-> DG> Belliard would hit 7-10 a year there if he played with the
-> Rockies..
-> No he wouldn't.  Walt Weiss didn't.
Ahh, yes.. I forgot that Weiss went to Atlanta.. UGH. I believe Weiss had a 
season where he hit 7 or 8 (1996??), and weak-hitting Weiss suddenly wanted 
to hover around the .300 mark in Colorado.. So, it certainly had it's 
effect.. Not that I deny Weiss is one of the better defensive shortstops in 
baseball, but was a major offensive liability up until going to Denver....
-> How would that make it normal?  It would cut down on HRs, but every
-> other kind of hit would go up dramatically.  An outfielder can only
-> cover so much ground, and a centerfield at 580 feet would lead to
-> tremendously high levels of singles, doubles and triples.  Innings
-> could go on forever.  The problem at Coors Field is not the
-> dimensions, but rather the high altitude.  And there's nothing you
-> can do about that.
The bottom line is: Coors is a pitcher's nightmare and hitter's paradise... 
Pop flys turn into home runs, and while a pitcher may get an extra mile per 
hour or two on their fastball, their breaking stuff isn't quite the same... 
Why they moved baseball there, I dunno. I know I'm probably going to hear 
about how "they have the fans and bring money in" and perhaps they do. But 
can you imagine had the Rockies managed to acquire McGwire?? He'd hit 70-75 
home runs there this season... Crazy. The only good thing I can say about 
baseball in Colorado: At least the Rockies don't have a DH! *shudder*
-> Weak divisions?  What division do you think the world champion
-> Marlins played in last year?  How about the year the Giants won 103
-> games and didn't make the playoffs?  Who do you think finished ahead
-> of them?
The same division where from 1994-1996 the closest thing the Braves had to 
competion was the Expos, to go with a (at the team) weak Florida expansion 
team, and a pitiful Mets and Phillies.. And the Expos are a yearly fire 
sale.. Alou, Lansing, Walker, Martinez, Wettland, Rojas *cough*...
I will admit that is seems there have been a few years where the Braves had 
competion in their division (1993, 1997), but for the most part, it's been a 
joke. They have pretty much walked all over the NL East every year except 
last since moving to the East. And they get more calls in their favor than 
any team this side of the 49ers. Maddux has lived off the 
six-inches-outside-but-call-it-a-strike-anyways slider for years, Glavine and 
Smoltz the same... But then, two words: Sid Bream. 1992 game 7, at the plate: 
OUT OUT OUT! I'd love to know how much Billionaire Ted paid for that call. 
And now, let's face it, the Braves get yet another weak division again in 
1998, the only reason I think the Mets have a chance to steal the East is 
they have imrpoved, the Braves have stepped down a bit, and if the Mets can 
make up for the loss of Todd Hundley for half of the season (or more) they 
can upset the Braves. Personally, I hope they do! Not only do I depise the 
Braves (have for 15 years), but it's about time we get some fresh blood in 
the playoffs, instead of the strutting, trash-talking, chanting and chopping 
and Hanoi Jane Braves.
--- DB 1.39/003705
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