavirus times : “ Your temperature is running a little high.
” Well , there ’ s nothing like a little COVID paranoia to spike the blood pressure on a summer morning .
But after removing my cap and taking two deep breaths , a second temperature reading that fell within safety parameters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box , where I saw Denver Post colleague Patrick Saunders , as well as fine baseball journalists Nick Groke and Thomas Harding , for the first time since way back on March 13 , when coronavirus shut down baseball and sent us scurrying from spring training in Arizona .
Please don ’ t tell Patrick , Nick or Thomas , but I missed their bad puns and advanced metrics , maybe in the way you ’ ve missed hugging your grandma or bragging about your fantasy team with co-workers at the office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we took for granted that this pandemic has taken away , like singing loudly off key to the lyrics of “ Your Love ” when Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon steps into the batter ’ s box .
After recently being diagnosed with COVID-19 , Chuck Nazty has not yet been cleared to join his teammates at summer camp .
“ Hearing Chuck got it made me pretty sad , ” Wolters said .
Want to stop the spread of sadness ?
Wear a mask .
Want sports and your freedom back ?
Wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , the Rockies got back to work , showing the new definition of America patriotism :

With no star-spangled fireworks and no big crowd buzz on the Fourth of July, the crack of a ball off the bat sounded lonely echoing off empty seats in the ballpark on Blake Street.
Baseball was back in LoDo, where the Rockies opened summer camp on Saturday. But a return to normalcy? Not even close. We’ve got a long road back to normal.
Colorado players walked on the field for batting practice wearing masks. As infielders took grounders, the ball carefully deposited in a bag after every throw to first base, dreams of playing in the World Series took a backseat to something far more basic in these COVID-19 times: staying healthy.
“You realize people are dying from this every day. And they still don’t know what the long-term effects are of this coronavirus. It’s kind of scary,” Rockies catcher Tony Wolters said.
At last count, more than 130,000 Americans have died during a pandemic that still isn’t being taken seriously by far too many people in far too many places across this country. “This thing is nothing to mess with,” said Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who knows family friends back in Texas who have been stricken and recovered from the virus.
While it will be sweet to see Nolan Arenado blast a two-run homer off Clayton Kershaw, maybe the best service baseball can provide in 2020 is remind us that if we want to see a World Series champ crowned this autumn or anything close to normalcy during the remainder of this calendar year, it’s going to require far more teamwork than the country has shown in the battle against this virus.
If we’re still blind to the fact there won’t be anything normal about this major-league season, here’s another clue: During games, while working behind the plate in the heat of summer, Wolters hopes to wear a protective mask beneath all his other catching gear.
“I don’t want to get the virus,” he said.
If Wolters can wear a mask to his sweaty, dirty job, what’s your excuse not to wear one, whether you’re a house-painter, a pitcher or the president of the United States?
Story grew up with a bat and glove. He’s learning to make the mask a standard part of his uniform and never go anywhere without it. “The new norm is to have it in your back pocket,” Story said.
The Fourth of July is a celebration of baseball and BBQ, not to mention red, white and true blue freedom. But freedom requires sacrifice, putting the “we” before the “me.”
“We all have to understand that this (pandemic) thing is bigger than any of us,” said Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg, who elected to play ball despite a personal medical history of autoimmune disease. “If it’s a little bit of an inconvenience for me to wear a mask to protect somebody else, I’m going to do that. We all kind of have to take ourselves out of the equation a little bit, kind of take our egos out of it.”
The weirdness of the weirdest Fourth of July ever at Coors Field began for me at the front gate, when a security guard pointed a thermometer like a gun at my forehead and uttered the last words anyone wants to hear in these crazy coronavirus times: “Your temperature is running a little high.”
Well, there’s nothing like a little COVID paranoia to spike the blood pressure on a summer morning.
But after removing my cap and taking two deep breaths, a second temperature reading that fell within safety parameters allowed me admittance to the Coors press box, where I saw Denver Post colleague Patrick Saunders, as well as fine baseball journalists Nick Groke and Thomas Harding, for the first time since way back on March 13, when coronavirus shut down baseball and sent us scurrying from spring training in Arizona.
Please don’t tell Patrick, Nick or Thomas, but I missed their bad puns and advanced metrics, maybe in the way you’ve missed hugging your grandma or bragging about your fantasy team with co-workers at the office. It’s all the small things we took for granted that this pandemic has taken away, like singing loudly off key to the lyrics of “Your Love” when Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon steps into the batter’s box.
After recently being diagnosed with COVID-19, Chuck Nazty has not yet been cleared to join his teammates at summer camp. “Hearing Chuck got it made me pretty sad,” Wolters said.
Want to stop the spread of sadness? Wear a mask.
Want sports and your freedom back? Wear a mask.
Care about your neighbor? Wear a mask.
On this Fourth of July, the Rockies got back to work, showing the new definition of America patriotism:
Real men wear masks.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--PHOTOS: Fourth of July fireworks in Berthoud, Colorado

Photos by Valerie Mosley , Special to the Denver Post Fireworks explode over Waggener Farm Park on July 3 , @ @ @ @ @ .
The town launched fireworks higher into the sky this year so more people could @ @ @ @ @ encourage social distancing .

Valerie Mosley, Special to the Denver Post
Fireworks explode over Waggener Farm Park on July 3, 2020 in Berthoud. The town launched fireworks higher into the sky this year so more people could see them from home to encourage social distancing.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Catcher Tony Wolters becomes Rockies’ go-to guy during season of coronavirus

Catcher Tony Wolters is the glue keeping the Rockies together , now more than ever .
In the months after spring training was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic , it was Wolters who offered up his services , often at a moment ’ s notice , when pitchers called him for a pitch-and-catch session .
Playing catcher is one of the toughest , dirtiest , and sometimes , most thankless , jobs in sports , but you can bet Wolters is appreciated by his teammates .
“ Tony was a blessing to be around during this shutdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rockies held their first full-scale workout of summer camp at Coors Field .
“ He ’ s such a positive guy who always does what he can to help us pitchers out .
It could be anything and Tony would always be willing to help .
He ’ s a special dude.
” Gray , along with German Marquez , Jeff Hoffman , Wade Davis , Kyle Freeland and others who worked out in Scottsdale , Ariz. , following the March 13 shutdown , relied on Wolters to be there for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are pretty used to that , ” Wolters said .
“ At the same time , I was trying to keep myself healthy .
… But I thought I was able to catch and was able to talk about baseball with the guys as much as ( I could ) throughout this pandemic .
So I felt like we had a good thing going in Arizona with the groups we had.
” Bullpen coach Daryl Scott owns a portable , wooden pitching mound and it came in handy .
The Rockies loaded it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hauled it to a neighborhood park for small-group practice sessions .
There were a lot of protocols that Wolters and his teammates followed .
“ Make sure you clean off the mound , make sure you sanitize the gear , ” Wolters said .
As a catcher , Wolters understands that he could be more susceptible to the virus than players at other positions .
So , in addition to the body armor he wears behind the plate to ward off foul tips and wild pitches , he ’ s seeking extra precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been testing out different masks that I can wear under my helmet , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t want to get the virus .
I don ’ t want to give my family the virus or anything .
“ I know that there is going to be a little more contact with catchers — touching the baseball all of the time , hitters coming up and the umpire behind you .
So that ’ s definitely been on the back of my mind.
” Still , Wolters made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic turned the world upside down .
“ I knew it could go both ways , but I took the positive route , ” he said .
“ I said , ‘ I ’ m going to use this to my advantage .
I ’ m going to get strong and I ’ m going to be more flexible.
’ I was going to use the time to get my body even more ready than it was.
” Coors advantage ?
Late-game reliever Scott Oberg was asked Saturday if the 60-game season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interesting take .
“ I think it will play well for us , ” Oberg said .
“ It ’ s a unique situation in the sense that we actually get to practice in our home ballpark and in our home altitude , really for the first time .
“ In prior years we are always doing our spring training in Arizona and then usually start ( the season ) on the road for a week .
So we kind of get hit in the face by the altitude a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having these three weeks here is actually going to be beneficial for our pitchers .
”

Catcher Tony Wolters is the glue keeping the Rockies together, now more than ever.
In the months after spring training was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was Wolters who offered up his services, often at a moment’s notice, when pitchers called him for a pitch-and-catch session.
Playing catcher is one of the toughest, dirtiest, and sometimes, most thankless, jobs in sports, but you can bet Wolters is appreciated by his teammates.
“Tony was a blessing to be around during this shutdown,” starter Jon Gray said Saturday as the Rockies held their first full-scale workout of summer camp at Coors Field. “He’s such a positive guy who always does what he can to help us pitchers out. It could be anything and Tony would always be willing to help. He’s a special dude.”
Gray, along with German Marquez, Jeff Hoffman, Wade Davis, Kyle Freeland and others who worked out in Scottsdale, Ariz., following the March 13 shutdown, relied on Wolters to be there for them.
“As a catcher, you are pretty used to that,” Wolters said. “At the same time, I was trying to keep myself healthy. … But I thought I was able to catch and was able to talk about baseball with the guys as much as (I could) throughout this pandemic. So I felt like we had a good thing going in Arizona with the groups we had.”
Bullpen coach Daryl Scott owns a portable, wooden pitching mound and it came in handy. The Rockies loaded it into the back of their trucks and hauled it to a neighborhood park for small-group practice sessions.
There were a lot of protocols that Wolters and his teammates followed.
“Make sure you clean off the mound, make sure you sanitize the gear,” Wolters said.
As a catcher, Wolters understands that he could be more susceptible to the virus than players at other positions. So, in addition to the body armor he wears behind the plate to ward off foul tips and wild pitches, he’s seeking extra precautions against an invisible enemy.
“I have been testing out different masks that I can wear under my helmet,” he said. “I don’t want to get the virus. I don’t want to give my family the virus or anything.
“I know that there is going to be a little more contact with catchers — touching the baseball all of the time, hitters coming up and the umpire behind you. So that’s definitely been on the back of my mind.”
Still, Wolters made a conscious choice to stay upbeat when the pandemic turned the world upside down.
“I knew it could go both ways, but I took the positive route,” he said. “I said, ‘I’m going to use this to my advantage. I’m going to get strong and I’m going to be more flexible.’ I was going to use the time to get my body even more ready than it was.”
Coors advantage? Late-game reliever Scott Oberg was asked Saturday if the 60-game season could help Rockies pitchers. He provided an interesting take.
“I think it will play well for us,” Oberg said. “It’s a unique situation in the sense that we actually get to practice in our home ballpark and in our home altitude, really for the first time.
“In prior years we are always doing our spring training in Arizona and then usually start (the season) on the road for a week. So we kind of get hit in the face by the altitude a little bit when we come back home. So having these three weeks here is actually going to be beneficial for our pitchers.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Heritage’s Erik Olsen commits to CU Buffs, giving Karl Dorrell first major in-state recruiting win

Karl Dorrell just found another reason to celebrate on the Fourth of July , having scored his first major in-state recruiting win with the CU Buffs .
Erik Olsen , a Heritage High School product considered one of the top 25 senior tight ends in the nation , announced Saturday that he ’ s committing to the Buffs .
Rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and three-star get by 247Sports.com , the 6-foot-5 , 235-pound senior-to-be is the fifth member of Dorrell ’ s 2021 class and the second from Colorado , joining wideout Chase Penry out of Cherry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranked in the top 5 of 247Sports ’ composite rankings in Colorado to choose the Buffs since Cherry Creek ’ s Dimitri Stanley , the No .
3 prospect in the Class of 2018 , opted to join CU .
The site ’ s top 4 in-state prospects are all currently committed to programs elsewhere , with quarterback Jake Rubley out of Highlands Ranch pledged to Kansas State ; tackle Trey Zuhn out of Fossil Ridge pledged to Texas A & M ; Olsen ’ s Heritage teammate Terrance Ferguson pledged to Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cherokee Trail pledged to Ohio State .
The Heritage standout , who was the No .
22 tight end in the country in 247Sports ’ composite rankings , picked the Buffs over a final set of schools that included Notre Dame , Stanford , UCLA and Washington .
Olsen is one of four tight ends currently listed among Colorado ’ s best eight prospects for 2021 .
Of his 19 reported offers , seven were from Pac-12 schools , and 18 from Power 5 programs , including Georgia , Auburn , Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Olsen , who also fielded an offer from CSU , caught 28 passes for the Eagles last fall for 533 receiving yards , averaging 19 yards per grab .
He scored nine touchdowns , with one coming on the ground and eight through the air .
As a junior , Olsen finished second on the Heritage roster in points scored ( 54 ) and fifth in total yards per game ( 47.6 ) .
He announced June 27 via Twitter that the Buffs had made his final five after reportedly receiving an @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Karl Dorrell just found another reason to celebrate on the Fourth of July, having scored his first major in-state recruiting win with the CU Buffs.
Erik Olsen, a Heritage High School product considered one of the top 25 senior tight ends in the nation, announced Saturday that he’s committing to the Buffs.
Rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and three-star get by 247Sports.com, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound senior-to-be is the fifth member of Dorrell’s 2021 class and the second from Colorado, joining wideout Chase Penry out of Cherry Creek.
Olsen is the first prep ranked in the top 5 of 247Sports’ composite rankings in Colorado to choose the Buffs since Cherry Creek’s Dimitri Stanley, the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2018, opted to join CU.
The site’s top 4 in-state prospects are all currently committed to programs elsewhere, with quarterback Jake Rubley out of Highlands Ranch pledged to Kansas State; tackle Trey Zuhn out of Fossil Ridge pledged to Texas A&M; Olsen’s Heritage teammate Terrance Ferguson pledged to Oregon; and tight end Sam Hart out of Cherokee Trail pledged to Ohio State.
The Heritage standout, who was the No. 22 tight end in the country in 247Sports’ composite rankings, picked the Buffs over a final set of schools that included Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA and Washington. Olsen is one of four tight ends currently listed among Colorado’s best eight prospects for 2021.
Of his 19 reported offers, seven were from Pac-12 schools, and 18 from Power 5 programs, including Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ohio State and Nebraska.
Olsen, who also fielded an offer from CSU, caught 28 passes for the Eagles last fall for 533 receiving yards, averaging 19 yards per grab. He scored nine touchdowns, with one coming on the ground and eight through the air. As a junior, Olsen finished second on the Heritage roster in points scored (54) and fifth in total yards per game (47.6).
He announced June 27 via Twitter that the Buffs had made his final five after reportedly receiving an offer from Dorrell on April 19.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Kansas newspaper’s post equates mask mandate with Holocaust

TOPEKA , Kan. — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor ’ s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust .
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review ’ s Facebook page depicts Gov .
Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it , next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars .
Its caption is , “ Lockdown Laura says : Put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cattle car.
” The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday , the day that Kelly ’ s mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect .
It ’ s drawn several hundred comments , many of the strongly critical .
Publisher Dane Hicks , who is also Anderson County ’ s GOP chairman , told The Associated Press on Saturday that he would answer emailed questions about the cartoon once he could reach a computer .
His newspaper is based in the county seat of Garnett , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a circulation of about 2,100 , according to the Kansas Press Association .
Kelly , who is Catholic , issued a statement saying , “ Mr .
Hicks ’ decision to publish anti-Semitic imagery is deeply offensive and he should remove it immediately.
” Some Republicans have criticized Kelly ’ s order as infringing on personal liberties , though Kansas law allows counties to opt out and Anderson County has done so .
The governor issued the order because of resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that increased the state ’ s total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Kansas finished its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began .
The state has reported 277 COVID-19-related deaths .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
State GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman , spending the holiday in the Missouri Ozarks , did not immediately respond to a text containing the cartoon and seeking comment .
Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley , a Topeka Democrat , called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said anyone connected to its posting to be fired .
Hicks previously criticized Kelly in a blog post for taking a “ one-size-fits-all approach to reopening what he called the state ’ s “ bureaucracy-hammered ” economy .
Kelly lifted statewide restrictions on businesses and public gatherings on May 26 after weeks of criticism from the Republican-controlled Legislature that she was moving too slowly to reopen the state ’ s economy .
Anderson County , with about 7,900 residents , is part of a conservative swath of eastern Kansas .
Registered Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried it with nearly 73 % of the vote in 2016 .
The state health department has reported only four coronavirus cases for Anderson County , all of them since May 8 .
There have been no reported deaths there .
County Commission Chairman Jerry Howarter said of the more than 70 people who showed up to its meeting on the mask mandate Friday , all but one opposed it .
He said he had not seen the cartoon .

TOPEKA, Kan. — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor’s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust.
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review’s Facebook page depicts Gov. Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it, next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars. Its caption is, “Lockdown Laura says: Put on your mask … and step onto the cattle car.”
The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday, the day that Kelly’s mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect. It’s drawn several hundred comments, many of the strongly critical.
Publisher Dane Hicks, who is also Anderson County’s GOP chairman, told The Associated Press on Saturday that he would answer emailed questions about the cartoon once he could reach a computer. His newspaper is based in the county seat of Garnett, about 65 miles southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100, according to the Kansas Press Association.
Kelly, who is Catholic, issued a statement saying, “Mr. Hicks’ decision to publish anti-Semitic imagery is deeply offensive and he should remove it immediately.”
Some Republicans have criticized Kelly’s order as infringing on personal liberties, though Kansas law allows counties to opt out and Anderson County has done so.
The governor issued the order because of resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that increased the state’s total to nearly 16,000 as of Friday, when Kansas finished its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began. The state has reported 277 COVID-19-related deaths. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
State GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman, spending the holiday in the Missouri Ozarks, did not immediately respond to a text containing the cartoon and seeking comment.
Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, called the cartoon “appalling” and disgusting” and said anyone connected to its posting to be fired.
Hicks previously criticized Kelly in a blog post for taking a “one-size-fits-all approach to reopening what he called the state’s “bureaucracy-hammered” economy.
Kelly lifted statewide restrictions on businesses and public gatherings on May 26 after weeks of criticism from the Republican-controlled Legislature that she was moving too slowly to reopen the state’s economy.
Anderson County, with about 7,900 residents, is part of a conservative swath of eastern Kansas. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1 and President Donald Trump carried it with nearly 73% of the vote in 2016.
The state health department has reported only four coronavirus cases for Anderson County, all of them since May 8. There have been no reported deaths there.
County Commission Chairman Jerry Howarter said of the more than 70 people who showed up to its meeting on the mask mandate Friday, all but one opposed it. He said he had not seen the cartoon.


thedenverpost--2020-07-04--Two demonstrators face charges after Elijah McClain protest in Aurora early Saturday morning

Aurora police arrested or cited two people early Saturday morning during a protest calling for the firing of officers involved in the death of Elijah McClain .
The protest began Friday evening when demonstrators marched on the department ’ s District 1 station , where they declared they will peacefully remain until all of the officers involved in the 23-year-old ’ s death last year are fired .
Department spokesperson Matt Longshore said Aurora police didn ’ t spray the crowd with tear gas , smoke or pepper spray .
He did confirm that they did shoot about five foam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the crowd reportedly fired fireworks at the officers , he said .
About an hour later , two people were either arrested or cited on suspicion of obstructing a highway or passageway and failure to obey , Longshore confirmed .
He said identifying information about the two people — which he confirmed are adults — was not immediately available .
Longshore also could not say which roadway the people are accused of obstructing .
A third person was also detained for a time , but later released , Longshore said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another rally focusing on racial equality , among other things , is scheduled for Saturday night at Manual High School .

Aurora police arrested or cited two people early Saturday morning during a protest calling for the firing of officers involved in the death of Elijah McClain.
The protest began Friday evening when demonstrators marched on the department’s District 1 station, where they declared they will peacefully remain until all of the officers involved in the 23-year-old’s death last year are fired.
Department spokesperson Matt Longshore said Aurora police didn’t spray the crowd with tear gas, smoke or pepper spray. He did confirm that they did shoot about five foam rounds at demonstrators around 3:30 a.m. after members of the crowd reportedly fired fireworks at the officers, he said.
About an hour later, two people were either arrested or cited on suspicion of obstructing a highway or passageway and failure to obey, Longshore confirmed. He said identifying information about the two people — which he confirmed are adults — was not immediately available.
Longshore also could not say which roadway the people are accused of obstructing.
A third person was also detained for a time, but later released, Longshore said.
Additional information was not immediately available. Another rally focusing on racial equality, among other things, is scheduled for Saturday night at Manual High School.