What do the Colorado Rockies have in common with real estate agents?

It's all about location, location, location.

A prime piece of real estate---barren---can be a future goldmine----if it's in the right spot. When I was a kid growing up in New Jersey, a small town named Hoboken wasn't the most attractive spot in the Garden State. It was known as the birthplace of Frank Sinatra and that's about it.

Though, there was on thing Hoboken did have going for it. It was right across the river from New York City. It was a short train ride away from the greatest city in the world. So, eventually, Hoboken used its proximity to its advantage. Today, the small town is far cry from what it used to be. It's a packed, high energy landing spot for many young professionals who work in the city and reside in Sinatra's birthplace. It seemed as though, with that prime location, it was only a matter of time before Hoboken became a household name and a household for many in New Jersey.

That long story said, yeah, I know, probably way too long, leads me (somehow) to the Rockies. They are the proud (maybe) of a 37-52 record. That, incredibly, puts them just seven games out of first place in the National League Worst.....make that National League West. They have been without Todd Helton (back), Jeff Francis (shoulder), Troy Tulowitzki (immature), and Franklin Morales (overrated). Without their best player ever, best pitcher (Aaron Cook is on line four to complain), their prized shortstop (Tulowitzki would be on line five but for some reason he can't hold the phone in his right hand), and their young fastball pitching stud, they are right in the race.

Last season at the All-Star break, they were five-and-a-half games out. This year, as mentioned, they are seven out of the chase. So how can anybody count them out?

They have been discussed as potential sellers at the trade deadline, though why is that even being discussed? Brian Fuentes, despite his struggles, could provve to be valuable down the stretch. Matt Holliday has been so good after a quiet April that even discussing trading him would tell the fans all they need to know about the long term views of ownership. Where would the Rockies be without him?

Despite their overall weak performance this season, they just happen to have the good fortune of playing in a weak division and they better take advantage of it soon. Massive injuries, poor execution, sloppier than normal defense (in their defense, no pun intended, it couldn't seemingly match last year), they have a legitimate shot.

There is not one team in the National League West that has won more games than it has lost. The Rockies may have lost their way a little, but a lost season? Not even close to that yet.

-"z"