Here we go again, watching another bad game between the "2 biggest rivals in baseball" when the game means nothing. Cubs/Cards series means something and it is in the National League.

The economy is down.  Gas seems like it costs $23 a gallon, and much of the country is battling Mother Nature...and losing, and the Rockies are in the tank.  Not the best of times in the U.S.A.  However, nothing gives us greater perspective on how wonderful our country is than July 4th. 

As a kid, it meant eating Dad's barbecue and running through the sprinkler (or jumping into the pool if you were so fortunate). 

As a teenager, it meant getting together with your friends and checking out the local fireworks. 

As an adult, it means appreciating all that we take for granted on a daily basis.  Nikes, Twinkies, Levis and tuna suprise. 

How great is Our Land?!! 

And of course---in addition to all the aforementioned, there is Sport.  Yeah, the Rockies have underperformed...but heck, the joy of taking in a ballgame is as precious as it is priceless.  On a hot day, a cold beer tastes awesome.  On anyday, hot dogs taste just as good.

Sure, I'm just skimming the surface.  We have a masterful Constitution.  We have a government that, despite being blasted constantly, still works incredibly well.  We have freedom of choice in everything we do.

So thanks to the Founding Fathers.  You did wonders for us back in 1776.  And baseball hadn't even been invented yet.

Aaron Cook deserves to be an all-star. He’s battled to become one of the top pitchers in the National League and he’s battled for his life. 

Cook didn’t pitch for nearly a year, after under going two surgeries to remove blood clots in his lungs. He suffered an oblique injury last August—missing the Rockies run to the playoffs, but he did get activated to pitch in the World Series.  

Cook credits his one start against the Red Sox for his career year. He’s been one of the few reasons to watch the Rockies this season—especially if you think baseball is long and boring. 

His 79 pitch masterpiece last night took less than two hours.  Six of his starts have gone two and a half hours or less. 

He pitches quickly and the wins are quickly adding up. His 11 wins are a third of the Rockies wins this season. Fans can’t vote pitchers into the all-star game, but if they could, he’d get my vote.

I arrived back in Denver yesterday (from Hawaii), realizing that I hadn't missed much.  "Much" being "wins".  The Rockies have tanked.  As the Hawaiians would say to the Rox last shred of postseason hope---Aloha.

Perhaps it's a lingering Island Spirit hangover, but I'm not in the mood to bash the club----their opponents are doing a good enough job of that by themselves.  Yep, my glass is still half full (unlike my wife's many Mai Tais).  Hence, I'm lokoing at all the good that lies ahead:

Broncos begin training camp in 3 weeks.  THREE WEEKS!  That in itself is cause for cheer.  Along the way, we've got the Champions Tour stopping off at the Broadmoor for some golf, the All-Star Game from the Bronx, and of course,hoping the Rox get competitive again.

Really though, all of the other stuff is just sports fodder to get us to training camp.  The Broncos are going to be a fun watch as they get set for the season.  It'll be one of the more meaningful camps in years.....and it's happening in just 3 weeks.

The Rockies have given their two week notice. If they don’t turn it around before the All-Star break, it’ll be open season on the Rockies roster. 

Matt Holliday, Brian Fuentes, and Willy Tavares have been targeted by playoff contenders. Clint Hurdle has been the target by the fans and media. The Rockies are on pace to lose 100 games, but Hurdle shouldn’t take all of the blame. 

Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jiminez have won a combined five games. Manny Corpas can’t close the deal in the 9th—or for that matter the sixth, seventh or eighth. 

Troy Tulowitzki has put so much pressure on himself that Aaron Cook has a higher batting average. Willy Tavares, whose on base percentage is hovering at .300, can steal second and third but he hasn’t figured out that you can’t steal first. 

And Todd Helton has been so inconsistent he can’t find a consistent spot in the batting order. We’re not going to get an encore of Rocktober. It’s rockover, but it will officially end at the trade deadline.

Andrew Brunette has signed a multi-year deal with the Minnesota Wild. Brunette joined the Avalanche after the lockout and played the best hockey of his career. 

He shattered a career high with 83 points during the 2006-2007 season. Brunette, who was one of the Avs most consistent players during his three years with Colorado, is going back to one of his former teams. Brunette played three seasons in Minnesota before coming to Colorado.

Also Tuesday, Kurt Sauer signed a four year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. Jeff Finger signed a four year, $14 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jose Theodore has signed a 2 year 9-million dollar deal with the Washington Capitals.   Theodore won’t be replaced by free agent Christobal Huet. 

He’s widely considered the best available goalie still left on the market. Christobal’s agent told Fox 31 sports today, he’s had no direct contact with the Avalanche and expects his client to sign with another team.

Eduardo Najera will become a free agent at Monday's deadline. “My agent and I haven’t talked to anybody in the Nuggets front office,” said Najera from his home in Oklahoma. “I have talked to George Karl. He told me that he wants me back.” 

Najera, who made nearly 5 million dollars last season, says he’s only looking for a fair deal. “I want to come back to the Nuggets, but I understand this is a business. Money isn’t an issue. I’m not looking to break the bank.”  

Najera says that Dallas and New Jersey are interested in signing him as an unrestricted free agent. A deal with the Nets would reunite Najera with former Nuggets General Manager KiKi Vandeweghe, who brought him to Denver during the middle of the 2005 season. 

Najera, who improved his 3 point shooting during this past season, averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds a game.