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None of the big names currently on the Rockies have been outed by the Mitchell report, which was released today. However, the following current and former Rockies players and personnel have been cited. I’m also including a list of people who mentioned in the report who had ties to the cited Rockies players. Position and year is relevant to the players’ tenure with the Rockies. Unless otherwise stated, the players mentioned did not cooperate with the investigation.

Bobby Estalella, Catcher, 2002-03
Substances: HGH, Clomid
Sources: Greg Anderson
Circumstances: Started using HGH and Clomid when recovering from shoulder surgery in 2002, as recommended by Greg Anderson.
Notes: Dodgers scouts noted in 2003 that Estalella was a “poster boy for the chemicals.”

Larry Bigbie, Outfielder, 2005
Substances: Deca-Durabolin, testosterone, Sustanon, anti-estrogen drugs, HGH
Sources: David Segui, Kirk Radomski
Circumstances: Started using Deca-Burabolin, testosterone, and Sustanon in 2001 in an attempt to be more competitive on advice from David Segui. Switched to HGH in 2004 on advice from Kirk Radomski.
Notes: Bigbie has been cooperating with investigators, and noted specifically that he did not use substances during his sting with the Rockies.

Jack Cust, Outfielder, 2002
Substances: Unknown
Sources: Larry Bigbie
Circumstances: Was at least taking steroids by 2003.
Notes: Bigbie’s locker was next to Cust’s at Baltimore’s AAA Ottawa. Cust admitted to Bigbie that he had been taking steroids and could obtain anything he wanted from an unnamed source. Bigbie mentioned Cust’s name to federal agents as a part of his cooperation with the investigation.

Greg Zaun, Catcher, 2003
Substances: Deca-Durabolin, Winstrol
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Luis Perez
Circumstances: Jason Grimsley referred Zaun to Kirk Radomski in 2001. Luis Perez also claimed to have supplied Zaun with steroids in 2002.
Notes: Radomski never actually spoke to Zaun, but did receive orders on his behalf and checks from Zaun.

Glenallen Hill, Coach, 2007
Substances: HGH, Sustanon
Sources: Kirk Radomski
Circumstances: There are differing accounts. Kirk Radomski claims to have met Hill socially in 2000 and sold him several HGH kits. Hill says he bought Sustanon from Radomski after being referred to him by a player named “David.”
Notes: Hill was required to submit to interview for the investigation because he is a current MLB employee. He claims to have never actually taken the substances he received from Radomski because he was too busy dealing with “marital stress” at the time, and retired from baseball only a few years later.

Denny Neagle, Pitcher, 2001-03
Substances: HGH, various anabolic steroids
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Dan McGinn
Circumstances: Neagle met Kirk Radomski in New York in 2000. Neagle ordered from Radomski several times between 2000 and 2004.
Notes: One order was from Dan McGinn, former Rockies clubhouse attendant, who sent a check to Radomski on behalf of Neagle.

Ron Villone, Pitcher, 2001
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Denny Neagle
Circumstances: Rockies pitcher Denny Neagle referred Villone to Kirk Radomski in 2001. Villone made three purchases between 2004 and 2005.
Notes: Villone tried to by HGH in 2006, after the federal investigation had searched Radomski’s home. Radomski told Villone he was dry.

Mike Lansing, Second Base, 1998-2000
Substances: HGH, testosterone
Sources: Kirk Radomski, David Segui
Circumstances: David Segui referred Lansing to Kirk Radomski between 1995 and 1997. Lansing ordered testosterone and HGH on February 5, 2002.
Notes: Kirk Radomski’s address book, which was seized by federal investigators in 2006, contained Lansing’s name and the address of a Colorado residence where Lansing lived when he played for the Rockies.

Kent Mercker, Pitcher, 2002
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski
Circumstances: Mercker ordered one kit of HGH from Kirk Radomski in 2002 when he was recovering from surgery.
Notes: 2002 is the year Mercker played on the Rockies.

Matt Herges, Pitcher, 2007-Present
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Paul LoDuca
Circumstances: Paul LoDuca referred Herges to Kirk Radomski. Herges made several orders between 2004 and 2005.
Notes: Herges called Radomski after the investigation asking for more HGH. Radomski replied that he was dry. Herges was an integral part of the Rockies’ 2007 run to the world series, becoming one of their most effective middle-inning relievers after his July call-up. The Rockies recently signed Herges to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.

Gary Bennett Jr., Catcher, 2001-02
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Denny Neagle
Circumstances: Bennett was referred to Kirk Radomski by Denny Neagle. Bennett made one order for HGH in July 2003.

Sources and their implications
Coming Soon…

Got in some trouble recently with an obnoxious driver when I was trying to “be a responsible person taking a cab.” Now I can’t take cabs, but I still want to be responsible and not drive home after my frequent nights of drunken fun. That’s where you come in?

Qualifications:
-Responsible
-Valid Colorado driver’s license
-Know who Todd Sauerbrun is
-Don’t mind light physical abuse
-Turn off the stereo when told
-Comfortable working with criminals

Meet me outside the Cherry Cricket at 2am this Friday, bring resume. If I wake up at home instead of in a cell, you’ve got the job!

Rocky Mountain News
Previous DSZ Coverage

Todd Sauerbrun was cited for “general assault” on Saturday and apparently spent some time in detox, which I find hilarious. Who else could it have been though? Try to name one player Broncos player more likely to be cited for “general assault.” Exactly. Wouldn’t you figure the more violent players to be more criminally inclined? Todd Sauerbrun and Sebastian Janikowski probably have a criminal kicker convention every offseason btw.

Teh linxor

Travis Henry isn’t gonna be suspended for drug abuse next year, which is a definite positive. In reviewing this NFLPA story about his legal battles, it’s apparent that Henry got off the hook by attacking technicalities in the drug policy, rather than proving he didn’t do drugs. Basically, he’s being let go because an “expert of [his] choosing” wasn’t present at the initial, incriminating drug test. Apparently Henry also did an independent polygraph and hair test to prove he was innocent and gain Mike Shanahan’s support, but I’m not buying it. If the internet is to be believed, both of those tests can be beaten. Plus, look at how short Travis Henry’s hair is:

Just saying.

Relatedly:

Travis Henry played some nose guard in high school and was a Bills fan despite growing up in Florida. Nose guard? Really?

December 15 and 16, 2007 

When you were a kid, remember playing with a LEGO set?  Remember building a rectangular box and calling it a house, then feeling so proud when you managed to build a funny-looking stack that represented a person? 

How about the first time you saw a really incredible LEGO creation that made your efforts look totally lame?

In my case, I simply gave up.  However, there are people out there — adults! — who recognized a challenge and turned their LEGO skills into a true art.   They’ve even formed organizations, and the one I want to tell you about today is known as CowLUG — Colorado/Wyoming LEGO Users Group.

In September, these creative folks set up a large scale LEGO town over a two-day period at the Colorado Mills mall.   That was such a bit hit with local shoppers that they’re going to do it again on December 15 and 16.

If you can get there early on the 15th, you’ll have the best opportunity to watch these LEGO artists actually set up their amazing display.  Once the town is up and running — yes, there are moving objects as part of the display — members of CowLUG will be available to answer questions.

Photos are encouraged, and if you get inspired to try your creative hand with LEGO bricks, the LEGO Outlet store is right there in the mall, ready and waiting to fulfill your dreams!

Here’s a taste of what’s in store for you (wow!):

Here it is. They may have fallen short in the series, but these guys are a special group, I tell you.

If you love skiing and snowboarding, here’s a combo that’ll probably get you drooling!

Volunteer to work at an upcoming race or other competition being held at Winter Park.

a)  You’ll get to watch the competition up close and personal while you work.

b)  You receive a free day pass for the day you are working, so once the event is finished, you can hit the slopes.

c)  For every 4 hours you work as a volunteer, you ALSO get a free, full-day lift ticket which you can use for yourself or give to a friend.  There is no limit to the total number of free lift tickets you can earn, so the more you volunteer, the more you ride for free.

As you can imagine, volunteer spots are limited, and some events are already filled.  Read more about the volunteer system on this Winter Park volunteer page, where you’ll also find contact information and a list of the 2007/2008 Winter season events needing volunteers.

Former Rocky pitcher Joe Kennedy died this morning in his Florida home. Details on the cause of his death are elusive, but I’ve heard speculation of aneurysm/heart failure. Kennedy put in a superb year with the Rox in 2004, and I think he had the biggest curveball I’ve seen thrown at a mile high. Anyway, ESPN has more on the story here.  He and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

I’m glad I caught one of the rare Frank TV commercials during the NLCS, because otherwise I might not have known that it premiered last night. But it did, and let me tell you, that is one awesome show. It relates both to an older, Seinfeld-loving generation and to the future generations watching in 2047. It’s also timely, because nothing says Thanksgiving like Madden-inspired Turducken jokes.

To be honest, I turned it off shortly after 11:15 because I don’t want to get hooked to another show; as Sam would say, my vigorous TV-watching schedule is already jam-packed with stuff, and Battlestar Galactica Razor is coming up on Saturday and all. But if there was one show I would add if I had time, it would be this one. For the record, I thought that part where Frank took the dude from the audience and laid down on his lap was hilarious.

Daylight savings time is gone for a while, the days are shorter and the nights longer, and lots of holidays are coming.  Aha!    Let’s light up the evenings with some
Lights!  Parades!  Action!

So, if you enjoy pretty lights and love a parade, these next couple of months should keep you very, very happy.  Here are some light parades you may enjoy:

Lights of December Parade (Boulder)
December 1, 2007 at 6 PM - downtown Boulder
The parade begins and ends at 15th and Pearl, winding around downtown Boulder.

Christmas Parade of Lights (Cañon City)
December 1, 2007
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 719-275-2331 for details.

Festival of Lights (Colorado Springs)
December 1, 2007 at 5:50 PM - downtown Colorado Springs
(corner of Tejon and St Vrain Street, moving south on Tejon to Vermijo Avenue, turning west to Cascade Avenue, then north to Kiowa Street)
The events include cultural and artistic programs, performances and other festivities.

Parade of Lights (Delta)
December 7, 2007 from 6 to 7 PM
Grand Marshall Santa Claus (the REAL Santa) leads the parade down Main Street from 9th to 3rd. Each year, dozens and dozens of floats compete for prizes and YOUR affection.  After the parade, Santa greets all the children at the Wells Fargo Bank lobby, at 5th and Main.

Parade of Lights (Denver)
November 30 at 8 PM, and December 1 at 6 PM - Downtown Denver
(starts in front of Civic Center Park and the City & County Building on Bannock Street at 14th Avenue)
Spectator viewing for the Parade is free all along the two-mile route.  Marching Bands, Floats, giant balloons, horse-drawn carriages, and numerous performers will keep the crowds oooh-ing and aaah-ing.

Catch the Glow Holiday Celebration & Parade (Estes Park)
November 23, 2007 at 5:30 PM - along Elkhorn Avenue
Theme floats from across America, storybook figures, angels, snowmen, marching bands, entertainers, wildlife characters, the Colorado Crush Arena Football League team will be represented … and Santa ends the parade.  Other events start at noon, including visits with Santa, pony rides, hay rides and adorable walking characters along Elkhorn Avenue.

Parade of Lights (Grand Junction)
December 1, 2007 at 5 PM - Main Street, Downtown Grand Junction, from 9th St. to 2nd St.
Christmas Past, Present, and Future - Watch over 100 floats light up the night on seven blocks of Main Street. 

Country Christmas/Parade of Lights (Holyoke)
December 3, 2007
Holiday kick-off with stores open offering discounts, a parade of lights, soup supper, carolers, hot apple cider, Mr. & Mrs. Santa pictures, free movie, hayrides, and much more.

Hometown Holiday Parade (Longmont)
December 8, 2007 at 5 PM - Main Street
Enjoy 70 parade entries of lights, music and parade action.

Parade of Lights (Lyons) 
December 1, 2007 - 6:30 PM - Parade starts at Main Street and Broadway
7:15 PM - Live music and entertainment - Raul Vasquez Community Stage - Sandstone Park 4th & Broadway
7:45 PM - Fireworks (west of main street) Viewable from Sandstone Park.
8:00 PM - Awards ceremony at the Raul Vasquez Community Stage - Sandstone Park 4th & Broadway

Pueblo Parade of Lights (Pueblo)
November 24, 2007 at 5:30 PM
100 floats, bands, animals, vehicles and individual walkers traverse the 1.2 mile parade route from the Mesa Junction, down Union Avenue and Court Street to Pueblo Bank & Trust for the award ceremony and cider and cookies.  Fireworks, Music and Festive Fun!

Lighting of Christmas Mountain USA (Salida)
December 23, 2007 - Historic Downtown Salida
Come enjoy the festivities, refreshments, decorations, parade and Santa.  Parade of Lights Theme is Christmas through the eyes of a child. 

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade (Winter Park)
December 24, 2007 at 5:30 PM - Base of Winter Park Resort
The event begins with Christmas carols around the bonfire at the base of Winter Park Resort, next to the Zephyr Lift.  At 5:30 PM, a procession of torch-bearing skiers begin their way down Lower Hughes trail, followed by Santa Claus and his helpers.  A fireworks display and snowcats adorned with Christmas colors light up the slopes in a Christmas tree formation to conclude the festivities.