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09/30/2004 10:51 PM ET
Notes: Tsao having a blast
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com
Chin-hui Tsao is getting a chance to show the Rockies what he is capable of doi
ng. (Andre Pichette/AP)
LOS ANGELES -- In earning the save in the Colorado Rockies' 4-1 victory over Lo
s Angeles on Wednesday night, Chin-hui Tsao had a blast -- for what it's worth.
"Last night, I was ready," Tsao said before Thursday's finale of a four-game se
ries against the Dodgers. "I couldn't wait. I want to save the team."
But maybe Tsao's enjoyment shouldn't go a long way when the Rockies decide what
to do with their closer job next season. Fresh history is too strong a force.
The last time the Rockies moved another young pitcher to closer to take advanta
ge of his arm and curb injury risk, the result was Shawn Chacon's struggles thr
oughout this season.
So manager Clint Hurdle isn't being hasty. Hurdle, general manager Dan O'Dowd a
nd ownership will decide how to fill the job this offseason. Hurdle said the Ro
ckies might look for a more experienced closer, although the lack of space for
such a pitcher in the budget this year led to the Chacon experiment. As for Tsa
o, 23, Hurdle was talking a look, just in case.
"We've just talked about getting him some on-field experience right now, and se
e where that takes us, see if anything develops from it," Hurdle said. "We just
went thorough one stretch where we asked a guy that's never done it before.
"In a perfect world, you'd like to find somebody with experience, that's done i
t before."
Tsao was closer for two games while representing Taiwan in this summer's Olympi
cs, but that's not exactly what Hurdle was talking about in terms of an experie
nced closer. If the Rockies sign a proven closer, it'll be a first.
Starting with expansion draftee Darren Holmes, their early closers were relieve
rs with limited closing experience. The last two closers, Jose Jimenez (2000-03
) and Chacon, were converted starters. So Tsao, a top starting pitching prospec
t who had elbow surgery in 2001 and battled shoulder problems this year, fits w
ith how Colorado has filled the post in the past.
Of course, there's a difference between filling a role and actually being a clo
ser. Tsao, the first Major League pitcher from Taiwan, pitched like one on Thur
sday. Emboldened by a three-run lead, he set aside his nasty but difficult-to-c
ommand slider and stayed aggressive in the strike zone with his fastball and ch
angeup. But whether that continues is anyone's guess.
But now that Tsao, whose native language is Mandarin Chinese, is improving his
grasp of English, the relaxed, playful intensity that many closers carry is eme
rging. Freed of the crush of media from his homeland that accompanied his every
move during a big-league trial last season, Tsao is smiling and joking.
He'll teach a few native words, tell some humorous stories, even do some martia
l arts-style slap boxing with Bo McLaughlin, his pitching coach from Double-A T
ulsa last year who is finishing the year with the Rockies.
"He's got the temperament and he's got the stuff," McLaughlin said when asked i
f Tsao could succeed as closer. "Now, it's just a matter of putting everything
together after waiting around to come into a game. But we'll see what he's got,
see how it goes."
Tsao said, "I'm having fun. Last year was my first year, so everything was new
for me. I'm having more fun because I understand more."
Addicted to glove: A throwing error on Rockies second baseman Aaron Miles on We
dnesday night brought the total for Colorado infielders this season going into
Thursday to 34 -- lowest in the Majors.
The other three regular infielders lead their positions in fielding percentage
-- first baseman Todd Helton at .007, third baseman Vinny Castilla at .986 and
shortstop Royce Clayton at .987. The last team to have that many infielders lea
d their positions was the 1999 New York Mets.
Overall, Colorado had 83 errors and will finish with its fewest over a 162-game
schedule. The previous mark was 94 in 2000.
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the app
roval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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