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Rockies owner says he’s sorry for prickly emails

By WTOP Staff

ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Sports Writer

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort says he’s sorry for his testy reactions to disgruntled fans, including telling one of them that maybe Denver doesn’t deserve a Major League Baseball team anymore.

In a statement released by the club Friday, Monfort said he has no intention of moving the team and formally apologized for his prickly email replies.

In a series of responses to fans unhappy with the bad baseball they’ve been witnessing, Monfort suggested they not come out to Coors Field if they’re that mad and suggested that Denver might not deserve a team.

“I want to express my sincere apology to Rockies fans that received a recent email response that was not consistent with our organization’s values,” Monfort said in a statement Friday. “I have always tried to be open, friendly and understanding. Obviously, at times I have failed. The fact that so many of you take the time to write to us demonstrates your tremendous passion for the Rockies.”

Monfort added, “We’re not interested, nor have we ever been interested, in the relocation of our franchise. A report last night stated that in an email I sent to one of our fans, I felt Denver wasn’t deserving of a franchise. I want everyone to know that leaving Colorado has never been, and will never be an option. Our fans are our biggest asset and we do not take their support lightly. We’re blessed to be a part of this great community and we want to bring a championship to all of our fans that they so richly deserve.”

Monfort concluded by saying, “I want our fans to know that our entire organization is committed to great baseball and a great experience. I’m sorry I created this confusion.”

KCNC-TV in Denver reported Thursday night that a longtime season ticket-holder, a 57-year-old man who asked not to be identified, sent an email to the Rockies’ fan feedback line on July 5, suggesting the Monforts were inept.

Monfort personally emailed the fan back the following day, saying, “By the way you talk maybe Denver doesn’t deserve a franchise, maybe time for it to find a new home. Thanks.”

Monfort backtracked when asked about his exchange with the fan, telling the TV station, “What I meant to say was maybe we, the owners, don’t deserve a franchise.”

Two other contentious emails have surfaced from Monfort in response to unhappy fans who complained following Colorado’s 9-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 4.

Michael Ferguson of Grand Junction, Colorado, filled out a comment card at Coors Field as he was leaving the ballpark that night in which he expressed his displeasure with the product on the field, to which Monfort replied: “If product and experience that bad don’t come!”

After Ferguson went public with the owner’s response, a team spokesman said Monfort emailed Ferguson with an apology.

The Denver Post reported a third exchange with an unhappy fan, Marilyn Yetzbacher of Northglenn, Colorado, who complained that the Rockies “charge major-league prices for a Triple-A team.”

The newspaper reported that Monfort’s email to her said: “If it is that upsetting don’t come to the games, if I don’t like a restaurant because of the food or prices I just don’t go, Colorado Springs has a different experience, maybe that would be more enjoyable.”

The Rockies’ top farm affiliate plays in Colorado Springs.

Monfort raised eyebrows this spring when he predicted a 90-win season for his club despite a payroll of about $92 million that pales in comparison to that of the Dodgers, who set a record with an opening-day payroll of $234 million, and fellow NL West rival San Francisco (about $147 million).

After a strong start, the Rockies have been beset by injuries and inconsistency and are once again one of the worst teams in baseball following a franchise-worst 8-20 record in June.

Taking a 39-53 mark into a weekend home series against Minnesota, the Rockies are on pace for their fourth straight losing season and their 15th in their 22-year existence.

Before Friday night’s game, which drew another good crowd at Denver’s downtown ballpark, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said, “I appreciate all the fans that come out. My task every day is to try to lead the guys on the field and win the game that night. … We’ve had great fans here for a long time. I played here for four years, worked for the organization for seven more years and now managing. We have great fan support. We all hope that continues.”

Slugger Carlos Gonzalez, who was activated Friday after missing more than a month with an injured finger, defended Monfort, saying, “I think it was one of those things when people just get confused. He is a very respectful person. He’s never said anything to offend our team. This is a good baseball city. I am sure he is very happy to have everybody show support for the Rockies. This is his team.”

___

AP freelance writer Dale Bublitz contributed to this report.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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