DENVER -- Encased in glass and illuminated, the moment lives on.
By definition, the Rockies' Father's Day victory over the San Francisco Giants marked their 46th win in a 162- game season. Where numbers fail, emotion succeeds.
"It was the biggest game of my career," third baseman Nolan Arenado said.
Arenado walked off the Giants with a home run to complete the cycle. It played out in front of a sellout crowd. In that sense, no display was needed for teammates to remember the accomplishment.
"It is the loudest I have ever heard it here," reliever Adam Ottavino said. "I had heard it was like this before when they were in the playoffs, but I had never experienced it. I had goosebumps for two hours after the game. It was unreal."
Shortstop Trevor Story smiled when told of Ottavino's recollection. It was a common theme in a clubhouse spangled with players who expect good things to happen regardless of the circumstances.
"I had goosebumps, too," Story said. "With Nolan people ask me about him all the time. The word I use is unbelievable. That's how I describe him. And that's how I'd describe what he did."
Special seasons remain defined by flickers in time. The Rockies could live in Sunday's snapshot forever. Arenado screaming in joy, his left eye bloodied from the bill of Charlie Blackmon's helmet, the little-boy enthusiasm in his voice.
"I want to get that jersey at some point," Arenado said. "I want to give it to dad (Fernando)."
Fernando typically coaches on the weekends in southern California, his love for baseball leaving him mentoring at the youth level. Because of Father's day, there was no tournament. He watched his son's magical at-bat in real time.
Eventually, he will possess the jersey as a memento. For now, the uni hangs outside the clubhouse as a signature footnote in what the Arenados hope is an historical season.
"It's cool man," Fernando told Denver7. "Very nice."
Gray will stay on rehab assignment
Starter Jon Gray will return to the Rockies. Just not yet. Given the team's excellence and Gray's lack of work this season, the Rockies decided another rehab assignment would behoove the opening day starter.
"It just makes sense," manager Bud Black said of Gray, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues in two months since breaking a bone in his foot.
Gray figures to throw 90 pitches in his next Triple-A outing, leaving him position to rejoin the Rockies' rotation without limitations. It has been a frustrating season. He loves what the team has done, but wants to help.
"I can't wait to get back out there," Gray said.
Footnotes
Ottavino believes he fixed a mechanical glitch that should help him stay on track. He said film study comparison to 2015 revealed he was landing on his heel and throwing too much across his body. "I feel like I am back on track," Ottavino said. ... The Rockies will have some difficult choices to make when Gray returns. German Marquez has pitched well enough to stay in the rotation, but profiles as a potential reliever. It will be interesting to see if he's considered for the role. ... Players continue to praise first baseman Mark Reynolds, who is pushing for an All Star berth. "I don't want to think of where we would be without him. And he's underrated defensively. I know he has saved me many times," Story said.
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Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.
