colorado rockies history
colorado rockies history
In Major League Baseball, the Rocky Mountain High that John Denver sings of means home runs. Lots of them. In the short history of professional baseball in Denver, hitters have quickly grown to love the thin air of Coors Field while pitchers know that a trip to the ballpark in the mountains means an almost certain boost to their earned run average. This high propensity of home run hitting makes the ballpark one of the most exciting stadiums in baseball for fans, regardless of team allegiance. However, starting pitcher Jason Jennings did not share the enthusiasm last year, and he hopes that 2006 will offer him and the rest of the starting rotation more success. While last year’s losing record and last place finish in the National League West Division was difficult for the team, Colorado Rockies tickets have remained some of the hottest seats in baseball.
When MLB expanded in 1993, fans flocked to see the Rockies play at Mile High Stadium, their temporary home for their first two years of existence. After the construction of Coors Field was completed in 1995, the Rockies moved into their new home and promptly earned a Wild Card berth into the postseason. With the experience of veteran infielders Vinny Castilla and Andres Galarraga, the Rockies combined to form one of the most potent offensive attacks in the National League. However, the team was unable to compare with the National League powerhouse Atlanta Braves, whose superior pitching shut the team down in their only postseason series to date.
Despite managing only three winning seasons in thirteen years, the Rockies maintained the highest attendance from 1993 to 1999. Veterans Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks continued to produce some of the team’s offensive firepower, but the Rockies struggled to find a starting rotation that could manage the home run haven. As the millennium approached, the Rockies’ general management realized that the team would not emerge as a leader in the West Division without pitching. Despite signing Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, the franchise still faced difficulties. Neither of the All-Star pitchers enjoyed a great deal of success, and both left Colorado.
As Opening Day of 2006 approaches, fans in Colorado hope that newly acquired Sunny Kim and Byung-Hyun Kim can alter the typical fate for pitchers in Denver, and veteran Jose Mesa will work to revitalize the team’s bullpen. In addition to these pitchers, the Rockies have a wealth of young talent to begin building a successful baseball tradition in Colorado. However, the first step is guiding a group of inexperienced players through the challenges of a 162-game season. Veteran Todd Helton appears to be the key to this success. As one of the few veterans on the squad, Helton will lead sophomore outfielders Cory Sullivan and Brad Hawpe and shortstop Clint Barmes. Manager Clint Hurdle has been with the team since 2002 and hopes that the franchise’s array of young talent can establish themselves among the elite of the National League. Fans anxiously await another year of home runs, and Colorado Rockies tickets will undoubtedly gain entrance to some of the most exciting competitions in baseball.
