Huston "Street" became a Boulevard of Broken Dreams in a matter of minutes Monday night.  The Rockies closer blew a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth inning that slammed the door on Rocktober in a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia.

It's easy to blame Street.  He had the ball with the game and season on the line and blew it.  But let us not forget the road, or Street as the case may be, the Rockies took to make the playoffs.  Huston was one of the drivers of that bus.  Without Huston, the Rockies would have had a problem.

During the Rockies incredible run from June to October, Huston Street was the team MVP.  The late, dramatic rallies would have all been for not had Huston Street not been on the mound saving 35 games in the 9th inning.  He did it with precision and class that made this Rockies team so much fun to watch this summer.  

Street, along with Carlos Gonzalez, were the players the Rockies got in return for Matt Holliday.  Knowing what I know now, I would make that trade again today without hesitation.  Both players proved their worth as players on the field, and professionals off. 

In honor of Street's brilliant 2009, it's now time for Rockies management to perform a major save of it's own.  Huston Street is eligible for arbitration this off-season.  His "market value" is much more than the $4.5 million he made in 2009.  A good closer is invaluable to a playoff run as was demonstrated this season.  Charlie and Dick Monfort need to come up with the cash  to make sure Huston doesn't find a Street out of Denver like Matt Holliday did last off-season.

Last night, in a somber clubhouse, Huston Street said "You play to win the World Series, I think.  And that's what we definitely think we had a chance to do.  I felt like I let the boys down."

Huston, you didn't let anybody down.  In fact, you lifted everybody up a Mile-High this summer. You gave us reason to believe.  Reason to love baseball once again.  That's worth much more than a World Series in my mind.  For that, we say thank you! 

Huston... You are the ultimate closer.  You saved our hope!  The most brilliant save of 2009.

Jesse Kurtz, KKTV Sports Anchor/Reporter