Aaron Cook News: Pro Sports Daily

Postseason isn't life or death for Rockies' Aaron Cook

Comment

October 9

Denver Post

"It was the fourth inning Thursday afternoon, and the Rockies' Aaron Cook couldn't seem to get through a 1-2-3 frame. The Phillies had a man on in each of the first four innings, and while they hadn't scored, you figured the world champions were ready to break Cook - and the Rockies' season. Ryan Howard led off the fourth with a single. Up stood Jayson Werth, he of the 36 homers, 99 RBIs and Wednesday's triple that, if not for the wicked wind, might still be flying. A packed house of 46,528 at Citizens Bank Park screamed for purple blood while twirling white towels. Cook felt as if he were inside of a loud washing machine. What'd he do? When times got tough Thursday, he stepped off the ..."

Off the back burner, Rockies Cook sizzles

Comment

September 26

Denver Post

"While the Rockies took care of present business Friday night, right-hander Aaron Cook put a possible down payment on the future. After sitting idle since Aug. 21 with a shoulder injury, Cook stepped up with what manager Jim Tracy called a clutch performance just when his pitching staff needed a boost. With five scoreless innings, Cook may have taken a gigantic step toward a spot on the postseason roster if the Rockies make it there. "I'm not worried about the playoff roster," Cook said. "I'm worried about going out and keeping us in games. Tracy will decide when the playoff-roster time comes. We have to make the playoffs before we worry about any other decisions." Tracy was impressed with ..."

Cook gets start in bid to make playoff rotation

Comment

September 25

Denver Post

"Forget about his shoulder, Aaron Cook's stomach will be twisting and turning tonight. He returns from a five-week absence, making a bid to stick in the potential four-man playoff rotation. "I am excited," Cook said. "But it's all about going out there and performing." There are no courtesy appearances at this point in the season. Cook is out there because the Rockies believe he can help. He lost that ability before he landed on the disabled list. In his last three starts, bothered by a sore foot and achy shoulder, he was tagged for 14 runs in 10 1/3 innings. "This is an opportunity to get a real good look at Cook against a real good opponent and see how good his stuff is," manager Jim ..."

Rockies Cook excited to make return to the mound

Comment

September 23

Denver Post

"How eager is Aaron Cook to get back in the pennant race? "I told (manager) Jim Tracy the other day to just give me 20 minutes notice and I'll be ready," Cook said. Tuesday afternoon, Tracy informed the right-hander he would start Friday night's game against the Cardinals. Cook will be limited to about 70 pitches, but at least he's in the mix to pitch in the postseason, if the Rockies get there. "I don't care how many pitches I get Friday," Cook said. "I just want to go out there and do what I can." Tracy chose Cook over veteran righthander Jose Contreras. Contreras' strained right quadriceps appears to be healed, but Tracy isn't ready to chance Contreras having to make a quick play in the ..."

Rockies' Cook to start Friday vs. Cardinals

Comment

September 23

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook will be rewarded for a month of tireless rehab, starting Friday at Coors Field against the St. Louis Cardinals. Cook has been out with a strained right shoulder, but has been making steady progress. With his mechanics improving and arm strength building, the right-hander will be back on the mound in what could be an audition to make the playoff roster. "We are looking to get 70 pitches from him," said manager Jim Tracy, who will now have Jason Hammel pitch Thursday in the series finale against the Padres. For Cook to have a chance to be on the postseason roster, it's important that he get into a game. Those who have faced him in simulated game said his ball is sinking well. ..."

Cook works out, holds out hope for 2009 return

Comment

September 14

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook knows the plan. He also knows it's not written in ink. The Rockies right-hander threw a 25-pitch side session Sunday at Petco Park and still believes he will pitch again in a major-league game this season, though it's not currently mapped out that way. "That's my goal," said Cook, out since Aug. 22 with a strained right shoulder. "I understand they are trying to be cautious, but I believe I will be in a big-league game based on how I feel right now." Manager Jim Tracy explained Saturday that Cook would go to the instructional league, with no plan to have him return during the regular season. That would make it highly unlikely that Cook would be in the Rockies' playoff rotation. ..."

Rotation plans don't include sidelined Cook

Comment

September 13

Denver Post

"The Rockies have never had a better rotation. But Aaron Cook, a key member, will not have a chance to contribute anymore during the regular season, according to the plan mapped out Saturday by manager Jim Tracy. Cook, who has been sidelined since Aug. 22 with a strained right shoulder, is making steady progress. But after throwing a bullpen session and facing hitters, Cook is scheduled to throw in the Arizona instructional league rather than the big leagues. That conservative route makes it highly unlikely Cook would rejoin the rotation for the first round of the playoffs. "We don't want to push Cook too quickly. We will set up one to two simulated games," Tracy said. "And we can turn up ..."

Off day a good day for injured cook, Fowler

Comment

September 2

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook played catch. And Dexter Fowler didn't limp. As such, Monday represented a day of progress for injured Rockies. Cook threw from 60 feet, testing his strained right shoulder. He believes he will pitch again this season, though it likely won't happen for another two to three weeks. Newly acquired Jose Contreras will replace him in the rotation for the time being, making his Rockies debut Saturday against the Diamondbacks. Fowler is inching his way back to the active roster. He had his right knee drained of fluid. It eased the pain, allowing him to ride a stationary bike Monday. "It's feeling better," said Fowler, who is eligible to come off the disabled list next Tuesday. The ..."

Cook gets 'glowing report' on shoulder

Comment

August 25

MLB.com

"The Rockies might be breathing a sigh of relief Monday.Manager Jim Tracy announced that the MRI result on Aaron Cook's sore right shoulder was completely clean."We got just a very, very glowing report that there's absolutely nothing structurally wrong with the shoulder," Tracy said.Cook, the ace of the staff, hurt his shoulder in the fourth inning Friday against the Giants. He walked Nate Schierholtz on four pitches and motioned to the dugout with his glove that there was something wrong with him."

Cook on DL, could miss September

Comment

August 23

Denver Post

"The Rockies' opening-day starter might be robbed of another closing kick. Aaron Cook was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and will undergo an MRI on his strained right shoulder Monday. Manager Jim Tracy anticipates Cook will miss three-plus weeks at the minimum. That means with any setback, Cook will run out of time in the regular season. "I will have more information for you on Monday, but he's going to be out for a while," said Tracy, comparing Cook's injury to that suffered by Franklin Morales, who missed a month earlier this season. This marks the third consecutive season Cook has been hit by late-season injuries. He lost time in 2007 with a strained oblique and last season ..."

Cook sidelined for weeks with sore shoulder

Comment

August 23

Denver Post

"The Rockies' opening-day starter might be robbed of another closing kick. Aaron Cook will undergo an MRI on his strained right shoulder Monday, but manager Jim Tracy anticipates Cook will miss three-plus weeks at the minimum. That means with any setback, Cook will run out of time in the regular season. "I will have more information for you on Monday, but he's going to be out for a while," said Tracy, comparing Cook's injury to that suffered by the Rockies' Franklin Morales, who missed a month this season. This marks the third consecutive season Cook has been struck by a late-season injury. He lost time in 2007 with a strained oblique and last season with a back problem. Cook has not been ..."

Cook cleared to make Saturday start

Comment

August 13

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook grimaced a few times during his side session today, but it was because of tight tape, not his sore big right toe. The Rockies' ace was able to throw all his pitches, clearing the way for him to make his scheduled start Saturday against the Florida Marlins. "I feel fine. I am ready to go," Cook said. Cook was pushed back from Tuesday to Saturday after developing inflammation in his toe. Basically, it's a turf toe. As protection, Cook will wear a cleat with a metal shank and his toe will have a rubber donut around it. "And he won't be taped as tight," said trainer Keith Dugger with a smile. "It was a really good bullpen.""

Cook pushed back to rest big toe

Comment

August 9

MLB.com

"Rockies manager Jim Tracy announced before Sunday's game against the Cubs that staff ace Aaron Cook's next start will be pushed back. Cook was slated to start Tuesday against the Pirates but will now pitch on Saturday against the Marlins. The right-hander suffered a hyperextension of the right big toe in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Phillies when he was backing up third base on a Jimmy Rollins triple in the fifth inning. Cook said the toe began to irritate him in New York, which was the first stop during the Rockies' recent 10-game road trip. Cook said he feels discomfort when his right foot is pushing off the pitching rubber. He will see a foot specialist Monday. "As you're pushing off, ..."

Cook's Start Pushed Back

Comment

August 9

InsideTheRockies.com

"Aaron Cook, who had been scheduled to start Tuesday against the Pirates, instead will start Saturday at Florida, manager Jim Tracy announced. Josh Fogg and Jhoulys Chacin would be candidates to replace Cook, who has a sprained right big toe, in the opener of the series against Pittsburgh. Cook had been dealing with toe soreness and aggravated the injury in his last start Wednesday at Philadelphia when he went to back up third base and had to reach for an errant throw. "We're making very, very good strides with it," manager Jim Tracy said. "But we really feel, similar to the Marquis blister that if we push this and run him right back out there on Tuesday, we're running the risk of having ..."

Cook will miss start with toe injury

Comment

August 9

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook's jammed right big toe has put the Rockies in a bind. The injury will force the ace right-hander to miss Tuesday's start against the Pirates. He's penciled in to start Saturday in Florida against the Marlins. Manager Jim Tracy said this morning that either veteran Josh Fogg or rookie Jhoulys Chacin will replace Cook for Tuesday's game. Tracy's preference is to go with Fogg, but that plan would be scrapped if the Rockies need Fogg for long relief today or Monday vs. the Cubs. "We are making very good strides with Aaron," Tracy said. "But we feel like if we push it and start him on Tuesday, we running the risk of having this be a toothache that won't go away for a while." Tracy ..."

Cook reinjures toe, vows to make next start

Comment

August 7

Denver Post

"During the fifth inning Thursday, Aaron Cook gave up a triple to Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins. When Cook sprinted from the mound to back up third base, he felt searing pain in his right big toe. "I had it taped up, and it was feeling good until today," Cook said after his seven- game winning streak came to an end with a 3-1 loss. "When I was covering third today and got up on my toe, it felt like somebody had jammed something up through the bottom of my foot." Cook has been dealing with what he called "a jammed toe" for a few games now. He said it won't keep him out of his next start, scheduled for Tuesday night against the Pirates. In five innings, Cook allowed three runs and seven ..."

Cook one step closer to being Rockies' winningest pitcher

Comment

May 11

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook gained his 54th victory in a Rockies uniform, leaving him alone in second place for most wins among pitchers in franchise history. He entered Sunday tied with Pedro Astacio. Cook now trails only Jason Jennings, who had 58 career wins with the Rockies. Cook improved to 2-1 this year, whittling his ERA to 5.03. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits. His effective sinker yielded 10 groundball outs. Calling on "Q." Omar Quintanilla made his first start of the season, getting the call at second base. He was the last player on the Rockies' opening-day roster to make a start. Quintanilla went 0-for-3 and had a walk. Still struggling. Garrett Atkins, who ..."

Cook of old returns

Comment

April 30

InsideTheRockies.com

columnist Jack Etkin

"It's impossible to minimize the importance of Aaron Cook to the Rockies. He won 16 games last year, pitched in the All-Star Game and was the Opening Day starter. If the Rockies are going to contend, if they are going to make some noise in the National League West, Cook, plain and simple, is going to have to do well. "I can't overstate it," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's our guy. He's our ace. You want your No. 1 out there. You want him pitching big games. He knows that. He takes accountability and responsibility every time he takes the mound." Lately, he had left the mound with more than his share of frustration _ no wins in his first four starts, all games the Rockies lost. What the ..."

Cook Looks for Positive

Comment

April 25

InsideTheRockies.com

"Aaron Cook was the stopper for the Rockies a year ago. This year, he's been stumped. A year ago, it was Cook who provided the bright moments, particularly during the early weeks when the Rockies dug themselves a hole from which they never climbed out. From a franchise record eight consecutive winning starts - beginning with his third start of the season - to nine times stepping up to stop losing streaks, Cook was a legitimate All-Star. The shine has been dulled so far this year. With the Rockies failing to take advantage of an early schedule heavy on games against the rest of the NL West, Cook has seen them lose all four games he has started. He has failed to get past the sixth inning yet, ..."

Cook Sinker Missing

Comment

April 19

InsideTheRockies.com

columnist Tracy Ringolsby

"Shrug off Aaron Cook's Opening Day struggle in Arizona. It was, after all, Opening Day, and the ball was carrying at Chase Field, as even the Diamondbacks could attest. Last Sunday against Philadelphia, Cook may not have been Cook at his best, but on a frigid afternoon at Coors Field he was good enough to get a victory if the Rockies late-inning relievers hadn't been so bad. Saturday, against the Dodgers? There's no way to rationalize the mess. The only thing keeping it from being a perfect afternoon was Cook, himself. "Los Angeles in the day time?'' said Cook. "It's warm, You get a good sweat. You get good movement. It was as normal as it can get.'' That is, it was as normal as it can ..."

Ramirez rough on still-winless Cook

Comment

April 19

Denver Post

"With homers and dreadlocks flying, plus miscues in the outfield, it was definitely a very Manny day at Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The end result was a 9-5 Los Angeles laugher over the Rockies and their struggling ace, Aaron Cook. It was the Dodgers' seventh consecutive win. Manny Ramirez hit his first two homers of the season in his first two at-bats, both off Cook. "I just didn't have it," said Cook, a 16-game winner and all-star last season who's winless this season after three starts with a 10.22 ERA. "I had a good game plan, but I didn't execute any of my pitches." Cook's ragged outing was reminiscent of opening day against Arizona, when he left the ball up and paid a heavy ..."

Cook's sinker aids his rise to respectability

Comment

April 13

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook is back. That 2 1/3-inning meltdown on opening day last week in Arizona? Just a temporary leave of absence. And although the Rockies lost 7-5 to the Phillies on Sunday, Cook looked much like the pitcher who made the All-Star Game last summer. "He seemed to be more aggressive," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He made pitches; he battled on a cold and challenging day to be out there. He had nine groundballs that he rolled for 11 outs." Cook's pitching line - three runs and seven hits over six innings - wasn't great, but it should have been enough for a victory. Cook's best friend, as always, was his double-play sinker. He escaped jams in the fourth and sixth with inning-ending ..."

Cook vs. Webb Monday in Arizona

Comment

April 6

InsideTheRockies.com

"Rockies (Aaron Cook, 16-9, 3.96 in 2008) vs. Diamondbacks (Brandon Webb, 22-7, 3.30 in 2008). Cook is 5-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 18 career appearances against Arizona, 14 starts. He was 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA in three starts against Arizona last year, including 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two games at Arizona. Cook's headaches: Chris Snyder (.571) and Chad Tracy (.515). Cook's relief: Connor Jackson (0-for-12) and Justin Upon (.111). Webb is 11-7 with a 3.54 ERA in 25 career starts against the Rockies, 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in four starts last year after going 2-4 in 10 starts two previous season. Eleven wins are second most for him against a team, two fewer than San Francisco. Webb's headaches: Brad ..."

Opening Day Starter Aaron Cook

Comment

April 1

InsideTheRockies.com

"Tracy Ringolsby of insidetherockies.com caught up with right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook in the final days of spring training to discuss his assignment on Opening Day at Arizona on Monday. Tracy: Any difference starting on Opening Day for a second time? Aaron: It's a good feeling. I've been there before, so I know what to expect. I am able to approach it a little more relaxed. Tracy: Does facing a team like Arizona so many times each year become a problem? Aaron: You face your high school rival all the time, too. It means you know each other. Whoever executes wins. Everybody knows what each other is capable of and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It is a matter of knowing what to do ..."

Cook pitches five strong innings for "W"

Comment

March 23

Denver Post

"Crank up the pitch count and Aaron Cook looks regular-season ready. "I feel like I'm in a great place," the Rockies' ace said Sunday after holding the Indians to one run on five hits in five innings. "I feel like I'm able to use all of my pitches. I've been pitching in the strike zone effectively. I definitely feel like I'm pitching well." Two weeks from today, Cook is scheduled to step on the mound at Chase Field in Phoenix for the Rockies' regular-season opener vs. the Diamondbacks. He threw just 59 pitches Sunday, but between now and the April 6 opener he'll start adding volume, beginning with a seven-inning outing Friday against Seattle. Cook's 1.89 ERA is second- best in the Cactus ..."

Rox: ace Cook out for the season

Comment

September 24

Denver Post

"There will be no fifth attempt at tying the Rockies' single-season record of 17 victories. Manager Clint Hurdle confirmed today that pitcher Aaron Cook has been shut down for the season and will not make his previously-scheduled start Friday in Arizona. Jason Hirsh will replace him, making his first start of the season. "I give Aaron a lot of credit for thinking through this and not just shutting down immediately," Hurdle said. "He's been red-lining it the last few starts. And I think the risk of injury is real if he would go back out there." Cook, who leads the Rockies with 16 wins and a 3.96 ERA, has been bothered off and on by back pain since the All-Star game. "I took a lot of things ..."

Cook could be making final start

Comment

September 21

Denver Post

"The Rockies' rotation, lineup and bench have become a fluid situation because of injuries and the team's non-contender status. Manager Clint Hurdle hinted tonight's game against Arizona might be Aaron Cook's last start, replaced in the rotation by Jason Hirsh. Cook is attempting to tie the franchise single-season record with 17 victories. But he has dealt with back stiffness for much of the second half, leaving Hurdle to admit, "we will see if he has another start in him. We could slide Hirsh in there." Slugger Matt Holliday is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the weekend series with a stiff back, apparently hurt while fielding. Holliday should return Tuesday at San Francisco. ..."

Maddux, Cook match zeros

Comment

September 15

Denver Post

"The 28,910 patrons in attendance at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon viewed two masterpieces for the price of one. One artist, four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux, wore Dodger blue. The other, sinkerball specialist Aaron Cook, wore the home whites of the Rockies. Together, they painted the longest 0-0 game in Coors Field history. The tie was finally broken in the 10th inning on a walkoff, bases-loaded single to right by Troy Tulowitzki off Los Angeles reliever Hong-Chih Kuo. The slicing single down the right-field line scored Matt Holliday and gave the Rockies a 1-0 victory, halting their seven-game losing streak. "I think it's important for us to finish the season strong and show ..."

Cook planning to "execute" his pitches tonight

Comment

September 9

Denver Post

"Rockies starter Aaron Cook has watched videotape. He's talked to pitching coach Bob Apodaca. He's talked to himself. After all of that, his solution to breaking out of his recent slump is quite simple. "It's not really about turning things around," said Cook, who will start tonight's series opener in Atlanta. "I just have to go out and execute my pitches and be myself. I can't put too much pressure on myself." Cook was superb in July, going 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA. The first 20- win season in Rockies history looked realistic. But Cook - now 16-9 with a 4.10 ERA - has struggled in August and September, going 2-3 with a 7.13 ERA. His worst outing of the season was his last one. He gave up six ..."

Cook dissatisfied despite "gritty" effort for 15th win

Comment

August 18

Denver Post

"First, the right-hander's lower back felt fine after he missed his last start because of pain and stiffness. Second, the Rockies' ace earned his 15th victory, remaining on track to win a franchise-record 18 games. But Cook didn't go 3-for-3 because he didn't pitch particularly well, at least not by his standards. Cook lasted just five innings, giving up two runs on seven hits. Manager Clint Hurdle agreed it was a "gritty" effort. "The guys played great defense and gave me some runs," an appreciative Cook said. "I told (pitching coach Bob) Apodaca when I came out that my back feels fine. I just didn't execute my pitches. I got away with some." On his next side session, Cook will work on his ..."

Cook tip-top, hopes to go Sunday

Comment

August 15

Denver Post

"The Rockies were feeling a lot better this morning and last night's win was only partly responsible. Pitcher Aaron Cook threw a side session before the game and said there were no problems with his previously stiff back. He said he hopes to pitch Sunday in the series finale at Washington. Club officials expect to make a decision today. Given that he threw all his pitches pain free, the latest Cook would likely pitch is Tuesday in Los Angeles. Third baseman Garrett Atkins also returned to the clubhouse following his bout with strep throat. He has lost five pounds after being able to eat only a protein shake and a quesadilla over the past two days. He consumed a big breakfast today and ..."

Stiff back to sideline Cook from his Thursday start

Comment

August 13

Denver Post

"The fallout from Aaron Cook's crowning moment continued Tuesday. Though he pitched three terrific innings at the All-Star Game, the right-hander's back hasn't felt right since. He will miss Thursday's start with stiffness in his back, with the idea that extra rest will help keep him off the disabled list. Glendon Rusch will replace Cook in the series finale, followed by Jorge De La Rosa and Livan Hernandez in the rotation. Cook plans to throw a side session Thursday, cautiously eyeing Sunday or Tuesday for his return. Cook ranks second in the National League with 14 wins and has logged 172 innings. "There's a lot of stuff that can be part of the (soreness). The All-Star Game is a bit of ..."

Cook to miss start vs. D-backs

Comment

August 12

Denver Post

"A long season has caught up to Rockies ace Aaron Cook, who will miss Thursday's start with a stiff back, as first reported by The Denver Post today. Cook, who leads Colorado in victories at 14-8, is not expected to land on the disabled list, but is suffering fatigue in his lower back that will require more rest. "We feel by pushing him back, we can avoid the disabled list," said manager Clint Hurdle, who is unsure when Cook will be ready. "If he has to go on the DL, he has to go on the DL missing five starts minimum." Glendon Rusch will fill in for Cook in the rotation followed by Jorge De La Rosa and Livan Hernandez. Cook has downplayed questions about whether he has hit a wall, but he ..."

Cooking up some theories for pitcher's two-game slump

Comment

August 11

Denver Post

"Aaron Cook already has established a career high in victories (14-8) and sparkled in his first All-Star Game appearance. At one point, a 20-win season seemed well within reach. At the least, Cook's chances of setting a franchise record with 18 victories looked realistic. But Cook is struggling, losing two straight, working just 5 2/3 innings in each game. Theories abound for Cook's mini-slump. Manager Clint Hurdle said he was going to talk to Cook about the right-hander's ability to focus on the right target. Cook, however, thinks he has slipped off track for a simple reason. "It's not complicated, I just haven't executed my pitches," Cook said Sunday, the day after the Padres rocked him ..."

Rockies ace Cook proves he's human in loss to Nationals

Comment

August 5

Rocky Mountain News

"If the Rockies needed a wake-up call, they got it Monday night. Looking to make a move in the National League West, fresh off their most successful trip of the season and opening a 10-game stay at Coors Field, they had their ace, Aaron Cook, on the mound against a Washington team that arrived for a four-game visit with the worst record in the majors. The ace got trumped. The Nationals gave the Rockies a 9-4 reminder - if any was needed - that there are no sure things. It was only the Rockies' third loss in their past 14 games at Coors Field, but it dropped them eight games back of NL West-leading Arizona, which rallied to beat Pittsburgh on a night the Rockies let an early lead turn into ..."

Oh, baby: Homecoming satisfying for Cook

Comment

July 26

Rocky Mountain News

"The timing couldn't have been better for Aaron Cook. He took his regular turn Friday for the Rockies one day after his wife, Holly, gave birth here to a son. Pitching with his usual efficiency, Cook smothered the Cincinnati Reds for eight innings. Meanwhile, the Rockies knocked Reds ace Edinson Volquez out of the game early as they began a crucial 10-game trip with a 7-2 victory. Cook, who is from Hamilton, Ohio, which is about 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati, flew here Wednesday. Colton Jeremiah Cook, who weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long, was born in a Cincinnati hospital at 1:33 p.m., which gave Cook the opportunity to rest for a start in which he got 13 groundball outs ..."

Cook earns win No. 13

Comment

July 26

Denver Post

"Numbers told the story of Aaron Cook's sweet homecoming to southern Ohio: He got his 13th victory, leading the Rockies to a 7-2 win over the Reds tonight at Great American Ballpark. He pitched eight innings, allowing one run on five hits, struck out four and didn't walk any. The only extra-base hit he gave up was a triple to Ken Griffey Jr. in the sixth. And the most important stat of all: 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Those are the vitals on Colton Jeremiah Cook, who was born at 1:33 p.m. Thursday in Cincinnati. He's the third child of Aaron and Holly Cook, joining sister Alexis and brother Elijah. The Reds scratched out their only run off Cook in the second on single by Brandon Phillips ..."

Cook finds right recipe against Pirates

Comment

July 21

Rocky Mountain News

"The trademark sinking action was missing from his pitches. Aaron Cook was overthrowing, and the Pittsburgh Pirates were taking hearty, productive swings, reaping the results in the first inning Sunday. "I knew that if I kept doing that all day, it was going to be a real short outing," Cook said. Instead, Cook, incorporating advice from pitching coach Bob Apodaca, made a quick adjustment and settled into a remarkable groove. He retired 18 of the final 19 batters he faced, allowing only a harmless single over his final six innings. Meanwhile, the Rockies offense awakened against Zach Duke after he retired the first 10 batters he faced, and the Rockies completed their first four-game ..."

Cook's star turn still the rage

Comment

July 18

Denver Post

"Even as the Rockies juggle to put together a starting rotation for their last 65 games, the clubhouse was buzzing about ace Aaron Cook's three-inning performance in Tuesday's All-Star Game. "I was jumping up and down," Jeff Francis said. "Now I know how my parents feel when you really root for somebody in a big game." Cook entered the game in the 10th inning and quickly induced two grounders with his sinker, only to see Florida second baseman Dan Uggla make errors on both. Cook intentionally loaded the bases, then got out of the mess with three consecutive groundball outs."

Long wait pays off as Cook excels in extras

Comment

July 16

Rocky Mountain News

"All Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook wanted was a chance to pitch in the All-Star Game. "It's special being here, but you don't want to just be a bystander," he said before Tuesday's game. Cook wasn't. His opportunity didn't come until the 10th inning, but he put on a brilliant display in that inning of what has allowed him to move into the class of elite pitchers. He then took advantage of a break to escape the 11th without giving up a run and got out of another jam in the 12th. His performance kept the National League in the game, which the American League finally won 4-3 in 15 innings."

Cook's clutch work worthy of MVP award

Comment

July 16

Denver Post

"Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook met Hall of Famer Ernie Banks and collected autographs from his teammates. That, he privately figured, would be his all-star highlight Tuesday. Instead, he became a magician, executing the greatest escape from New York since Kurt Russell. He logged three innings — his next start will be pushed back to Saturday — all with accompanying drama. It was nothing short of one of the gutsiest pitching performances in recent all-star memory. The right-hander worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out disaster in the 10th inning, inducing three straight groundballs from Cleveland's Grady Sizemore, Tampa's Evan Longoria and Minnesota's Justin Morneau."

Aaron Cook: Midwestern success story

Comment

July 13

Denver Post

"With his red hair, freckles, All-American smile and Midwestern values, Aaron Cook could be Richie Cunningham reincarnated. Except on the days he pitches. When he takes the mound, his "Happy Days" persona disappears. "It's like I let loose the animal in me or something," Cook said. Mix that mind-set with one of the best sinkers in the game and a mid-90s four-seam fastball and it helps explain why the Rockies' 29-year-old right-hander was selected for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. "One of the best things about Aaron is that he's almost always happy," teammate Brad Hawpe said. "Whether we're at the ballpark or out deer hunting, he's easy to be around, always ..."

Rockies' Cook: From potential to potent

Comment

July 11

Rocky Mountain News

"Cook, who never won more than nine games in any previous season, is 11-6 with a 3.66 ERA for a Rockies team that is 15 games below .500. He's going to his first All-Star Game next week at Yankee Stadium, happily extending his stay in New York, where tonight against the Mets at Shea Stadium, he will try to become the first Rockies pitcher to win 12 games before the All- Star break."

Cook an efficiency expert

Comment

July 2

Rocky Mountain News

"Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook can forget about the All-Star break. He is going to be busy this year. "I rarely lobby for a player, but this time, I'm going to call the (All-Star) manager," said Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, tongue-in-cheek. Hurdle is the All-Star manager, an honor he earned for managing the Rockies to the National League pennant last year. And while the official word won't come for a few more days, rest assured, Cook will be on the NL All-Star team, quite possibly as the starting pitcher for the July 15 game at Yankee Stadium. "Tell Clint I appreciate that," Cook said. Cook can't appreciate Hurdle's endorsement anywhere near as much as Hurdle has come to appreciate ..."

Cook shines as Rox end 8-game skid

Comment

July 2

Denver Post

"It began as an answer and became a recipe for revival. In order to pry open the lid on this season's casket, the Rockies, in manager Clint Hurdle's estimation, need to forget personal statistics. "One of the problems you have in athletics is that when things go bad you internalize and become so focused on not being the weak link that you don't play to win," Hurdle explained. "All we did in the second half of last season was throw it out on the field and not worry about that. We need to find a way to rekindle that." Or you can just pitch Aaron Cook. For all the Rockies' problems, the game appears pretty simple when he's on the mound. Cook made one heck of a pitch to start the ..."

Cook solid as Rockies win

Comment

June 16

Denver Post

"As first halves go, Aaron Cook has enjoyed a terrific season. Exorcising demons from his lone forgettable outing, a meltdown against the Chicago Cubs, the right-hander worked six solid innings in the Rockies" 5-3 victory today over the White Sox. The win was Cook's 10th, a single-season career best. That fact will get a lot of play over the next two weeks when the right-hander, barring injury, lands on the National League All-Star staff. Colorado won its fourth consecutive series as it crawls back into contention in the outrageously mediocre National League West."

Cook on inside of all-star berth

Comment

June 12

Denver Post

"With a 9-3 record and a 3.21 ERA, Aaron Cook is on the fast track to the All-Star Game, though he would rather not talk about it. "Seriously, the only time I think about it is when you (media) guys bring it up," Cook said Wednesday. "I'm just trying to focus on my job every day. Everything else will take care of itself." But Cook acknowledged he's in the best place of his career, and manager Clint Hurdle believes Cook is a strong candidate to pitch at Yankee Stadium on July 15."

Cookie good enough for me

Comment

June 11

Denver Post

columnist Mark Kiszla

"In a baseball season of Rocky Mountain lows, when smiles have been rarer than victories and the mood music at Coors Field has often been dead air, the home crowd yearns for any good reason to get on its feet and shout. So the most remarkable statistic of pitcher Aaron Cook's all-star caliber performance cannot be found in the scorebook. He leads the Rockies in standing ovations. The Cookie Monster brings the noise."

Cook hot as a pistol, just like his partner in crime Francis

Comment

June 5

Rocky Mountain News

"OK, so this is what the season was supposed to be like for the Rockies. Amazing what successive strong-arm efforts from Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook, the anticipated 1-2 punch in the Rockies' rotation, can do to cover up other shortcomings and allow the Rockies to feel good about themselves. The afternoon after Francis helped the Rockies end an eight-game losing streak with the team's first shutout of the season, Cook avoided any hangover from his worst performance of the season in a 2-1 victory against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium."