Cron's All-Star journey one of ups, downs -- and laughs

Rockies All-Star first baseman C.J. Cron doesn’t let us in on much.

While watching the flight of his 486-foot homer, part of a two-homer, five-RBI performance against the Padres on June 17, he gently laid his bat aside. After striking out with the bases loaded during a loss in Minnesota on June 26, he treated his bat no differently.

However, the publicly reserved Cron is demonstrating for his teammates and coaches a quick-witted sense of humor and an unstrained spirit. His first-half performance -- 21 homers, 69 RBIs and .902 OPS -- is helping fuel the team’s belief that it can overcome a messy start and become relevant in the postseason chase.

MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: Tuesday on FOX

But the looseness Cron brings off the field is almost as important. The Rockies have cause to be mood-swingy -- the difference between baseball in Denver’s unique atmosphere and in other cities and ballparks can sometimes feel like a separate sport. And throughout their history, the best Rockies have tended to be “grinders,” the guys who settle every problem by working harder.

“In the best way possible, we’re kind of like a yin and yang,” said outfielder Charlie Blackmon, whose magnetic beard and witty disposition in public-facing endeavors are his way of getting away from his "ultra-grinder" approach to his job.

“He’s very loose and relaxed," Blackmon said of Cron. "It’s good for me to have him around. Like, ‘Oh, yeah, we’re playing a game.’ Just from seeing him when he was on other teams, I’d have never guessed he is as funny as he is.”

Outside of the 1995 team that made the playoffs in the Rockies’ third year of existence, a club built through the expansion draft and free agency, the Rockies’ best years have come when players developed by the organization have come together. But there have also been key veterans who brought flavor from their experiences.

The Rockies signed Cron -- first to a Minor League deal before last year with the thought of him being the regular at first base, then the two-year, $14.5 million extension he agreed to after last season -- to be their first baseman. How he fits off the field has been a bonus.

While it’s easy to listen to trade rumors -- perhaps, Cron for younger players who, if they pan out, could make future Rockies teams better -- his desire to be here and his importance to this team lead most observers to believe he’ll not only stay in Colorado past the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline, but could be here even longer. Elehuris Montero (currently with Triple-A Albuquerque) has struggled with Major League breaking pitches in his intermittent opportunities, while 2019 top pick Michael Toglia (currently with Double-A Hartford) is showing power but going through developmental ups and downs.

Given his track record prior to landing with the Rockies, Cron’s Major League travels have brought perspective.

He broke in with the Angels in 2014, at designated hitter and first base, on a club with Albert Pujols (who will be an All-Star teammate of Cron’s on Tuesday). From there, Cron spent a season each with the Rays, the Twins and the Tigers. Upon arriving in Denver, he assessed the culture and saw what he could add.

“I’ve been on a lot of teams,” Cron said. “Each has its own philosophy. The Rays and the Twins were super-analytical, but in the clubhouse they were super, super laid-back. And I’ve been on teams like the one here, a little bit old-school -- guys with a super-focused mentality.

“If you’re in the clubhouse, you can have fun with the guys and then turn it on when the game starts," added Cron. "It helps me take my mind off the game while the game is not actually going on.”

Exactly how funny is Cron? Players tend to be tight with details regarding behind-the-scenes quips, but he's clearly a unique clubhouse personality.

“He’s a great leader who has seen a lot of different sides to this game,” third baseman Ryan McMahon said. “Some bad things -- he’s been DFA’d [designated for assignment, which he was in 2018 by the Rays despite hitting 30 homers], and recently he’s seen a lot of good things.

“He says what everybody's thinking, but everybody is afraid to put it that way.”

Hitting coach Dave Magadan appreciates how Cron speaks up -- which is a good thing, since Cron often breaks the ice in hitters' meetings.

“He has a way of breaking it down to the bare bones,” Magadan said. “Sometimes as a hitting coach you can’t see the forest for the trees, when the answer is pretty simple. That’s especially the case with him.”

So, how does Cron’s wit fit with the rest of his teammates?

“Usually jokes have at least a little bit of truth, so I poke the bear a little bit,” Cron said. "And they can poke me, too. I love it, actually.”