Brandon Wood News

Nearly two decades have passed since the Sky Sox won the Pacific Coast League title, and an optimism-inducing mix of powerful hitters and capable pitchers acquired during an active offseason gives fourth-year manager Stu Cole hope for a long-awaited championship.

The Rockies signed Casey Blake as a veteran insurance plan at third base, but Blake's release earlier this week indicates that Colorado will go ahead with one of their young players at the hot corner.

TEMPE, Ariz. As Brandon Wood returned to Tempe Diablo Stadium in a Rockies uniform Monday, he was in a place he never expected to be.

Dejan Kovacevic is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-380-5677, via e-mail or on Twitter .

When I approached Troy Tulowitzki in the clubhouse early Tuesday morning, he was busy organizing the Rockies' NCAA Tournament pool.