Best of DNVR Rockies 2021: The Year of Larry Walker, 2021 All-Star Game, Exclusive Interviews and those home/road splits

After 2020 was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the 2022 season in jeopardy of starting on time due to the lockout, the Colorado Rockies baseball brought back some normalcy to the Front Range in 2021 and provided a service in which should all be somewhat thankful.

Sure, that service meant coupling the ups with the downs, winning some and losing a few more.

But the collective fan experience came back to Coors Field this year and helped us forget reality for nine innings at a time.

Here are our favorite highlights from DNVR Rockies in 2021…

Exclusive Rockies Interviews

DNVR Exclusive: Bud Black’s unique batting lineups offer insight on something much larger for Rockies

Bud Black required some interesting lineups this season such a batting a first baseman leadoff and filling the cleanup spot with a second baseman and catcher. Details of the rarities ensue.

DNVR Exclusive: Stephenson makes impressive transition to Coors Field confines, ready to take next step

The term “future closer” gets thrown around a lot, but the 28-year-old reliever acquired from the Cincinnati Reds showed, and explained how, he gets the job done at altitude.

DNVR Exclusive: Welker debuts amid strange season, potential to become part of 2022 Rockies

Following a successful season at Double-A Hartford in 2019, Colton Welker should have been with the Rockies a lot sooner than September of 2021. To hear him tell it, 2022 will really be the year to watch.

DNVR Exclusive: How Nolan Arenado’s moment was experienced on-air by voices of the Colorado Rockies

It was a standing ovation unlike anything we’ve seen in a while and four of Colorado’s finest broadcasters – Jack Corrigan, Jenny Cavnar, Mike Rice and Drew Goodman – shared their experiences with the moment.

In-Season Coverage

Rockies come out swinging on Opening Day to defeat Dodgers, 8-5

Remember Raimel Tapia nearly robbing a Cody Bellinger home run? And then failing? But then Bellinger only got a single? The entire opening weekend was wild, but Opening Day and the first game at 20th & Blake in 550 days was a special one.

Brushing up against history has made for interesting, frustrating moments for Rockies

The crazy home-road splits were not even a month old at this point and it was already becoming a very puzzling story.

Rockies’ youngsters make history on consecutive days; who’s next to join the group?

Alan Trejo, Connor Joe, Yonathan Daza and Brendan Rodgers all slugged the first home run of their career in 2021. Most, if not all, will be back in 2022.

What history can teach us about the Rockies trade deadline plans for Story and Gray

Hate to say we told you so, but the writing was on the wall. You just have to take the time to read it sometimes.

Trade Deadline offers intrigue for Rockies; future of franchise potentially at stake

If you skip this one, we won’t be upset. Its hard to consider what-could-have-been.

MLB Trade Deadline: Rockies trade Givens for a pair of young pitchers; more to come?

No, there wasn’t more to come, but GM Bill Schmidt did well to bring back Colorado native RHP Case Williams in this swap with the Reds.

Coors Field exudes excitement during the final month of 2021; records set to fall

With a month left to play, the joy in Mudville was long gone. But a few interesting stories and records were hanging in the balance throughout September.

Love For Larry Walker

DNVR Exclusive: Larry Walker’s enshrinement in Baseball Hall of Fame a celebration for all Rockies fans

It’s not often the President of the Baseball Hall of Fame gets to speak about a player for the Colorado Rockies. On this occasion, he went into great detail on Walker’s rightful place in Cooperstown.

DNVR Exclusive: Rockies set to retire Walker’s no.33, Blackmon excited for Hall of Famer

Charlie Blackmon gushed about Walker and the importance of having the Rockies represented in the Hall of Fame. (Plus, we got his live reaction when pointing out the retired no. 33 plaque hidden by a black cloth on the second deck at Coors Field.)

Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes Larry Walker and Colorado Rockies among the greats

It took 10 years on the ballot and an extra year due to the pandemic, but the baseball world was talking about Colorado as Walker gained enshrinement to the Hall of Fame.

2021 All-Star Game

Significance of 2021 All-Star Game means so much for Front Range fans

One day you went to bed thinking the Field of Dreams was something that happened in a movie – or once in Colorado back in 1998 – and the next day your dream was coming true.

DNVR Exclusive: Story to become 12th Rockies’ slugger to enter Home Run Derby

Trevor Story shares his insight on the advantages to participating in the Derby at his home ballpark as well as an indelible mark left on him from watching the contest as a child in Irving, TX.

Márquez named to NL All-Star Team; joins rare group of Rockies pitchers to receive the honor

On May 14, Germán Márquez had a 5.56 ERA through his first nine starts and yet there was always a chance he could rebound to represent Colorado. There was even some speculation that he was in the conversation to be the starting pitcher for the National League.

DNVR Exclusive: Home Run Derby brackets and rules revealed, plus Vinny Castilla discusses greatest Coors Field homers

Castilla offers his picks to win the Home Run Derby and shares the details of the longest homer he’s ever witnessed at Coors Field.

All-Star Game Notepad: Bichette on greatness of Guerrero Jr. and breaks down lineage

Bo Bichette gushes over Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shares memories of his father Dante’s time with the Rockies.

Mets’ Pete Alonso win Home Run Derby, successfully defends title in instant classic

While not quite a 10,000 word article on the majesty that was the 2021 Home Run Derby – it would require even more than that – this summary of results will have you running to YouTube to relive the memories. (And no, you can’t find it on MLB.com right now.)

DNVR Exclusive: Similarities abound between 1998 and 2021; Rockies All-Stars reflect on experience

Black, Story and Márquez discuss the spectacle of Denver hosting such an event and its impact on their career so far.