Denver columnist accuses Jeremy Guthrie of quitting in Colorado

Jeremy Guthrie was not good in his brief stint in Colorado, that much is clear. Guthrie was dealt to the Rockies before the 2012 season and he stunk out loud in the thin air of Coors Field with a 6.35 ERA in 90 2/3 innings. Guthrie pitched adequately on the road, however, with a 3.67 ERA in 49 innings. The Royals were able to acquire him mid-season for a stinker of their own - left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, and the rest is history. Guthrie pitched well down the stretch for the Royals and re-signed with a three-year contract extension that led to him pitching Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

For whatever reason, Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla, who wisely suggested the Chiefs should quit football after their early season loss to the Broncos this season, decided to use the last day of 2015 to re-open old wounds.

As Rockies fans might recall, Guthrie is one heckuva pool basketball player. But as a pitcher? Oh, nevermind ... https://t.co/YJIyNDYqHf

— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) December 31, 2015

Guthrie tried to take the high road.

. @markkiszla Thank you mark for the parting cheapshot to end 2015. We'll let you know how the ring looks in April. Happy New Year! #Champs

— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) December 31, 2015

Kiszla got saltier.

And thank you @TheRealJGuts for 3-9 and 6.35 ERA in your stint with Rockies :) Am genuinely delighted you escaped to franchise that cares.

— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) December 31, 2015

I have this little quirk: If pitcher is paid $8.2m salary, have some expectation that he will be good for local team. My apologies :)

— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) December 31, 2015

Then he accuses Guthrie of going "nuts" in Colorado.

Kendrick was real pro stuck in bad situation. Guthrie went nuts in Coors. Part of his make-up as tweet today proved. https://t.co/lzqnWOqnvL

— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) December 31, 2015

Then he flat accuses Guthrie of quitting.

Guts is great dude. Guts also quit in Colorado. Everybody, including Guts, knows that. Which is why he got touchy. https://t.co/ivPnDxCQhN

— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) December 31, 2015

Guthrie defended himself.

Hey @markkiszla,admittedly I have sucked a chunk of my career.The reason I'm still around is the lack of QUIT, don't ever accuse me of that!

— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) December 31, 2015

There is no doubt Guthrie pitched very poorly in his nine games in Coors Field while in a Rockies uniform (46 runs in 41 2/3 innings - oof). But his road numbers were decent, which makes it hard to believe he "quit." In any case, it seems odd to accuse an athlete of who last pitched in town three years ago and has gone on to win two pennants and a championship, of quitting.

But I guess it beats writing about the collapse of their football team.