BASEBALL 2002 Joe Mahoney © News ^ Youth movement From left, Colorado Rockies players Juan Pierre, Juan Uribe, Jose Ortiz and Ben Petrick pose at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz., during spring training in February. This year the Rockies are undertaking the transition from a team looking for a quick fix into a franchise with an eye on the future. Full story » Profiles  Juan Pierre »  Ben Petrick »  Jose Ortiz »  Juan Uribe » DIVISION PREVIEWS  NL West  NL Central  NL East  AL West  AL Central  AL East KIDS' STUFF The Rockies could have four players 25 or younger getting most of the playing time up the middle -- at catcher, second base, shortstop and center field. Full comparison » TEAM COMPARISON Success and failure are being dealt with differently as many teams try to change their ways in 2002; here's what lies ahead for some of the best -- and worst -- in baseball... Yankees  Making more improvements Athletics  Trying to stay competitive Indians  Losing dominance, powerful offense Twins, Expos  A matter of survival

Cementing the foundation
The Colorado Rockies today begin their 10th season. And they finally get down to the basics. Intoxicated by their quick rise to contention, the Rockies tried unsuccessfully for six more years to find that missing piece that would turn them into a champion.
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A hard look at the new look
The Colorado Rockies have taken a low-key approach to what lies ahead this time. There are no proclamations of greatness, no predictions of a pennant. This is a season in which the Rockies have decided to give young players a chance, to look for a long-term nucleus.
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No promises as Rockies prepare for 10th opener
Their hopes are tempered, and the chest-thumping of a year ago is missing. The Colorado Rockies have flown beneath the national radar all spring, an overlooked team when playoff aspirants are discussed.
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Baseball in eye of labor storm
After the shortest off-season in history, the 2002 regular season is under way. Commissioner Bud Selig said last week the regular season and playoffs will not be interrupted by the clubs locking out the players or unilaterally implementing a new labor agreement. But will baseball be able to avoid its ninth work stoppage since 1972?
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Not-so-minor detail
The past four years P.J. Carey has provided the Rockies' young prospects with an introduction to professional baseball, managing the rookie-level farm club, overseeing the Arizona Instructional League in the fall and running the extended spring training program in the spring. This year, though, Carey has a new challenge.
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Lincicome: Opening Day, April 1: More than coincidence
Appropriately on April Fool's Day set off on yet another major league baseball season, and we discover that the team in Florida is owned by the folks from Montreal, that the team in Montreal is owned by nobody, and that they are thinking of putting advertising signs on the Green Monster in Boston where the Red Sox are now owned by the folks from Florida.
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Ringolsby: Younger Rockies team opens season today
The Colorado Rockies are younger than ever, relying on a 25-and-younger quartet up the middle. They have shown signs this spring of being a solid team. But they aren't going to have much margin for error once they open the regular season today in St. Louis.
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Frustrated Walker expects more One day, Larry Walker denounced management of the Colorado Rockies for untruths regarding his lack of commitment. The next day, he wondered why there was such a big deal made out of his pronouncement. "It's nothing new," he said. "It's the same thing that's been said over and over." FULL STORY »