thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Nolan Arenado feels “disrespected” as Rockies GM Jeff Bridich nixes trade talks

On the same day Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich put the brakes on the Nolan Arenado trade rumors , the all-star third baseman broke his silence Monday saying he felt “ disrespected.
” Bridich made it clear that Arenado will be with the Rockies when they open spring training next month in Scottsdale , Ariz .
He also made it clear that , at least for now , trade talks are off the table .
“ With the season coming up and spring training on the horizon , we are going to start focusing on that , ” Bridich said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding Nolan and really nothing has come of it .
We are going to move forward pretty much as we expected — with Nolan in the purple and black and as our third baseman .
“ So we can put this to bed and collectively look forward to the upcoming season and work toward that.
” Asked about Bridich ’ s comments , Arenado said : “ I really don ’ t care what ’ s being said .
I just know that I feel disrespected over there.
” Arenado declined to elaborate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but said it was more than just about the trade talk .
The trade rumors , which began as a whisper during baseball ’ s winter meetings in early December , picked up steam this month on a national level .
Arenado , 28 , signed an eight-year , $ 260 million deal last February , so he ’ s still owed $ 234 million for seven years .
The seven-time Gold Glove winner and five-time all-star can opt out of his contract after the 2021 season , meaning that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years if the Rockies fail to put a winning product on the field .
Arenado ’ s contract also contains a full no-trade clause , meaning he can reject a trade to a team he doesn ’ t like .
Sources had previously told The Denver Post that a trade happening before spring was unlikely , but those same sources stressed that if the Rockies did not play well in the first half of the 2020 season a trade would become more likely after the all-star break .
Various reports have tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinals , Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves , but sources told The Post that the Rockies ’ asking price was very high for a player already considered one of the best third basemen in baseball history .
When Arenado signed his new contract last year , he was filled with optimism .
“ I love this group , and that ’ s why I committed here , ” Arenado said .
“ I ’ m comfortable here and it feels right with this young group we have .
The grass isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I really believe we can win .
I wouldn ’ t make this decision if I didn ’ t believe that .
I ’ m here for the long haul.
” However , after making the playoffs in 2017-18 , the Rockies stumbled to a 71-91 record last season , clearly frustrating Arenado .
“ How do I evaluate this team ?
We ’ re behind , ” he told The Denver Post in mid-September .
“ We ’ re going to lose close to 90-some games .
And that wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wasn ’ t the goal .
”

On the same day Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich put the brakes on the Nolan Arenado trade rumors, the all-star third baseman broke his silence Monday saying he felt “disrespected.”
Bridich made it clear that Arenado will be with the Rockies when they open spring training next month in Scottsdale, Ariz. He also made it clear that, at least for now, trade talks are off the table.
“With the season coming up and spring training on the horizon, we are going to start focusing on that,” Bridich said. “We have listened to teams regarding Nolan and really nothing has come of it. We are going to move forward pretty much as we expected — with Nolan in the purple and black and as our third baseman.
“So we can put this to bed and collectively look forward to the upcoming season and work toward that.”
Asked about Bridich’s comments, Arenado said: “I really don’t care what’s being said. I just know that I feel disrespected over there.”
Arenado declined to elaborate on what he meant by “disrespected,” but said it was more than just about the trade talk.
The trade rumors, which began as a whisper during baseball’s winter meetings in early December, picked up steam this month on a national level.
Arenado, 28, signed an eight-year, $260 million deal last February, so he’s still owed $234 million for seven years. The seven-time Gold Glove winner and five-time all-star can opt out of his contract after the 2021 season, meaning that a trade remains a possibility over the next two years if the Rockies fail to put a winning product on the field.
Arenado’s contract also contains a full no-trade clause, meaning he can reject a trade to a team he doesn’t like.
Sources had previously told The Denver Post that a trade happening before spring was unlikely, but those same sources stressed that if the Rockies did not play well in the first half of the 2020 season a trade would become more likely after the all-star break.
Various reports have tied an Arenado trade to the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves, but sources told The Post that the Rockies’ asking price was very high for a player already considered one of the best third basemen in baseball history.
When Arenado signed his new contract last year, he was filled with optimism.
“I love this group, and that’s why I committed here,” Arenado said. “I’m comfortable here and it feels right with this young group we have. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and I really believe we can win. I wouldn’t make this decision if I didn’t believe that. I’m here for the long haul.”
However, after making the playoffs in 2017-18, the Rockies stumbled to a 71-91 record last season, clearly frustrating Arenado.
“How do I evaluate this team? We’re behind,” he told The Denver Post in mid-September. “We’re going to lose close to 90-some games. And that wasn’t the plan when I signed, that wasn’t the goal.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Remembering MLK: Thousands march in Denver’s 35th Annual Marade

Ralph Green lost his left leg in a Brooklyn , N.Y. , drive-by shooting when he was 15 years old , but that didn ’ t stop him from traversing three miles on crutches during the Martin Luther King Jr. Marade on Monday .
“ It ’ s definitely important to be here .
We ’ re remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , ” said Green , 42 .
“ We ’ re here to promote awareness of equality.
” Green was one of tens of thousands of people who participated in Denver ’ s 35th Annual Martin Luther @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waved placards as they wound their way down Colfax Avenue .
Some people rode in motorized wheel chairs and many elderly people and small children joined in as well .
A full day of events began at City Park where dignitaries including Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke and prayed .
If it hadn ’ t been for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , Hancock said , he never would have made it out of his childhood home in the Five Points neighborhood to become mayor .
“ Act like you ’ re heirs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hancock , who said he was inspired and a beneficiary of King ’ s life and actions .
“ He stood in the gap for me .
He stood in the gap for you.
” The program began near the “ I Have a Dream ” monument in City Park .
Flowers encircled a small sitting area for speakers , pastors and politicians at the park .
The purple carnations recalled King ’ s favorite color .
Tiny white flowers represented peace , said Shyretta Hudnall , a member of the Dr. Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lisa Ward tirelessly held a large poster of King above her head as she listened to speeches .
She also wore a T-shirt emblazoned with King ’ s image .
She was surrounded by family members and friends .
“ I feel joyful , ” Ward , of Denver , said .
“ We all came together , ” Aditi Ramaswami held up a placard that said Asian Communities Together .
King represented all people , she said .
“ It wasn ’ t just for civil rights for black people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all people who claim this country as theirs , ” Ramaswami said .
The crowd included several people carrying campaign signs for various political candidates .
Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter , national campaign chairman for Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg , attended the City Park program .
“ We ’ re campaigning in a lot of states that other Democratic candidates are not , ” Nutter said .
The Marade proceeded to Civic Center , where a concluding program featured several people singing , dancing and giving speeches .
Before Eldrin Bell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave the keynote address , his son , Justin Guarini , who came in second place behind superstar Kelly Clarkson in the debut American Idol in 2002 , sang .
Guarini said that his father is one of the “ old guard ” who fought for civil rights in King ’ s time .
“ It ’ s obviously important to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr .
But I ’ m also here to celebrate the legacy of my father , ” Guarini said .
When he spoke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
Shortly after King was assassinated in Memphis , Tenn. , on April 4 , 1968 , Bell , then a young police officer , guarded King ’ s body so it wouldn ’ t be desecrated .
Over a span of 12 hours in an Atlanta cemetery Bell had a lot to say to King , he said .
Though King could not reply , Bell spoke to him through the night .
Bell had a strong message for the audience that spilled across Civic Center .
He mentioned the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students .
A huge percentage of drop-outs end up in jail at a young age , he said .
He urged attendees to be active parents and grandparents so that they can help ensure that teens stay in school and excel in life .
Following his law enforcement career , Bell said he became a pastor .
The former police chief said he had gotten tired of keeping people in jail .
“ Now I ’ m trying to keep them out of hell , ” he said .

Ralph Green lost his left leg in a Brooklyn, N.Y., drive-by shooting when he was 15 years old, but that didn’t stop him from traversing three miles on crutches during the Martin Luther King Jr. Marade on Monday.
“It’s definitely important to be here. We’re remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Green, 42. “We’re here to promote awareness of equality.”
Green was one of tens of thousands of people who participated in Denver’s 35th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Marade. Marchers sang and waved placards as they wound their way down Colfax Avenue. Some people rode in motorized wheel chairs and many elderly people and small children joined in as well.
A full day of events began at City Park where dignitaries including Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke and prayed. If it hadn’t been for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Hancock said, he never would have made it out of his childhood home in the Five Points neighborhood to become mayor.
“Act like you’re heirs of the great dream,” implored Hancock, who said he was inspired and a beneficiary of King’s life and actions. “He stood in the gap for me. He stood in the gap for you.”
The program began near the “I Have a Dream” monument in City Park. Flowers encircled a small sitting area for speakers, pastors and politicians at the park. The purple carnations recalled King’s favorite color. Tiny white flowers represented peace, said Shyretta Hudnall, a member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission.
Lisa Ward tirelessly held a large poster of King above her head as she listened to speeches. She also wore a T-shirt emblazoned with King’s image. She was surrounded by family members and friends.
“I feel joyful,” Ward, of Denver, said. “We all came together,”
Aditi Ramaswami held up a placard that said Asian Communities Together. King represented all people, she said.
“It wasn’t just for civil rights for black people. It was for the civil rights for all people who claim this country as theirs,” Ramaswami said.
The crowd included several people carrying campaign signs for various political candidates. Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, national campaign chairman for Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, attended the City Park program.
“We’re campaigning in a lot of states that other Democratic candidates are not,” Nutter said.
The Marade proceeded to Civic Center, where a concluding program featured several people singing, dancing and giving speeches.
Before Eldrin Bell, the former police chief of Atlanta, gave the keynote address, his son, Justin Guarini, who came in second place behind superstar Kelly Clarkson in the debut American Idol in 2002,sang.
Guarini said that his father is one of the “old guard” who fought for civil rights in King’s time.
“It’s obviously important to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. But I’m also here to celebrate the legacy of my father,” Guarini said.
When he spoke, Bell recalled an important experience in his life.
Shortly after King was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968, Bell, then a young police officer, guarded King’s body so it wouldn’t be desecrated. Over a span of 12 hours in an Atlanta cemetery Bell had a lot to say to King, he said. Though King could not reply, Bell spoke to him through the night.
Bell had a strong message for the audience that spilled across Civic Center. He mentioned the high drop-out rate for African American high school students. A huge percentage of drop-outs end up in jail at a young age, he said.
He urged attendees to be active parents and grandparents so that they can help ensure that teens stay in school and excel in life.
Following his law enforcement career, Bell said he became a pastor. The former police chief said he had gotten tired of keeping people in jail.
“Now I’m trying to keep them out of hell,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--PHOTOS: Denver’s 35th annual Marade celebrates MLK Day

Berlynn Borne holds up pictures of Martin Luther King Jr , Malcolm X and other well-known figures from the Civil @ @ @ @ @ annual Marade in Denver on Jan. 20 , 2020 .
Borne says she has been @ @ @ @ @ and walks with the same pictures every year .

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Berlynn Borne holds up pictures of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and other well-known figures from the Civil Rights movement during the 35th annual Marade in Denver on Jan. 20, 2020. Borne says she has been to more than 20 marches and walks with the same pictures every year.


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--Unhealthy air quality expected for Denver metro area on Wednesday

Air quality in the seven-county metropolitan area is expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive people , and indoor burning @ @ @ @ @ officials urge motorists to limit driving .
An Action Day for Particulates was posted at @ @ @ @ @ Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the alert runs through 4 p.m. Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ : Adams , Arapahoe , Boulder , Broomfield , Denver , Douglas and Jefferson .
@ @ @ @ @ to be unhealthy for sensitive groups Tuesday in the Denver-metro area , before improving and @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday morning , according to Colorado Air Quality .
The sensitive group — people with @ @ @ @ @ older adults , and children — should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion .
The Winter @ @ @ @ @ coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the CDPHE and air pollution forecasts are @ @ @ @ @ through March 31 .

Air quality in the seven-county metropolitan area is expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive people, and indoor burning restrictions are posted and health officials urge motorists to limit driving.
An Action Day for Particulates was posted at 4 p.m. Tuesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the alert runs through 4 p.m. Wednesday. The seven counties are: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson.
Fine particulate concentrations are expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups Tuesday in the Denver-metro area, before improving and returning to the moderate category Wednesday morning, according to Colorado Air Quality.
The sensitive group — people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children — should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the CDPHE and air pollution forecasts are issued daily from October 31 through March 31.


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--Todd Helton sees Hall of Fame votes shoot up in second year on ballot

Todd Helton got to see a former teammate elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday .
And , if this year ’ s votes are any indication , the former Rockies first baseman ’ s time may not be too far off .
Helton saw his vote total increased by nearly 66 % in his second year on the ballot , with the left-handed slugger receiving 116 of 397 votes ( 29.1 % ) this year compared to 70 out of 425 ( 16.5 % ) in 2019 .
To make the Hall of Fame , a player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote .
Teammate Larry Walker became the first Rockies player to be elected to the Hall of Fame , finally bursting through the Coors Field stigma national writers have long put on Colorado stars .
That may very well pave the way for Helton next .
“ Hopefully this works for Todd , ” Walker said after Tuesday ’ s announcement on the MLB Network .
“ He ’ s very Hall of Fame worthy.
” Helton played his entire career with the Rockies , totaling 2,519 hits , 592 doubles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,406 RBIs in 17 seasons .
He won one National League batting title with a .372 average in 2000 , and led the league in slugging percentage ( .698 ) , on-base ( .463 ) and OPS ( 1.162 ) during the same season .
Helton finished in the top 10 of NL MVP voting three times ( 2000 , ’ 01 and ’ 03 ) , was a five-time all-star selection and won three Gold Gloves as a first baseman .

Todd Helton got to see a former teammate elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. And, if this year’s votes are any indication, the former Rockies first baseman’s time may not be too far off.
Helton saw his vote total increased by nearly 66% in his second year on the ballot, with the left-handed slugger receiving 116 of 397 votes (29.2%) this year compared to 70 out of 425 (16.5%) in 2019. To make the Hall of Fame, a player must receive at least 75% of the vote.
Teammate Larry Walker became the first Rockies player to be elected to the Hall of Fame, finally bursting through the Coors Field stigma national writers have long put on Colorado stars. That may very well pave the way for Helton next.
“The year I won MVP, I thought it was a great thing for Colorado Rockies players as well and took away that mess about playing there and the negatives that go into it,” Walker said after Tuesday’s announcement on the MLB Network. “Hopefully this does work for Todd. Obviously he’s very Hall of Fame Worthy.”
Helton played his entire career with the Rockies, totaling 2,519 hits, 592 doubles, 369 home runs, 1,401 runs and 1,406 RBIs in 17 seasons. He won one National League batting title with a .372 average in 2000, and led the league in slugging percentage (.698), on-base (.463) and OPS (1.162) during the same season.
Helton finished in the top 10 of NL MVP voting three times (2000, ’01 and ’03), was a five-time all-star selection and won three Gold Gloves as a first baseman.


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--Derek Jeter elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, misses unanimous pick by one vote

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter came within one vote of being a unanimous pick for the Hall of Fame while Larry Walker also earned baseball ’ s highest honor on Tuesday .
The longtime New York Yankees captain appeared on 396 of 397 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America , falling just shy of the standard set when longtime Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection last year .
Jeter ’ s 99.7 % moved above Ken Griffey Jr. ( 99.3 % ) for the second-highest .
It was not immediately known which voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was listed on all 219 ballots made public before the announcement .
The BBWAA will release additional ballots on Feb. 4 of writers who chose a public listing .
Walker appeared on 304 ballots , six above the 75 % needed , in his 10th and final appearance on the BBWAA ballot , up from 54.6 % last year .
Pitcher Curt Schilling was third with 278 votes ( 70 % ) in his eighth ballot appearance , an increase from 60.9 % but still 20 votes shy .
The steroids-tainted pair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barry Bonds ( 60.7 % ) both showed slight increases .
Bonds rose from 59.1 % last year and Clemens from 59.5 % .
Jeter and Walker will be inducted on July 26 at the Hall in Cooperstown along with catcher Ted Simmons and former players ’ association head Marvin Miller , who were voted in last month by the Hall ’ s Modern Era Committee .
A five-time World Series champion , Jeter became a face of baseball as he starred in the nation ’ s largest media market from 1995-2014 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year award in 1996 as the Yankees won the World Series for the first time since 1978 , then led New York to three straight titles from 1998-2000 , the only team to accomplish the feat since the 1972-74 Oakland Athletics .
A rebuilt Yankees added their 27th title in 2009 .
Jeter defined himself by moments more than numbers : his unexpected backhand flip from foul territory to throw out Oakland ’ s Jeremy Giambi in the 2001 AL Division Series ; his Mr. November home run in the 10th inning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series ; his face-first leap into the stands after catching a 12th-inning popup by Boston ’ s Trot Nixon in 2004 ; a home run into the left-field bleachers for his 3,000th hit as part of a career-best 5-for-5 game in 2011 ; a ninth-inning walkoff single in his final home game in 2014 ; a single in his last at-bat three days later that lifted his career average to .310 .
Drafted sixth overall in 1992 after he was spotted by Yankees scout Dick Grouch as a high school junior a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Phil Nevin ) , Cleveland ( Paul Shuey ) , ( Montreal ( B.J .
Wallace ) , Baltimore ( Jeffrey Hammonds ) and Cincinnati ( Chad Mottola ) .
He debuted for the Yankees on May 29 , 1995 , and was installed at shortstop the folliowing spring training by new manager Joe Torre .
Jeter became a 14-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner despite defensive metrics that were maligned .
He was appointed captain by owner George Steinbrenner in June 2003 , filling a position that had been open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1995 season .
He finished with 3,465 hits , 260 homers , 358 stolen bases and 1,311 RBIs , earning $ 266 million from the Yankees .
He was the ninth player elected to the Hall after playing exclusively for the Yankees , joining Lou Gehrig ( 1939 ) , Bill Dickey ( 1954 ) , Joe DiMaggio ( 1955 ) , Earle Combs ( 1970 ) , Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle ( 1974 ) , Phil Rizzuto ( 1994 ) and Rivera .
Jeter used some of his savings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September 2017 , becoming CEO .
Jettisoning veterans and going with low-priced youth in a way the Yankees never did , Jeter endured a pair of last-place finishes and the lowest home attendance in the major leagues .
Walker hit .313 with .383 homers , 1,311 RBIs and 230 stolen bases for Montreal ( 1989-94 ) , Colorado ( 1995-2004 ) and St. Louis ( 2004-05 ) , a five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner .
He led the major leagues in batting average in 1998 , 1999 and 2001 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ writers difficulty because he spent 9 1/2 seasons hitting at home in the thin air of Denver ’ s Coors Field .
Walker batted .381 with an 1.172 OPS and 154 home runs in 597 games at Coors and .282 with 229 homers and an .873 OPS in 1,391 games elsewhere , according to the Elias Sports Bureau .
He received just 20.3 % in his first ballot appearance in 2011 and dropped as low as 10.2 % in 2014 .
He rose to 21.9 % in 2017 before jumping to 34.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian-born player elected to the Hall after Ferguson Jenkins in 1991 .
Ballot holdovers could benefit next year , when the most prominent players eligible for the first time are Torii Hunter and Mark Buehrle .
The 2022 ballot will include David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez , who served a season-long suspension in 2014 for violations of the drug program and baseball ’ s collective bargaining agreement .

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter came within one vote of being a unanimous pick for the Hall of Fame while Larry Walker also earned baseball’s highest honor on Tuesday.
The longtime New York Yankees captain appeared on 396 of 397 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, falling just shy of the standard set when longtime Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection last year. Jeter’s 99.7% moved above Ken Griffey Jr. (99.3%) for the second-highest.
It was not immediately known which voter didn’t choose Jeter, who was listed on all 219 ballots made public before the announcement. The BBWAA will release additional ballots on Feb. 4 of writers who chose a public listing.
Walker appeared on 304 ballots, six above the 75% needed, in his 10th and final appearance on the BBWAA ballot, up from 54.6% last year.
Pitcher Curt Schilling was third with 278 votes (70%) in his eighth ballot appearance, an increase from 60.9% but still 20 votes shy. The steroids-tainted pair of Roger Clemens (61%) and Barry Bonds (60.7%) both showed slight increases. Bonds rose from 59.1% last year and Clemens from 59.5%.
Jeter and Walker will be inducted on July 26 at the Hall in Cooperstown along with catcher Ted Simmons and former players’ association head Marvin Miller, who were voted in last month by the Hall’s Modern Era Committee.
A five-time World Series champion, Jeter became a face of baseball as he starred in the nation’s largest media market from 1995-2014. He was the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1996 as the Yankees won the World Series for the first time since 1978, then led New York to three straight titles from 1998-2000, the only team to accomplish the feat since the 1972-74 Oakland Athletics. A rebuilt Yankees added their 27th title in 2009.
Jeter defined himself by moments more than numbers: his unexpected backhand flip from foul territory to throw out Oakland’s Jeremy Giambi in the 2001 AL Division Series; his Mr. November home run in the 10th inning that won Game 4 of the 2001 World Series; his face-first leap into the stands after catching a 12th-inning popup by Boston’s Trot Nixon in 2004; a home run into the left-field bleachers for his 3,000th hit as part of a career-best 5-for-5 game in 2011; a ninth-inning walkoff single in his final home game in 2014; a single in his last at-bat three days later that lifted his career average to .310.
Drafted sixth overall in 1992 after he was spotted by Yankees scout Dick Grouch as a high school junior a year earlier, Jeter was bypassed by Houston (Phil Nevin), Cleveland (Paul Shuey), (Montreal (B.J. Wallace), Baltimore (Jeffrey Hammonds) and Cincinnati (Chad Mottola). He debuted for the Yankees on May 29, 1995, and was installed at shortstop the folliowing spring training by new manager Joe Torre.
Jeter became a 14-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner despite defensive metrics that were maligned. He was appointed captain by owner George Steinbrenner in June 2003, filling a position that had been open since Don Mattingly’s retirement after the 1995 season. He finished with 3,465 hits, 260 homers, 358 stolen bases and 1,311 RBIs, earning $266 million from the Yankees.
He was the ninth player elected to the Hall after playing exclusively for the Yankees, joining Lou Gehrig (1939), Bill Dickey (1954), Joe DiMaggio (1955), Earle Combs (1970), Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle (1974), Phil Rizzuto (1994) and Rivera.
Jeter used some of his savings to join the group purchasing the Miami Marlins in September 2017, becoming CEO. Jettisoning veterans and going with low-priced youth in a way the Yankees never did, Jeter endured a pair of last-place finishes and the lowest home attendance in the major leagues.
Walker hit .313 with .383 homers, 1,311 RBIs and 230 stolen bases for Montreal (1989-94), Colorado (1995-2004) and St. Louis (2004-05), a five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner. He led the major leagues in batting average in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
Evaluating his offensive performance gave some baseball writers difficulty because he spent 9 1/2 seasons hitting at home in the thin air of Denver’s Coors Field. Walker batted .381 with an 1.172 OPS and 154 home runs in 597 games at Coors and .282 with 229 homers and an .873 OPS in 1,391 games elsewhere, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
He received just 20.3% in his first ballot appearance in 2011 and dropped as low as 10.2% in 2014. He rose to 21.9% in 2017 before jumping to 34.1% in 2018.
Walker became the second Canadian-born player elected to the Hall after Ferguson Jenkins in 1991.
Ballot holdovers could benefit next year, when the most prominent players eligible for the first time are Torii Hunter and Mark Buehrle. The 2022 ballot will include David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez, who served a season-long suspension in 2014 for violations of the drug program and baseball’s collective bargaining agreement.


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--20-year-old man convicted of robbing, injuring an 81-year-old woman in a bus stop attack on the vict

20-year-old man convicted of robbing, injuring an 81-year-old woman in a bus stop attack on the victim’s birthday

A 20-year-old man is guilty of robbing an 81-year-old woman as she waited for a bus in Denver on her @ @ @ @ @ convicted Friday by a Denver jury of robbing an at-risk person , identity theft and @ @ @ @ @ device , according to the District Attorney ’ s Office .
On Jan. 14 , @ @ @ @ @ waiting for an RTD bus at South Monaco Street and East Dakota Avenue when Poot-Baca @ @ @ @ @ box , according to a news release .
Poot-Baca pushed the victim to the ground @ @ @ @ @ He ran away .
The victim flagged down a couple of people for help .
@ @ @ @ @ victim ’ s cell phone was in the stolen purse , the release said .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s credit cards for online purchases as well as an attempt to buy Air @ @ @ @ @ store .
Poot-Baca is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20 .

A 20-year-old man is guilty of robbing an 81-year-old woman as she waited for a bus in Denver on her birthday.
Christopher Poot-Baca was convicted Friday by a Denver jury of robbing an at-risk person, identity theft and criminal possession of a financial device, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
On Jan. 14, 2019, the victim was waiting for an RTD bus at South Monaco Street and East Dakota Avenue when Poot-Baca grabbed her purse and lunch box, according to a news release. Poot-Baca pushed the victim to the ground, fracturing her kneecap. He ran away.
The victim flagged down a couple of people for help. They called 911 because the victim’s cell phone was in the stolen purse, the release said.
Poot-Baca later used the victim’s credit cards for online purchases as well as an attempt to buy Air Jordan shoes at a Lakewood store.
Poot-Baca is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20.


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Erik Underwood, former Colorado governor candidate, running for U.S. Senate

Erik Underwood , a Denver Democrat who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018 , announced Tuesday that he is running for U.S. Senate this year .
Underwood , 40 , is a former Republican and was a staffer for former U.S. Sen. George Voinovich , an Ohio Republican .
He says his time in Washington showed him how to get things done .
“ I ’ m the only candidate who has ever worked in the United States Senate , ” Underwood said of the large Democratic field .
“ John Hickenlooper has never worked in the United States Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Senate .
I have.
” Underwood said he considers the 2020 election to be a pivotal moment in American history .
He researched the other Democratic candidates in search of someone to support but found them to be unsuitable .
“ It ’ s a bunch of people who say , ‘ Hey , I want to be a U.S. senator ’ but don ’ t understand the job , ” Underwood said .
He believes many of his fellow Democratic candidates lack plans to accomplish , and pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a top issue for Underwood .
He says a national lottery would fund free college education and student loan debt relief .
He would fund a public option for health care with a pennies-per-trade tax on Wall Street transactions , he says .
On the topic of guns , Underwood supports red-flag laws , universal background checks , and a ban on assault rifles .
“ I ’ m going to the United States Senate to be a leader , not a follower , ” Underwood said .
“ You can expect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States Senate .
”

Erik Underwood, a Denver Democrat who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018, announced Tuesday that he is running for U.S. Senate this year.
Underwood, 40, is a former Republican and was a staffer for former U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, an Ohio Republican. He says his time in Washington showed him how to get things done.
“I’m the only candidate who has ever worked in the United States Senate,” Underwood said of the large Democratic field. “John Hickenlooper has never worked in the United States Senate. Andrew Romanoff has never worked in the United States Senate. I have.”
Underwood said he considers the 2020 election to be a pivotal moment in American history. He researched the other Democratic candidates in search of someone to support but found them to be unsuitable.
“It’s a bunch of people who say, ‘Hey, I want to be a U.S. senator’ but don’t understand the job,” Underwood said. He believes many of his fellow Democratic candidates lack plans to accomplish, and pay for, their policy goals.
Education is a top issue for Underwood. He says a national lottery would fund free college education and student loan debt relief. He would fund a public option for health care with a pennies-per-trade tax on Wall Street transactions, he says. On the topic of guns, Underwood supports red-flag laws, universal background checks, and a ban on assault rifles.
“I’m going to the United States Senate to be a leader, not a follower,” Underwood said. “You can expect to see me in leadership in the United States Senate.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Guest Commentary: State’s journalists gain much-needed legal firepower

It ’ s the First Amendment crisis you probably haven ’ t heard about , lawyer and former newspaper reporter David Snyder wrote in an article for Law.com .
With their resources diminished , local news organizations across the country are waging far fewer legal battles than in the past .
The consequences ?
“ A profound negative effect on the public ’ s access to public records and meetings , and on the ability of journalists to simply do their jobs , ” Snyder observed .
There was a time , more than a decade ago and earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News and The Gazette in Colorado Springs would readily go to court to challenge a wrongful denial of public access to government records or proceedings or to force the disclosure of sealed documents .
Litigation is how The Post obtained more than 900 pages of journals and other records seized from the homes of the Columbine killers , and it ’ s how the newspaper opened the records of the nonprofit created by Denver to oversee development of the former Stapleton Airport land .
It ’ s how the Rocky and Post obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages sent by public officials , and it ’ s how The Gazette pried loose records about malfeasance involving an El Paso County sheriff ’ s deputy .
These days , owing to economic pressures , Colorado news organizations rarely file freedom-of-information lawsuits .
Two noteworthy exceptions : The Colorado Independent ’ s effort ( handled pro bono ) to unseal court records alleging misconduct in the prosecution of a death-row inmate and the Boulder Daily Camera ’ s civil action against the University of Colorado regents for releasing the name and job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the CU president ’ s job , even though multiple applicants were considered for the position .
Because there are far fewer lawsuits than in the past to unearth the public ’ s records , Coloradans are sometimes deprived of information we need to be engaged in our communities and hold our public servants accountable .
But now there is good news to report : Soon we can expect more of this kind of legal activity on behalf of Colorado journalists – and , by extension , the communities they inform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press , a national organization that works to protect journalists ’ First Amendment and newsgathering rights , just announced it will hire and place a pro bono attorney in Colorado for at least two years , starting this summer , to support local enterprise and investigative journalism .
The Reporters Committee received 50 applications for its Local Legal Initiative and chose five winners across the country .
In its joint application with the Colorado Press Association , the Colorado Broadcasters Association and the Colorado Media Project , the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free – legal firepower would help news organizations in our state challenge transparency barriers such as the withholding of police body camera footage and claims that public employees ’ text messages discussing public business aren ’ t public records .
“ Colorado journalists face a number of legal issues , including high fees for obtaining public records and the misuse of exceptions and exclusions in the public records law to deny requests , ” says a Reporters Committee statement on why Colorado was selected .
Litigation is a tool of last resort when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s an especially important tool in Colorado because no other remedy exists in the state ’ s open records and open meetings laws – many other states offer an administrative appeals process .
Also , it ’ s no longer a crime to “ willfully and knowingly ” violate the Colorado Open Records Act ( though no government official was ever prosecuted for this misdemeanor in the half-century it was on the books ) .
With a full-time , pro bono lawyer here to take on systemic abuses of our sunshine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more information will become available to help us fulfill our roles as citizens .
The Reporters Committee will decide which cases to file after consulting with local partners .
“ We are eager to expand our legal services to help more local journalists pursue stories that inform and strengthen their communities , ” said Bruce Brown , the organization ’ s executive director .
In an ideal world , journalists in Colorado wouldn ’ t need help from the Reporters Committee because our government institutions would always be open and accountable .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If it were , CFOIC ’ s freedom-of-information hotline wouldn ’ t be so busy .
“ History has shown that when journalists are supported by competent , experienced counsel , First Amendment freedoms thrive , ” Snyder wrote .
“ Indeed , it is arguably only through this journalist-lawyer relationship at the local level that the right to free speech , a free press and government transparency can fully flower.
” Jeffrey A. Roberts is executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition .
He formerly was a reporter and editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

It’s the First Amendment crisis you probably haven’t heard about, lawyer and former newspaper reporter David Snyder wrote in an article for Law.com. With their resources diminished, local news organizations across the country are waging far fewer legal battles than in the past.
The consequences? “A profound negative effect on the public’s access to public records and meetings, and on the ability of journalists to simply do their jobs,” Snyder observed.
There was a time, more than a decade ago and earlier, when The Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News and The Gazette in Colorado Springs would readily go to court to challenge a wrongful denial of public access to government records or proceedings or to force the disclosure of sealed documents.
Litigation is how The Post obtained more than 900 pages of journals and other records seized from the homes of the Columbine killers, and it’s how the newspaper opened the records of the nonprofit created by Denver to oversee development of the former Stapleton Airport land. It’s how the Rocky and Post obtained a precedent-setting ruling about the redaction of messages sent by public officials, and it’s how The Gazette pried loose records about malfeasance involving an El Paso County sheriff’s deputy.
These days, owing to economic pressures, Colorado news organizations rarely file freedom-of-information lawsuits. Two noteworthy exceptions: The Colorado Independent’s effort (handled pro bono) to unseal court records alleging misconduct in the prosecution of a death-row inmate and the Boulder Daily Camera’s civil action against the University of Colorado regents for releasing the name and job application of only one “finalist” for the CU president’s job, even though multiple applicants were considered for the position.
Because there are far fewer lawsuits than in the past to unearth the public’s records, Coloradans are sometimes deprived of information we need to be engaged in our communities and hold our public servants accountable.
But now there is good news to report: Soon we can expect more of this kind of legal activity on behalf of Colorado journalists – and, by extension, the communities they inform. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a national organization that works to protect journalists’ First Amendment and newsgathering rights, just announced it will hire and place a pro bono attorney in Colorado for at least two years, starting this summer, to support local enterprise and investigative journalism.
The Reporters Committee received 50 applications for its Local Legal Initiative and chose five winners across the country. In its joint application with the Colorado Press Association, the Colorado Broadcasters Association and the Colorado Media Project, the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition made the case that additional – and free – legal firepower would help news organizations in our state challenge transparency barriers such as the withholding of police body camera footage and claims that public employees’ text messages discussing public business aren’t public records.
“Colorado journalists face a number of legal issues, including high fees for obtaining public records and the misuse of exceptions and exclusions in the public records law to deny requests,” says a Reporters Committee statement on why Colorado was selected.
Litigation is a tool of last resort when fighting a denial of access, but it’s an especially important tool in Colorado because no other remedy exists in the state’s open records and open meetings laws – many other states offer an administrative appeals process. Also, it’s no longer a crime to “willfully and knowingly” violate the Colorado Open Records Act (though no government official was ever prosecuted for this misdemeanor in the half-century it was on the books).
With a full-time, pro bono lawyer here to take on systemic abuses of our sunshine laws, we can be encouraged that more information will become available to help us fulfill our roles as citizens.
The Reporters Committee will decide which cases to file after consulting with local partners. “We are eager to expand our legal services to help more local journalists pursue stories that inform and strengthen their communities,” said Bruce Brown, the organization’s executive director.
In an ideal world, journalists in Colorado wouldn’t need help from the Reporters Committee because our government institutions would always be open and accountable. But that’s not the reality. If it were, CFOIC’s freedom-of-information hotline wouldn’t be so busy.
“History has shown that when journalists are supported by competent, experienced counsel, First Amendment freedoms thrive,” Snyder wrote. “Indeed, it is arguably only through this journalist-lawyer relationship at the local level that the right to free speech, a free press and government transparency can fully flower.”
Jeffrey A. Roberts is executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. He formerly was a reporter and editor at The Denver Post.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Photos from the Hall of Fame career of former Rockies outfielder Larry Walker

Colorado Rockies Larry Walker watches his hit leave the park over the left field wall for a home run in @ @ @ @ @ the Rockies within one run of the Indians at Coors Field on June 16 , @ @ @ @ @ on for the 5-4 win over the Rockies and take two games of three .

John Leyba, The Denver Post
Colorado Rockies Larry Walker watches his hit leave the park over the left field wall for a home run in the 7th inning to bring the Rockies within one run of the Indians at Coors Field on June 16, 2002. The Indians held on for the 5-4 win over the Rockies and take two games of three.


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--In first year, Denver Superintendent Susana Cordova tried to find common ground in a divided distric

In first year, Denver Superintendent Susana Cordova tried to find common ground in a divided district

Susana Cordova ’ s first year as superintendent of Denver schools was marked by what one observer called a “ torrent of change.
” A month after she took office last January , the Denver teachers union went on strike for the first time in a quarter-century .
To pay for the raises teachers won , Cordova in March slashed more than 200 positions from the district ’ s central office .
And a historic election in November delivered her a new boss : a school board controlled for the first time by union-backed members .
Cordova , 53 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which combines deep listening with a disarming yearn for collaboration , was viewed by many as a refreshing change from years past .
“ I feel like our lines of communication are very open , ” said Tiffany Choi , president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association , which historically had a contentious relationship with the district .
But when it comes to whether Cordova is leading the district in a better direction , many supporters and critics alike are taking a wait-and-see approach .
With 93,000 students and more than 10,000 full-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proverbially , a big ship to turn .
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues .
For more , visit chalkbeat.org/co .

Susana Cordova’s first year as superintendent of Denver schools was marked by what one observer called a “torrent of change.” A month after she took office last January, the Denver teachers union went on strike for the first time in a quarter-century.
To pay for the raises teachers won, Cordova in March slashed more than 200 positions from the district’s central office. And a historic election in November delivered her a new boss: a school board controlled for the first time by union-backed members.
Cordova, 53, weathered the changes. Her style, which combines deep listening with a disarming yearn for collaboration, was viewed by many as a refreshing change from years past.
“I feel like our lines of communication are very open,” said Tiffany Choi, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, which historically had a contentious relationship with the district.
But when it comes to whether Cordova is leading the district in a better direction, many supporters and critics alike are taking a wait-and-see approach. With 93,000 students and more than 10,000 full-time employees, Denver Public Schools is, proverbially, a big ship to turn.
Read more at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit chalkbeat.org/co.


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Larry Walker elected to Baseball Hall of Fame; 1st Rockies player headed to Cooperstown

Tuesday , he became an immortal when he was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his 10th and final year on the ballot .
When Walker is formally inducted July 26 in Cooperstown , N.Y. , he will be the first Rockies player ever enshrined .
Walker , 53 , received 304 votes and cleared the 75 % required for election with 76.6 % of the vote .
He cleared the bar by just six notes .
First baseman Todd Helton , who played his entire 17 years in Colorado , garnered 29.2 % ( 116 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot .
Walker , a native of Maple Ridge , British Columbia , grew up wanting to be a professional hockey player , but his natural baseball skills were something to behold .
Walker became only the second Canadian-born player elected to the Hall along with Fergie Jenkins , a Chatham , Ontario , native who was inducted in 1991 .
Walker hit for power and average , ran the bases like a greyhound and won seven Gold Gloves as a right fielder .
During his prime with the Rockies , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true five-tool player .
“ An amazing talent , ” said Walt Weiss , the former Rockies shortstop , and manager , who played with Walker from 1995-97 .
“ People always toss around the term ‘ five-tool player ’ pretty liberally , which they shouldn ’ t .
But I tell people that Larry was not only a five-tool player ; he was elite in all five categories.
” Walker , who began his career with the Montreal Expos in August 1989 , joined the Rockies as a free agent in 1995 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasons until he was traded to St. Louis in August 2004 .
Over 17 seasons , Walker hit .313 , had 383 home runs , 471 doubles and posted a .965 OPS .
He also stole 230 bases .
“ He was the most skilled player I ever coached or managed , ” said Clint Hurdle , who was Walker ’ s hitting coach and then his manager at Colorado .
“ I was blessed to play with ( Hall of Famer ) George Brett , who was the most skilled player I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see a lot of really good players in the 45 years I was in the game .
But Larry and George are at the top of the list .
… Larry was a magnificent ballplayer.
” With the Rockies , Walker put up spectacular numbers , slashing .334/.426/.618 with 1,361 hits , 258 home runs and 297 doubles .
He is the franchise leader in batting average , on-base percentage and slugging percentage and ranks second behind Todd Helton in runs , hits , doubles and home runs .
Walker won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only Rockies player to ever win the award .
He hit .366 , led the NL with 49 home runs and led the major leagues with a .720 slugging percentage , 1.172 OPS and 409 total bases .
“ Watching Larry in 1997 , you knew that you were watching somebody different , ” Weiss said .
“ That year was ridiculous .
I have been campaigning for Larry getting into the Hall of Fame for a long time.
” Walker is one of only seven players with a slash line of at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also in the Hall of Fame : Babe Ruth , Jimmie Foxx , Ted Williams , Lou Gehrig , Hank Greenberg and Rogers Hornsby .
Walker , however , has his share of his detractors , many of whom devalue his statistics because he played much of his career at the hitter ’ s paradise known as Coors Field .
Yet Walker slashed .278/.370/.495 on the road , a line equaled or bested by only 24 players in MLB history , 18 of whom are Hall of Famers .
And , Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal or higher than Hall of Famers Willie Stargell , Ken Griffey Jr. , Reggie Jackson , Orlando Cepeda , Tony Gwynn , Al Kaline , George Brett and Roberto Clemente .
• Photos from the Hall of Fame career of former Rockies outfielder Larry Walker • Keeler : Nolan Arenado or Jeff Bridich , Dick Monfort ?
Who ’ s it gon na be ?
• If Larry Walker is inducted today , Denver will have four Hall of Famers who wore No .
33 Yet Walker ’ s critics noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once and never played 140 or more games in back-to-back seasons .
Tuesday marked Walker ’ s second major honor in a week .
On Friday , the Rockies announced they were retiring Walker ’ s No .
33 , joining Helton ’ s No .
17 as the only Colorado players to have their numbers retired .
“ I know I speak for the whole Rocky Mountain region in congratulating Larry for his election into the Hall of Fame , ” Rockies owner Dick Monfort .
“ Larry blessed our region for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely fortunate to be a part of his incredible career .
Congrats , Larry .
”

Larry Walker was an electrifying, unforgettable baseball player.
Tuesday, he became an immortal when he was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his 10th and final year on the ballot. When Walker is formally inducted July 26 in Cooperstown, N.Y., he will be the first Colorado Rockies player ever enshrined.
Walker, 53, received 304 votes from eligible members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and cleared the 75% required for election with 76.6% of the vote. He cleared the bar by just six votes.
Earlier Tuesday, Walker tweeted that he thought he was going to come up a few votes short, so he was happily surprised when a phone call came from Jack O’Connell, president of the BBWAA, who told Walker: “I’m calling to let you know that you did not fall short this time.”
“I had calculated that I would get 73.3%, that’s what I felt,” Walker said. “Then the call came, I was literally 90 seconds away from (thinking) the time had come and gone for the call. And when the call actually came … I think I uttered the words, ‘Oh my God!’ before I actually answered the phone.”
First baseman Todd Helton, who played his entire 17 years in Colorado and was a teammate of Walker’s garnered 29.2% (116 votes) in his second year on the ballot.
Walker, a native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, grew up wanting to be a professional hockey player, but his natural baseball skills were something to behold. Walker became only the second Canadian-born player elected to the Hall along with Ferguson Jenkins, a Chatham, Ontario, native who was inducted in 1991.
“As a Canadian, it was a proud moment for me to represent my country and be able to join Ferguson Jenkins in the Hall of Fame,” Walker said. “Being Canadian, you’re born into this world with a stick in your hand and skates on your feet.
“So that’s how I was as a kid. You played hockey and that’s all that really mattered. When hockey didn’t quite go the way I wanted, baseball more or less found me.”
Walker hit for power and average, ran the bases like a greyhound and won seven Gold Gloves as a right fielder. During his prime with the Rockies, he was the rarest of the rare: a true five-tool player.
“An amazing talent,” said Walt Weiss, the former Rockies shortstop, and manager, who played with Walker from 1995-97. “People always toss around the term ‘five-tool player’ pretty liberally, which they shouldn’t. But I tell people that Larry was not only a five-tool player; he was elite in all five categories.”
Walker, who began his career with the Montreal Expos in August 1989, joined the Rockies as a free agent in 1995 and played in Colorado for nearly 10 seasons until he was traded to St. Louis in August 2004. Over 17 seasons, Walker hit .313, had 383 home runs, 471 doubles and posted a .965 OPS. He also stole 230 bases.
“He was the most skilled player I ever coached or managed,” said Clint Hurdle, who was Walker’s hitting coach and then his manager at Colorado. “I was blessed to play with (Hall of Famer) George Brett, who was the most skilled player I ever teamed with, and I got to see a lot of really good players in the 45 years I was in the game. But Larry and George are at the top of the list. … Larry was a magnificent ballplayer.”
With the Rockies, Walker put up spectacular numbers, slashing .334/.426/.618 with 1,361 hits, 258 home runs and 297 doubles. He is the franchise leader in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage and ranks second behind Helton in runs, hits, doubles and home runs.
Walker won the National League MVP in 1997, the only Rockies player to ever win the award. He hit .366, led the NL with 49 home runs and led the major leagues with a .720 slugging percentage, 1.172 OPS and 409 total bases.
“Watching Larry in 1997, you knew that you were watching somebody different,” Weiss said. “That year was ridiculous. I have been campaigning for Larry getting into the Hall of Fame for a long time.”
Walker is one of only seven players with a slash line of at least east .313/.400/.565. The other six are also in the Hall of Fame: Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg and Rogers Hornsby.
Walker, however, has his share of his detractors, many of whom devalue his statistics because he played much of his career at the hitter’s paradise known as Coors Field. Yet Walker slashed .278/.370/.495 on the road, a line equaled or bested by only 24 players in MLB history, 18 of whom are Hall of Famers.
And, Walker’s road OPS of .865 is equal or higher than Hall of Famers Willie Stargell, Ken Griffey Jr., Reggie Jackson, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline, George Brett and Roberto Clemente.
Walker believes his induction could pave the way for other Rockies like Helton or Nolan Arenado.
“The year I won MVP (1997), I thought it was a great thing for Colorado Rockies players, as well, to take away that mess of playing there and all the negatives that go into it,” Walker said. “Obviously, (Helton) is very Hall of Fame worthy. Arenado, where he’s going with his career, is very Hall of Fame worthy.
“I get the arguments. Trust me, I’ve heard them all. I’ve heard the good things, I’ve heard the bad things. I’m OK with both of them. There’s negativity to everything. I’m good taking it. I can handle it. I’m a big boy and I can take all that stuff. But 76.6 percent of the writers didn’t think that way, so I’m as grateful as I can be.”
Yet Walker’s critics noted that he played 143 or more games only once and never played 140 or more games in back-to-back seasons.
Tuesday marked Walker’s second major honor in a week. On Friday, the Rockies announced they were retiring Walker’s No. 33, joining Helton’s No. 17 as the only Colorado players to have their numbers retired.
“I know I speak for the whole Rocky Mountain region in congratulating Larry for his election into the Hall of Fame,” Rockies owner Dick Monfort said. “Larry blessed our region for parts of 10 seasons and we feel extremely fortunate to be a part of his incredible career. Congrats, Larry.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-21--Editor’s note on the discontinuation of Jon Caldara’s column

On Friday , Jan. 17 , Megan Schrader , editor of The Denver Post ’ s editorial pages , decided we would no longer run Jon Caldara ’ s weekly column .
Caldara had been providing that column on a freelance basis to The Post since 2016 .
We note some media coverage of this decision has implied we do not want to run conservative columns about issues surrounding sex and gender .
In fact , we ran both columns Caldara wrote on the subject , having determined they addressed a subject worthy of public discussion and debate .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s editorial section .
We want our pages to explore a variety of subjects and feature a variety of voices , even when some of our readers find them offensive .
We believe it is both possible and desirable to write about sensitive subjects and about people with whom one disagrees using respectful language .
In exercising our right to edit material submitted for publication , we make changes and suggestions to uphold that standard .
We expect writers to work with us in a collaborative and professional manner as we strive toward @ @ @

On Friday, Jan. 17, Megan Schrader, editor of The Denver Post’s editorial pages, decided we would no longer run Jon Caldara’s weekly column. Caldara had been providing that column on a freelance basis to The Post since 2016.
We note some media coverage of this decision has implied we do not want to run conservative columns about issues surrounding sex and gender. In fact, we ran both columns Caldara wrote on the subject, having determined they addressed a subject worthy of public discussion and debate.
That is the role of a newspaper’s editorial section. We want our pages to explore a variety of subjects and feature a variety of voices, even when some of our readers find them offensive.
We believe it is both possible and desirable to write about sensitive subjects and about people with whom one disagrees using respectful language. In exercising our right to edit material submitted for publication, we make changes and suggestions to uphold that standard. We expect writers to work with us in a collaborative and professional manner as we strive toward that goal.
– Lee Ann Colacioppo, Editor


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--Letters: Recognizing concussion injuries from the battlefields (1/22/20)

We have now learned that 11 American servicemen have been injured by the Iranian rocket attack .
They were concussed by the blast waves emanating from the explosions .
The Army has responded appropriately and has sent them out of theater to be evaluated .
My unit in Vietnam fired 508,653 155mm howitzer rounds from March 1967 to October 1971 .
Each one of those muzzle blasts caused a “ mild traumatic brain injury ” for the gun crew and anyone else in the radius of the blast wave .
We often fired six rounds per minute for extended periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The repetitive concussions generated a condition called post-concussion syndrome ( PCS ) , which can lead to early-onset dementia and Alzheimer ’ s , and ends with chronic traumatic encephalopathy .
We are all affected .
The Department of Defense and the VA do not recognize PCS as a battlefield injury , even though it has existed since WWI .
We will decline cognitively before our noncombat peers .
We will die before them , too .
Our wives , who have stood by us all these years , will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL , the NHL , professional soccer and boxing can get recognition and assistance , should Vietnam veterans be treated equally ?
We worked for a lot less money .
In appreciation of the hardworking rural families I ’ d like to take a moment to thank the farming and ranching families who have made the trek to Denver to participate in this year ’ s National Western Stock Show .
Welcome .
We ’ re truly glad to have you here .
For anyone who wants to experience the real heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole family , put on your old , worst pair of boots and walk through the livestock exhibit areas , the arenas and the cattle pens .
You will see grandpa and grandma , mom and dad , and all the kids from a town you ’ ve never heard of all pulling the rope in the same direction , working hard toward a chance at some recognition of their achievements , maintaining old business relationships and building new ones .
Say “ hi.
” They will appreciate your interest .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they show up for work every day .
And we appreciate that they do .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Recognizing concussion injuries from the battlefields
We have now learned that 11 American servicemen have been injured by the Iranian rocket attack. They were concussed by the blast waves emanating from the explosions. The Army has responded appropriately and has sent them out of theater to be evaluated.
My unit in Vietnam fired 508,653 155mm howitzer rounds from March 1967 to October 1971. Each one of those muzzle blasts caused a “mild traumatic brain injury” for the gun crew and anyone else in the radius of the blast wave. We often fired six rounds per minute for extended periods of time; combat is like that. The repetitive concussions generated a condition called post-concussion syndrome (PCS), which can lead to early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s, and ends with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. We are all affected.
The Department of Defense and the VA do not recognize PCS as a battlefield injury, even though it has existed since WWI. We will decline cognitively before our noncombat peers. We will die before them, too. Our wives, who have stood by us all these years, will not be eligible to receive our benefits.
If the NFL, the NHL, professional soccer and boxing can get recognition and assistance, should Vietnam veterans be treated equally? We worked for a lot less money.
C. Gunn Haydon, Cañon City
In appreciation of the hardworking rural families
I’d like to take a moment to thank the farming and ranching families who have made the trek to Denver to participate in this year’s National Western Stock Show. Welcome. We’re truly glad to have you here.
For anyone who wants to experience the real heart of America, I suggest you grab the whole family, put on your old, worst pair of boots and walk through the livestock exhibit areas, the arenas and the cattle pens.
You will see grandpa and grandma, mom and dad, and all the kids from a town you’ve never heard of all pulling the rope in the same direction, working hard toward a chance at some recognition of their achievements, maintaining old business relationships and building new ones. Say “hi.” They will appreciate your interest.
It’s not an easy life, but they show up for work every day. And we appreciate that they do.
Steven Tyler, Englewood
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--Ask Amy: Dating Prince Charming necessitates love contract

Dear Amy : After 12 years together , most of which were wonderful , my husband and I divorced .
Thankfully , we are still friends .
Fast-forward two years : I found someone that I truly believe could be “ The One.
” I never thought this could happen , and I ’ m happier than I ’ ve ever been !
“ What could be wrong ?
” you ask .
Well , Prince Charming and I work at the same company .
I am in a leadership position and he is an indirect subordinate .
While technically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , they do have a notification policy which asks us to notify HR and our direct supervisors of the relationship .
I ’ m worried that by making our relationship public , our supervisors , peers , and the company may treat or view us in a negative light .
I want to follow the rules , but I don ’ t want to jeopardize my/his career or brand with the company .
Prince Charming has gone so far as to seek other employment , but with no luck ( even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave ) .
How do you recommend we navigate these waters and protect our relationship and our careers at the same time ?
Dear Inconvenient : Unless you are Michael Scott and you work at Dunder Mifflin , reporting your relationship to HR does not mean that you are grabbing a megaphone and announcing your relationship to all of your colleagues .
It means that you are following company policy .
If you are in a supervisory position and your company has a reporting policy for romantic relationships between co-workers , then you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place in order to relieve you of the burden of trying to decide whether to disclose your relationship .
You have to , and so you should .
Before reporting , you and Prince Charming should make sure you are both aware of the company policy and have read the handbook regarding relationships .
You should understand that reporting your relationship might ( but might not ) necessitate a job shift within the company for him .
You should agree not to engage in professional favoritism or public displays of affection at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely discreet , and to not discuss your relationship with co-workers , even after signing your “ love contract.
” Your supervisors and HR professionals face the same challenge regarding your relationship that you two do — to remain discreet , appropriate , and professional .
Dear Amy : I am 61-year-old , divorced man .
I am highly educated and have raised two successful kids on my own .
I live alone .
My kids live far away , and my only relative is an older brother .
My parents died when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different extended family until the age of 15 , when I became a ward of the court .
During my youth , I suffered severe abuse from my brother .
I ’ ll spare you the details , except it involved getting beaten into unconsciousness .
I suffer from GAD and PTSD .
The older I get , the more I resent my brother ’ s cruelty , which nobody knows about except for me .
It must appear odd when I skipped the holidays to be alone , but I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just cut him out of my life , or just suck it up and act like nothing happened and keep him in my life ?
I ’ ve confronted him about it , and he says it wasn ’ t a big deal and that it made me tougher .
Dear No Family : Because you have been diagnosed with GAD ( Generalized Anxiety Disorder ) and PTSD due to the childhood abuse you have survived , I don ’ t think “ sucking it up ” is an option for you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend time with your unrepentant abuser .
You survived a heartbreaking and traumatic childhood .
You have lived a successful life .
I hope you are pursuing ongoing professional help for your continued challenges .
You have the right — and responsibility — to protect your health and keep your distance from your tormentor .
Break the chain .
Make your own family .
Celebrate your success and survival .
Neither you nor the grandmother says anything about the father of the child .
He has as much responsibility to care for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if grandma didn ’ t mention him , shouldn ’ t you have said something about him ?
Mom didn ’ t make this child by herself .
Dear BB : You ’ re right .
It seems that everyone in this equation ignored the responsibilities and rights of the father , including me .

Dear Amy: After 12 years together, most of which were wonderful, my husband and I divorced. Thankfully, we are still friends.
Fast-forward two years: I found someone that I truly believe could be “The One.” I never thought this could happen, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been!
“What could be wrong?” you ask. Well, Prince Charming and I work at the same company. I am in a leadership position and he is an indirect subordinate.
While technically this romantic relationship is not against company policy, they do have a notification policy which asks us to notify HR and our direct supervisors of the relationship.
I’m worried that by making our relationship public, our supervisors, peers, and the company may treat or view us in a negative light. I want to follow the rules, but I don’t want to jeopardize my/his career or brand with the company.
Prince Charming has gone so far as to seek other employment, but with no luck (even though he doesn’t really want to leave).
How do you recommend we navigate these waters and protect our relationship and our careers at the same time?
— Inconveniently in Love
Dear Inconvenient: Unless you are Michael Scott and you work at Dunder Mifflin, reporting your relationship to HR does not mean that you are grabbing a megaphone and announcing your relationship to all of your colleagues. It means that you are following company policy.
If you are in a supervisory position and your company has a reporting policy for romantic relationships between co-workers, then you must report it.
The policy is in place in order to relieve you of the burden of trying to decide whether to disclose your relationship. You have to, and so you should.
Before reporting, you and Prince Charming should make sure you are both aware of the company policy and have read the handbook regarding relationships. You should understand that reporting your relationship might (but might not) necessitate a job shift within the company for him.
You should agree not to engage in professional favoritism or public displays of affection at work.
You should agree to be extremely discreet, and to not discuss your relationship with co-workers, even after signing your “love contract.”
Your supervisors and HR professionals face the same challenge regarding your relationship that you two do — to remain discreet, appropriate, and professional.
Dear Amy: I am 61-year-old, divorced man. I am highly educated and have raised two successful kids on my own. I live alone. My kids live far away, and my only relative is an older brother.
My parents died when I was young and I lived with different extended family until the age of 15, when I became a ward of the court.
During my youth, I suffered severe abuse from my brother.
I’ll spare you the details, except it involved getting beaten into unconsciousness. I suffer from GAD and PTSD.
The older I get, the more I resent my brother’s cruelty, which nobody knows about except for me. It must appear odd when I skipped the holidays to be alone, but I can’t stand being around him.
Should I just cut him out of my life, or just suck it up and act like nothing happened and keep him in my life?
I’ve confronted him about it, and he says it wasn’t a big deal and that it made me tougher.
— No Extended Family
Dear No Family: Because you have been diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and PTSD due to the childhood abuse you have survived, I don’t think “sucking it up” is an option for you.
You should not force yourself to spend time with your unrepentant abuser.
You survived a heartbreaking and traumatic childhood. You have lived a successful life. I hope you are pursuing ongoing professional help for your continued challenges.
You have the right — and responsibility — to protect your health and keep your distance from your tormentor. Break the chain. Make your own family. Celebrate your success and survival.
Dear Amy: “Unsure Grandmother” described raising her 21-year-old daughter’s grandchild.
The child’s mother is completely irresponsible.
Neither you nor the grandmother says anything about the father of the child.
He has as much responsibility to care for the child as the mother does.
Even if grandma didn’t mention him, shouldn’t you have said something about him? Mom didn’t make this child by herself.
— BB
Dear BB: You’re right. It seems that everyone in this equation ignored the responsibilities and rights of the father, including me.
(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--2020-01-22--Colorado woman sentenced to 14 years in toddler son’s death

PUEBLO — A judge has sentenced a Colorado woman to 14 years in prison for the role she played in the death of her almost 2-year-old son in 2018 .
Faith Hughes , 22 , was sentenced this week and is being credited for 560 days she already served in county jail , The Pueblo Chieftain reported Monday .
Hughes was also fined more than $ 1,400 , a judge said .
Hughes pleaded guilty in December to negligence causing death , prosecutors said .
She was originally charged with child abuse resulting in death , prosecutors said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to serve a prison term of no more than 16 years at the Colorado Department of Corrections , prosecutors said .
Hughes and 22-year-old father Skyler Chapman were arrested in June 2018 after Hughes brought their son to a hospital with severe injuries , including two bleeding brain injuries and black eyes , authorities said .
Hughes originally said she and the boy were assaulted by strangers before changing her story , saying she and Chapman commonly hit the child as a form of discipline , authorities said .
Chapman denied striking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described kicking the child who landed on his head .
Chapman was sentenced to 48 years in September after pleading guilty to second-degree murder .

PUEBLO — A judge has sentenced a Colorado woman to 14 years in prison for the role she played in the death of her almost 2-year-old son in 2018.
Faith Hughes, 22, was sentenced this week and is being credited for 560 days she already served in county jail, The Pueblo Chieftain reported Monday.
Hughes was also fined more than $1,400, a judge said.
Hughes pleaded guilty in December to negligence causing death, prosecutors said. She was originally charged with child abuse resulting in death, prosecutors said.
The plea deal stipulated that Hughes would be sentenced to serve a prison term of no more than 16 years at the Colorado Department of Corrections, prosecutors said.
Hughes and 22-year-old father Skyler Chapman were arrested in June 2018 after Hughes brought their son to a hospital with severe injuries, including two bleeding brain injuries and black eyes, authorities said.
Hughes originally said she and the boy were assaulted by strangers before changing her story, saying she and Chapman commonly hit the child as a form of discipline, authorities said.
Chapman denied striking the child with his hand but instead described kicking the child who landed on his head.
Chapman was sentenced to 48 years in September after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--Kiszla: Wearing SpongeBob shirt, goofball Larry Walker finally kicks down door to Hall of Fame

When Rockies outfielder Larry Walker finally got the call from the Hall of Fame , he fought back tears , while wearing a SpongeBob SquarePants shirt .
How perfect .
Because the truth is : Walker is not only the best hitter ever to wear a Rockies uniform , he might also be a bigger goofball than SpongeBob .
“ When the call actually came … I think I uttered the words , ‘ Oh , my God !
’ before I actually answered the phone , ” Walker said Tuesday .
But he also admitted the thought that went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not OMG , but “ Oh , bleep.
” Can we speak the truth , just you and me ?
I realize on the day when a player is elected to the Hall , many Rockies fans would prefer to revel in the memory of falling in love with Walk as quickly as he dashed from first to third base on a teammate ’ s bloop single to right field .
But here ’ s the truth : For nine years , I did not check the box next to Walker ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly before Thanksgiving , however , I gave him my vote for the first time and put it in the mail .
His splendid slash line , gaudy career WAR or any of the advanced stats used to bolster Walker ’ s case did not change during the past 12 months .
I merely had a change of heart .
Is listening to the heart still allowed in baseball analysis of the 21st century ?
Unlike many of my fine colleagues in the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America , I do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church .
To me , it ’ s a celebration of the sport , both the good and the bad , because the games we play are often an unflinching mirror that reveals where we stand as a society .
So I view the Hall more as a big , raucous party .
The more the merrier .
And truth be known : Few Rockies in the franchise ’ s history have ever enjoyed a party more than Walker , the big goofball who wore a SpongeBob shirt on the day he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air of Coors Field nor the questions about his durability had any negative effect on my evaluation of Walker ’ s Hall of Fame credentials .
Here ’ s what did : From the time Walker joined the Rockies in 1995 until he departed in 2004 , good , hardworking men who shared the Colorado dugout with him regularly complained to me that Walk often did not give a hoot about the team and was not nearly as committed to winning as they were .
Was that jealousy speaking ?
No , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I did not stop listening to those voices .
I merely decided to let them go .
I am happy Walker can join the party in Cooperstown .
I was proud of my ballot , which included five other stalwarts of the sport .
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter : The lone rebel who denied Captain Clutch a unanimous welcome to the Hall on the first ballot ?
Wasn ’ t me .
Home run king Barry Bonds : You can not write the history of the game without prominent mention of Bonds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hall gatekeepers that rail against cheaters now were too busy eating hot dogs in the press box to care in the summer of 1998 .
Pitcher Roger Clemens , 354-game winner : Magnificent pitcher .
Rotten person .
That ’ s my story , sticking to it .
Pitcher Curt Schilling , five-time all star : I have been lectured by math wizards that wins and losses are a virtually meaningless measure of a pitcher ’ s real worth .
But is it OK if I make an exception for the postseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 earned runs in 19 playoff stars ?
Todd Helton , Rockies first baseman : Statistics are wonderful data points .
Baseball , however , has long been guilty of loving numbers too much .
I eagerly await the advanced metrics to measure sports leadership .
In the meantime , I know this for a fact : If a winning culture is important , Helton is a far more valuable player than Walker .
Go ahead .
Bash my picks .
It ’ s cool by me , because if social media wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finest baseball poets ever to smell freshly cut outfield grass in spring , is a crazy old fool for withdrawing his support for Walker in the Rockies outfielder ’ s 10th and final year on the ballot , preventing him from becoming a Hall of Famer by seven votes instead of six , that might also be a pretty accurate look at the uncivil state of our society in 2020 .
Now , can I ask you how you voted for president ?
Heaven forbid if you give the wrong answer .
@ @ @ @

When Rockies outfielder Larry Walker finally got the call from the Hall of Fame, he fought back tears, while wearing a SpongeBob SquarePants shirt.
How perfect. Because the truth is: Walker is not only the best hitter ever to wear a Rockies uniform, he might also be a bigger goofball than SpongeBob.
“When the call actually came … I think I uttered the words, ‘Oh, my God!’ before I actually answered the phone,” Walker said Tuesday.
But he also admitted the thought that went through his head at tshat big moment was not OMG, but “Oh, bleep.”
Perfect. That’s Walker. Hall of Fame goofball.
Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame shirt 🐐 pic.twitter.com/AsurJdWsBc — Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) January 22, 2020
Can we speak the truth, just you and me? I realize on the day when a player is elected to the Hall, many Rockies fans would prefer to revel in the memory of falling in love with Walk as quickly as he dashed from first to third base on a teammate’s bloop single to right field.
But here’s the truth: For nine years, I did not check the box next to Walker’s name.
When my ballot arrived shortly before Thanksgiving, however, I gave him my vote for the first time and put it in the mail. His splendid slash line, gaudy career WAR or any of the advanced stats used to bolster Walker’s case did not change during the past 12 months. I merely had a change of heart.
Is listening to the heart still allowed in baseball analysis of the 21st century?
Unlike many of my fine colleagues in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, I do not view the Hall of Fame as a church. To me, it’s a celebration of the sport, both the good and the bad, because the games we play are often an unflinching mirror that reveals where we stand as a society.
So I view the Hall more as a big, raucous party. The more the merrier. And truth be known: Few Rockies in the franchise’s history have ever enjoyed a party more than Walker, the big goofball who wore a SpongeBob shirt on the day he was welcomed to Cooperstown.
Neither the light air of Coors Field nor the questions about his durability had any negative effect on my evaluation of Walker’s Hall of Fame credentials. Here’s what did: From the time Walker joined the Rockies in 1995 until he departed in 2004, good, hardworking men who shared the Colorado dugout with him regularly complained to me that Walk often did not give a hoot about the team and was not nearly as committed to winning as they were. Was that jealousy speaking? No, it was deep-seated resentment.
In the end, I did not stop listening to those voices. I merely decided to let them go.
I am happy Walker can join the party in Cooperstown. I was proud of my ballot, which included five other stalwarts of the sport.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter: The lone rebel who denied Captain Clutch a unanimous welcome to the Hall on the first ballot? Wasn’t me.
Home run king Barry Bonds: You cannot write the history of the game without prominent mention of Bonds or the PED era. Some of the Hall gatekeepers that rail against cheaters now were too busy eating hot dogs in the press box to care in the summer of 1998.
Pitcher Roger Clemens, 354-game winner: Magnificent pitcher. Rotten person. That’s my story, sticking to it.
Pitcher Curt Schilling, five-time all star: I have been lectured by math wizards that wins and losses are a virtually meaningless measure of a pitcher’s real worth. But is it OK if I make an exception for the postseason, when Schilling was 11-2 and surrendered 33 earned runs in 19 playoff starts?
Todd Helton, Rockies first baseman: Statistics are wonderful data points. Baseball, however, has long been guilty of loving numbers too much. I eagerly await the advanced metrics to measure sports leadership. In the meantime, I know this for a fact: If a winning culture is important, Helton is a far more valuable player than Walker.
Go ahead. Bash my picks. It’s cool by me, because if social media wants to scream at Peter Gammons, one of the finest baseball poets ever to smell freshly cut outfield grass in spring, is a crazy old fool for withdrawing his support for Walker in the Rockies outfielder’s 10th and final year on the ballot, preventing him from becoming a Hall of Famer by seven votes instead of six, that might also be a pretty accurate look at the uncivil state of our society in 2020.
Now, can I ask you how you voted for president?
Heaven forbid if you give the wrong answer. Twitter wrath awaits.


thedenverpost--2020-01-22--WATCH: Ugly brawl breaks out at end of Kansas-Kansas State game, KU’s Silvio De Sousa grabs stool

LAWRENCE , Kan. — Third-ranked Kansas and Kansas State ended their bitter showdown Tuesday night with a wild melee in the disabled seating behind the Wildcats ’ basket that included punches , shoving and at least one player threatening to swing a stool .
The Jayhawks were dribbling out the time on their 81-60 victory when Silvio De Sousa was stripped by DaJuan Gordon near mid-court .
Gordon tried to go for a layup and De Sousa recovered to block his shot and send the freshman sprawling , then stood over the freshman and barked at him — triggering both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rugby scrum .
At one point , De Sousa picked up a stool and held it over his head before Kansas assistant Jerrance Howard grabbed it from him from behind .
The Jayhawks ’ Marcus Garrett and David McCormick were also in the thick of the scrum along with the Wildcats ’ James Love and David Sloan , who was the first player to come to Gordon ’ s defense .
It took both coaching staffs , the officials and Allen Fieldhouse security to separate the teams .
“ Without knowing exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious to me that we played a role in what transpired and there will be penalties for that , ” said Jayhawks coach Bill Self , who was already shaking hands with Kansas State counterpart Bruce Weber when the chaos erupted .
“ I need to see the film to comment or have any definitive thoughts on exactly why or how it got started , because to be honest with you I don ’ t have any idea about that.
” The fight came three days after St. Francis and Sacred Heart were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game in Pennsylvania .
But while that incident in the Northeast Conference went largely unnoticed , the pedigree of Kansas and the fact that both schools play in the Big 12 instantly turned their brawl into a national event .
“ Obviously it ’ s an embarrassment , ” Self said .
“ It ’ s not something to be proud of .
What happened showed zero signs of toughness .
It ’ s a sign of immaturity and selfishness more so than toughness .
If I was a fan watching , depending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing about that intriguing me to watch more.
” Then , adding to the bizarre finish , five players from each team were summoned back from the locker rooms by officials and one-tenth of a second was put on the clock .
Kansas State shot technical free throws to booing from a few thousand fans , and the one make necessitated a change to the final box score .
The reason only those players returned ?
The rest of the players from each team — including those dressed in street clothes — were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the game was in progress .
“ It should have been avoided , ” Weber said .
“ It ’ s my guys , it ’ s my fault .
They came here wanting to have a game , compete , and we didn ’ t compete the way we needed to , and probably a little frustration , especially the young guys.
” Weber had instructed his players to back off in the closing seconds and let the game run out .
And while Self said he didn ’ t agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did acknowledge that Kansas State was merely playing to the final whistle .
“ Silvio knew he was being defended , ” Self said .
“ He took his ball , and certainly the way Silvio reacted to getting his ball taken , going and blocking his shot , that ’ s fair game .
What transpired after that is what set everything off.
” While he won ’ t be alone , De Sousa is likely to receive the stiffest punishment from the incident — the latest chapter in a career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration to Kansas than pride and success .
It was De Sousa whose name surfaced in the FBI probe into college basketball in October 2018 , and that in part led to an NCAA investigation of Kansas .
The school received a notice of allegations last September that outlined major violations in men ’ s basketball , levied a head coach responsibility charge against Self and alleged a lack of institutional control .
Those violations are being appealed and a decision is not expected until well after the season .
De Sousa was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , and he was supposed to sit out this season as well .
But the school successfully appealed the decision , allowing the junior forward to return to the court .
Asked what his message was in the locker room after the game , Self replied : “ There was no discussion on what happened from their vantage point .
We talked to them and relayed to them how selfish it was .
We relayed how disappointed we are .
We should be in here talking about Christian Braun and selfishness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to be the story line whatsoever .
There was no communication back and forth .
It was one way.
” Indeed , Braun was the story of the game until the final seconds after hitting six 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 20 points in his first Sunflower Showdown .
The freshman guard grew up in nearby Burlington , Kansas .
Devon Dotson added 18 points and Udoka Azubuike finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds for Kansas ( 15-3 , 5-1 Big 12 ) , which beat the Wildcats for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xavier Sneed had 16 points and David Sloan had 14 for the Wildcats ( 8-10 , 1-5 ) , who played a part in ending the Jayhawks ’ conference title run last season .
“ Credit to them .
They kicked our butt , ” said Weber , whose chin was reddened by what he called a stress-induced reaction .
“ I ’ m just happy nothing major happened to either team where there was an escalated fight .
It was a bad play at the end .
It ’ s disappointing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopefully next time they ’ ll be a little smarter.
” Kansas played its best game in weeks , but it could come at quite the cost — several Jayhawks appeared to throw punches in the fracas , and that is almost certainly going to lead to suspensions .
How long they last could impact how the Jayhawks fare in a stretch coming up that includes the Big 12-SEC Challenge .

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Third-ranked Kansas and Kansas State ended their bitter showdown Tuesday night with a wild melee in the disabled seating behind the Wildcats’ basket that included punches, shoving and at least one player threatening to swing a stool.
FIGHT IN KANSAS-KANSAS STATE GAME. pic.twitter.com/x14JnBItKk — Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) January 22, 2020
The Jayhawks were dribbling out the time on their 81-60 victory when Silvio De Sousa was stripped by DaJuan Gordon near mid-court. Gordon tried to go for a layup and De Sousa recovered to block his shot and send the freshman sprawling, then stood over the freshman and barked at him — triggering both benches to empty into what amounted to a rugby scrum.
At one point, De Sousa picked up a stool and held it over his head before Kansas assistant Jerrance Howard grabbed it from him from behind. The Jayhawks’ Marcus Garrett and David McCormick were also in the thick of the scrum along with the Wildcats’ James Love and David Sloan, who was the first player to come to Gordon’s defense.
It took both coaching staffs, the officials and Allen Fieldhouse security to separate the teams.
“Without knowing exactly everything that went down, it was obvious to me that we played a role in what transpired and there will be penalties for that,” said Jayhawks coach Bill Self, who was already shaking hands with Kansas State counterpart Bruce Weber when the chaos erupted. “I need to see the film to comment or have any definitive thoughts on exactly why or how it got started, because to be honest with you I don’t have any idea about that.”
The fight came three days after St. Francis and Sacred Heart were involved in a wild fracas following their game in Pennsylvania. But while that incident in the Northeast Conference went largely unnoticed, the pedigree of Kansas and the fact that both schools play in the Big 12 instantly turned their brawl into a national event.
“Obviously it’s an embarrassment,” Self said. “It’s not something to be proud of. What happened showed zero signs of toughness. It’s a sign of immaturity and selfishness more so than toughness. If I was a fan watching, depending on your perspective, there would be nothing about that intriguing me to watch more.”
Holy smokes. Here’s another angle of the KU-Kansas State brawl that just broke out. Wow. pic.twitter.com/Mqm7Lbv4tX — Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) January 22, 2020
Then, adding to the bizarre finish, five players from each team were summoned back from the locker rooms by officials and one-tenth of a second was put on the clock. Kansas State shot technical free throws to booing from a few thousand fans, and the one make necessitated a change to the final box score.
The reason only those players returned? The rest of the players from each team — including those dressed in street clothes — were ejected because they had left the bench while the game was in progress.
“It should have been avoided,” Weber said. “It’s my guys, it’s my fault. They came here wanting to have a game, compete, and we didn’t compete the way we needed to, and probably a little frustration, especially the young guys.”
Weber had instructed his players to back off in the closing seconds and let the game run out. And while Self said he didn’t agree with the steal and layup attempt, he did acknowledge that Kansas State was merely playing to the final whistle.
“Silvio knew he was being defended,” Self said. “He took his ball, and certainly the way Silvio reacted to getting his ball taken, going and blocking his shot, that’s fair game. What transpired after that is what set everything off.”
I'm not sure what made him do it, but Silvio De Sousa dropping the chair behind his head here saved this from becoming WAY worse than it could have been (and it was really bad). pic.twitter.com/HUFDulvweX — Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) January 22, 2020
While he won’t be alone, De Sousa is likely to receive the stiffest punishment from the incident — the latest chapter in a career that has brought far more embarrassment and frustration to Kansas than pride and success.
It was De Sousa whose name surfaced in the FBI probe into college basketball in October 2018, and that in part led to an NCAA investigation of Kansas. The school received a notice of allegations last September that outlined major violations in men’s basketball, levied a head coach responsibility charge against Self and alleged a lack of institutional control. Those violations are being appealed and a decision is not expected until well after the season.
De Sousa was suspended last season for his role in the case, and he was supposed to sit out this season as well. But the school successfully appealed the decision, allowing the junior forward to return to the court.
Asked what his message was in the locker room after the game, Self replied: “There was no discussion on what happened from their vantage point. We talked to them and relayed to them how selfish it was. We relayed how disappointed we are. We should be in here talking about Christian Braun and selfishness created a situation where that’s not going to be the story line whatsoever. There was no communication back and forth. It was one way.”
Indeed, Braun was the story of the game until the final seconds after hitting six 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 20 points in his first Sunflower Showdown. The freshman guard grew up in nearby Burlington, Kansas.
Devon Dotson added 18 points and Udoka Azubuike finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds for Kansas (15-3, 5-1 Big 12), which beat the Wildcats for the 14th straight time at Allen Fieldhouse. Xavier Sneed had 16 points and David Sloan had 14 for the Wildcats (8-10, 1-5), who played a part in ending the Jayhawks’ conference title run last season.
“Credit to them. They kicked our butt,” said Weber, whose chin was reddened by what he called a stress-induced reaction. “I’m just happy nothing major happened to either team where there was an escalated fight. It was a bad play at the end. It’s disappointing. Life lessons for our young guys and hopefully next time they’ll be a little smarter.”
BIG PICTURE
Kansas played its best game in weeks, but it could come at quite the cost — several Jayhawks appeared to throw punches in the fracas, and that is almost certainly going to lead to suspensions. How long they last could impact how the Jayhawks fare in a stretch coming up that includes the Big 12-SEC Challenge.
UP NEXT
Kansas State heads to Alabama on Saturday.
Kansas welcomes back ex-Texas coach Rick Barnes with Tennessee on Saturday.