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Peyton Manning and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton were quarterbacks at the University of Tennessee in the mid '90s and the two have maintained their friendship over the years. So during last summer's NFL lockout, Helton helped arrange to have Manning work out at Coors Field.
A lot has happened since then. For one thing, Manning is now the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, not the Indianapolis Colts. For another thing, Michael Cuddyer has taken his locker.
"I was here for a week. I was truly a Rockie for a week," Manning said after watching batting practice before Sunday's Mets-Rockies game. "I had my own locker. Cuddyer is using my locker now. He didn't ask for my permission but I guess it's OK. It was a great week. I'm indebted to the Rockies because I needed a place to work out during the lockout.
"The whole Rockies organization, I can't thank them enough for opening their arms up to me last year when I was truly an outsider." Because of his friendship with Helton, Manning has visited with the Rockies several times, occasionally taking batting practice and ground balls.
He even hit a ball over the fence during one visit, though he just watched batting practice Sunday.
Manning also visited briefly with New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey, who was at Tennessee at the same time. "RA is 35, I'm 36 and Todd is 38, so that's pretty good for three guys all in school at the same time in the mid-90s to still be doing it. I'm real proud of RA. All that he has accomplished and conquered. Tennessee Volunteers all keep up with each other."
Here are some other stories on Manning's visit:
- Denver Post: Broncos' Peyton Manning enjoys Coors Field as a Rockies fan
- NFL.com: Denver Broncos Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning takes in Rockies game
- MLB.com: David Wright and Manning Connect
- MLB.com: Broncos' Manning roots for adopted home team
- Newsday: Wright's disguise fools Peyton Manning
- Yahoo! Sports: Peyton Manning grateful for Rockies' hospitality
