Five years ago at the Rockies official site. Our projected starting lineup: 2B Pablo Ozuna LF Jay Payton RF Larry Walker 1B Todd Helton CF Preston Wilson 3B Jose Hernandez C Charles Johnson SS Juan Uribe And our projected rotation: Denny Neagle Jason Jennings Denny Stark (and 5)Aaron Cook Shawn Chacon or Scott Elarton Yikes. Harding's last paragraph touting the "larger-than-usual group of prospects" indicates how everybody knew that the 2003 team was adrift before it even set sail. Even that large group of prospects we had weren't considered that promising at the time outside of Aaron Cook and Chin-Hui Tsao (Petrick and Freeman's star had already fallen Hawpe Atkins and especially Holliday were underrated) and Tsao would obviously experience another setback that season. So obviously we've come a long way. Rather than five open positions in the lineup heading into Spring we have one. That rotation wound up having all of our starters give only bottom of the rotation work with the exception of Shawn Chacon who could have been considered #4 worthy in the limited innings he gave. This season we seem to be in vastly better shape with our starters. The aptitude of our bench and injury backups is superior as is our bullpen. What's similar to 2003 is that where we'll be five seasons from now seems to rest largely on the development of the young arms in camp Jimenez/Hirsh/Morales/Reynolds seem to be a significant upgrade from Cook/Stark/Tsao/Young/Vance but I'd like 2008 to have a few more arms show high promise in the system to add to our chances. It's interesting to note Harding's change of perspective on the matter of veteran leadership as well this is what he had to say then: C J.D. Closser An effective switch hitter Closser's defensive development could accelerate during a camp around a veteran like Charles Johnson. Whereas here are his thoughts on the subject The traditional story of the veteran serving as a mentor to younger players often is simply untrue. Sure the veteran can give tips about the big league lifestyle. But to what degree is anyone in any business responsible for mentoring the person who could render him unemployed? It seems we've all grown wiser with the team over the last five years. Let's hope the wisdom we gain over these next five doesn't require as many seasons like 2003 and has a few more like 2007 instead.

Two Hilton Head Island men are in custody in connection with a burglary last week at an island convenience store, according to a press release from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Malkin: Shamnesty peddler John McCain taps former Mexican government official/shamnesty advocate Juan Hernandez as his presidential campaign Hispanic Outreach Director.

The injury and illness bug took a bite out the Incline High School wrestling team last weekend at a two-day tournament at Sparks High School.

The Spectrum reports arrests for felony crimes and compound misdemeanors and warrants carrying a bail of at least $750. All arrest information is taken from the jail booking log and police reports.

Sen. John McCain 's Hispanic outreach director, Juan Hernandez , has become an issue in the Republican presidential campaign because, among other things, he has served in the Mexican government, Mark Krikorian ...

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Some items of interest: Politics I voted for Ralph Nader in the 2000 election and George W. Bush in the 2004 election.

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