Goodnight Funny Man

In Colorado, Steve Finley is politely shown the curb.

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies designated outfielder Steve Finley for assignment and called up Sean Barker from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The club said Barker, also an outfielder, could play Tuesday night when the Rockies play the Houston Astros at Coors Field.

Finley, 42, hit .181 with one home run and two RBIs in 43 games. He is a two-time All-Star (1997 and 2000) and five-time Gold Glove Award winner (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2004). He was the oldest player in Rockies history. The club has 10 days to trade, release or outright Finley to the minors. Barker, 27, hit .333 with five home runs for Colorado Springs. The Rockies chose him in the sixth round in 2002.

Even if his average is making Juan Pierre look like Rod Carew, Finley will always hold a special place in the heart of Dodger nation for his walk off grand slam to clinch the NL West. I've seen some great live moments in sports - Reggie Bush's physics defying TD run against Fresno St, Endy Chavez's catch in Game 7 of the NLCS, Bruno Sammartino beating Paul Orndorf in a cage match - but few hold a candle to watching Finley's long fly ball just barely make it over the fence.