The History of the Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team that plays in the National League West division. The team is based in Denver, Colorado, and plays its home games at Coors Field. The Rockies were founded as an expansion team in 1993 along with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. 

The Rockies began building their team through the expansion draft in November 1992, selecting players from other teams in the league. Among the players chosen were pitcher David Nied, outfielder Dante Bichette, and catcher Joe Girardi. The team also signed several free agents, including first baseman Andres Galarraga. 

The Rockies played their first game on April 5, 1993, against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. David Nied was the starting pitcher for the Rockies, and he gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, the Mets' Vince Coleman. The Rockies lost the game 3-0. The team's first home game was on April 9, 1993, against the Montreal Expos at Mile High Stadium. The Rockies won 11-4, with Dante Bichette hitting the team's first home run. 

In 1995, the Rockies moved into Coors Field, a brand-new stadium in downtown Denver. The team's offense exploded in the new ballpark and became known as the Blake Street Bombers. The group included Dante Bichette, third baseman Vinny Castilla, first baseman Andres Galarraga, and outfielder Larry Walker. The team set several offensive records in their first season at Coors Field, including scoring 1,167 runs, the most in a single season in Major League Baseball history.

The team finished the 1995 season with a 77-67 record, their first winning season in franchise history. Dante Bichette led the way for the team's offense, hitting .340 with 40 home runs and 128 batted in. The team's pitching, however, struggled, with the highest earned run average in the league.

Despite the struggles on the mound, the Rockies had established themselves as one of the most exciting teams in baseball. The Blake Street Bombers were a potent offensive force, and the team's new ballpark was a destination for baseball fans nationwide.

In the following years, the Rockies would continue to build their team and improve on the field. In 1996, they made their first playoff appearance, and in 2007, they ran to the World Series. Despite the ups and downs, the Rockies have become an essential part of the Denver sports landscape and a beloved team for baseball fans nationwide.

Source:

• "Colorado Rockies Team History & Encyclopedia" by Baseball-Reference.

In 1996, the Colorado Rockies made their first playoff appearance in franchise history. The team had been building towards this moment for several years, and their journey to the postseason was filled with drama and excitement. 

The Rockies entered the 1996 season with high expectations but got off to a slow start. By mid-August, they were hovering around .500 and were falling out of playoff contention. However, a late-season surge propelled them back into the postseason race. On the final day of the regular season, the Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants to clinch the National League Wild Card. 

The Rockies faced the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. The Braves were one of the best teams in baseball, having won the World Series the previous year. The series began in Atlanta, and the Braves convincingly won the first two games. The Rockies' playoff run might be short-lived.

However, the series shifted to Coors Field for Game 3, and the Rockies came alive. They won the game 7-5, with a three-run home run by Ellis Burks providing the winning margin. In Game 4, the Rockies won again, this time by a 10-4. The series was tied at 2-2, and the momentum seemed on the Rockies' side.

In Game 5, the Braves jumped to an early lead, scoring six runs in the first two innings. The Rockies tried to mount a comeback but couldn't catch up. The Braves won 10-4, ending the Rockies' playoff run.

The end of the Rockies' playoff run was disappointing, but it was still a historic moment for the franchise. The team had only been in existence for four years, and they had already made the playoffs. The Blake Street Bombers had become one of baseball's most exciting offensive forces, and the team had established itself as a contender in the National League.

Despite the disappointment of the playoff loss, the future looked bright for the Rockies. They had a talented young core of players, including Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla, and Dante Bichette, and they would continue to be a competitive team for years to come.

Sources:

• "1996 Colorado Rockies Statistics" by Baseball-Reference.

• "1996 NLDS - Atlanta Braves over Colorado Rockies" by Baseball-Reference.

After their first playoff appearance in 1996, the Colorado Rockies experienced a series of ups and downs in the following years. They went through ownership changes, struggled on the field, and saw the departure of some key players. However, they also had some exciting moments, including a run to the World Series in 2007. 

After the 1992 expansion, the Rockies were owned by a group led by Jerry McMorris. In 2005, McMorris sold the team to a group led by Charlie Monfort and his brother Dick. Under Monforts' ownership, the team has made significant investments in the ballpark and the team's facilities and increased the team's payroll. 

The Rockies struggled in the years after their 1996 playoff appearance. They had only two winning seasons between 1998 and 2006, and they finished last in the National League West five times during that span. The team's pitching could have been much better, as they played in a hitter-friendly ballpark and struggled to find consistent starters. 

In 1997, the Rockies drafted first baseman Todd Helton out of the University of Tennessee. Helton made his Major League debut in 1997 and quickly became one of the team's best players. He spent his 17-year career with the Rockies, setting numerous franchise records. Helton was a five-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and won the National League batting title in 2000 and 2003. 

In 2007, the Rockies made an improbable run to the World Series. They won 21 of their final 22 games to clinch a playoff berth and then swept the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League playoffs. However, the Boston Red Sox swept them in the World Series. Despite the disappointing end to the season, the Rockies had established themselves as a team to be reckoned with in the National League. 

In recent years, the Rockies have remained competitive but have struggled to make it back to the playoffs. In 2018, they made it to the Wild Card Game but lost to the Milwaukee Brewers. The team has seen the departure of several key players, including Nolan Arenado, who was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. However, the team has also seen young stars like Trevor Story and Ryan McMahon emerge, giving fans hope for the future.

Despite the team's struggles, the Rockies have become essential to the Denver sports landscape. Coors Field is one of the most famous ballparks in the league, and the team has a passionate fan base that supports them through thick and thin.

Sources:

• "Colorado Rockies Team History & Encyclopedia" by Baseball-Reference.

• "Colorado Rockies Timeline" by MLB.com.

The 2010s and beyond have been a transition period for the Colorado Rockies. The team has seen the departure of several key players, including Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, and has struggled to make the playoffs consistently. However, they have also seen the emergence of young talent and the arrival of new leadership, giving fans hope for the future. 

In 2011, the Rockies hired Dan O'Dowd as their general manager. O'Dowd had previously worked for the Cleveland Indians, where he had helped build a successful team on a limited budget. He brought that same approach to the Rockies, emphasizing player development and making from within. In 2014, O'Dowd was replaced by Jeff Bridich, who has continued that approach. 

In 2013, the Rockies called up third baseman Nolan Arenado from the minor leagues. Arenado quickly became one of the team's best players, earning a Gold Glove in his rookie season and winning the award again in the next six seasons. He was also a four-time All-Star and vital to the Rockies' offense. 

In 2018, the Rockies made it to the Wild Card Game for the second time in franchise history. They faced the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in a winner-takes-all game. The game was a pitcher's duel, with the score tied 1-1 in the 13th inning. In the top of the inning, the Rockies scored two runs, and closer Scott Oberg shut down the Cubs in the bottom of the inning to secure the win. 

The Rockies have struggled to make it back to the playoffs recently. They finished last in the National League West in 2019 and 2020, and in 2021 they traded away star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. However, the team has also seen the emergence of young talents like shortstop Trevor Story and outfielder Raimel Tapia, giving fans hope for the future.

The Rockies have also made significant changes off the field. In 2021, they hired Bill Schmidt as their interim general manager, replacing Jeff Bridich. Schmidt has emphasized communication and transparency with the team's players and staff and has expressed a long-term commitment to building a winning team.

Despite the team's struggles in recent years, the Rockies remain essential to the Denver sports landscape. Coors Field is one of the most famous ballparks in the league, and the team has a passionate fan base that supports them through thick and thin.

Sources:

• "Colorado Rockies Team History & Encyclopedia" by Baseball-Reference.

• "Rockies GM Bill Schmidt focuses on communication, transparency as he begins long-term vision for franchise" by Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post.

Despite the team's ups and downs, the Rockies remain essential to the Denver sports community. Coors Field is one of the most famous ballparks in the league, and the team has a passionate fan base that supports them through thick and thin. The Rockies may not always be the most successful team on the field, but they have become essential to the city's culture and identity.

Sources:

• "Colorado Rockies Team History & Encyclopedia" by Baseball-Reference.

• "Colorado Rockies Timeline" by MLB.com.