Saturday, 11 March 2017

Spring Training Team Profile: Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies


Established: 1993
Other Names:
None

2016 results: 75-87, 3rd in NL West

2017 Prediction: 4th

World Series Titles: 0
Most Recent: N/A
Last World Series Appearance: 2007
Last Division Title: None

Ballpark: Coors Field
Est: 1995

Best Season: 2007


                The 2007 Colorado Rockies finished the scheduled regular season with a 89-73 record, tied with the San Diego Padres for the only NL Wild Card spot. In a precursor to what we have now with two wild card teams, the Rockies and Padres staged a one-game playoff to see who would get the right to advance to the postseason. The game was played at Coors Field in Denver and was arguably the most exciting one-game playoff game ever played. The two teams were tied at six after 12 innings and the Padres pushed across two runs in the top of the 13th inning. But the Rockies rallied for three in their half of the inning, the winning run being scored on a sacrifice fly, with the Padres disputing the call at the plate. Replays were inconclusive (although there was no reversal of calls due to replay back then) and the Rockies advanced to the NLDS to play the Phillies. The Rockies swept Philadelphia and then swept the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS to advance to their first World Series in franchise history. Unfortunately, the magic faded pretty fast as Colorado went down to the Red Sox in four straight games.

Best All-time Player: Todd Helton


                Todd Helton did something rare during his playing days, and that was remaining with one team throughout his entire career. He played 17 seasons with the Rockies and put up some impressive numbers along the way. He collected 2519 hits in 2247 games, producing a career batting average of .316, 369 home runs and 1406 stolen bases. Even though he hit over .300 12 times, he only won the batting title once (.372 in 2000). He was a five-time All-Star, won four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Gloves.

Best Player on the Current Roster: Nolan Arenado


                Impressive numbers while with the Rockies will always be met with a “Yeah, but…” response due to the high altitude of Denver which makes the ball travel farther. However, when compared with his teammates, Arenado is the best player on the team. He has led the National League in home runs and RBIs for two consecutive seasons. He’s won a Gold Glove all four years he’s been in the league and has added two Silver Slugger Awards. In 561 career games, the two-time All-Star has posted a batting average of .285 while hitting 111 homers and adding 376 RBIs. His strike outs aren’t terrible for a slugger (223 in the last two years) and his batting average suggests he’s more than just a power threat.

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