Sam Adams Sam Adams joined the Rocky Mountain News in 1996, first as the Denver Broncos beat reporter before taking his current role as sports notes columnist. The Colorado Association of Black Journalists voted Adams the Print Journalist of the Year award in 2003.

The Rockies have a need . . . a need for speed.

Watching former Rockies center fielder Juan Pierre jet around the basepaths for the Chicago Cubs is just a subtle reminder that speed is a missing ingredient in the Rockies' offensive arsenal.

Pierre ranks among the National League leaders in stolen bases (he had 41 going into Friday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies went into the game with a total of 49 steals, with second baseman Jamey Carroll posting a team-best nine.

In a three-season period (2003-05), the Rockies recorded 172 steals. During that same period, Pierre, who was traded from Colorado to the Florida Marlins after the 2002 season, stole 167 bases.

The Rockies record for most steals in a season is 201, set in 1996. The club stole 146 in its inaugural season (1993). The franchise record for least number of steals in a season is 44, in 2004.

NOTEWORTHY

"Got Your Number": 7 players on the Nuggets' roster selected no lower than eighth overall in their respective draft classes -- Andre Miller (eighth in 1999), Nene (seventh in 2002), DerMarr Johnson (sixth in 2000), Carmelo Anthony (third in 2003), Marcus Camby (second in 1996), Kenyon Martin (first in 2000) and recently-acquired Joe Smith (first in 1995).

Quote, unquote I: "Sometimes I want to raise my hand and say, 'Do you see what I see in myself?'" -- Broncos quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, on 850 KOA's "Ride Home" show with hosts Dave Logan and Lois Melkonian.

Quote, unquote II: "I put my glove in the microwave for punishment. It's not me that didn't catch the ball, it's the glove." -- Minnesota Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, on FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period.