Christmas is a time of giving and for the Colorado Rockies they were generous enough to provide some of the best on-field contributors at 20th and Blake.
From the uncertainty while awaiting selection as the 27th MLB franchise and dealing with others’ skepticism associated with playing at altitude, the Rockies have endured in becoming a successful organization, winning and retaining fans, achieving post-season playoff success, and arguably equally important, revitalizing Denver for economic growth and building stronger community.
The Rockies’ past would not have an opportunity to meet the present had the franchise been awarded to the city of Tampa rather than Denver. After the initial prospective Rockies ownership group from Ohio was found to have committed fraud, had it not been for local Colorado businessmen stepping up in August 1992, Tampa would have prevailed as the next MLB franchise. Coupled with general doubt regarding Denver being a good location, the odds were against the Rockies fielding a MLB team. Jerry McMorris stepped up to assume responsibility to build the Rockies’ franchise.
Many players stormed through the clubhouse, but there are 12 who are arguably the biggest on-field contributors since franchise’s inception. We will start with no. 12 and work our way to no. 1.
No. 12 – Ubaldo Jimenez: Number 12 brings a familiar starting pitcher not in the Rockies rotation or the team. Ubaldo Jimenez and the youth movement in 2007 was responsible for making it to the playoffs, but his first half of the season in 2010 is near the best in history of baseball. Jimenez’s stretch matched that of Bob Gibson. He also threw the team’s first no-hitter. Helping the team to a World Series in 2007 also is why he is a number 12 in best roster move of all-time.
No. 11 – DJ LeMahieu: Ranking at number 11 in best roster move is DJ LeMahieu. Dan O’Dowd caught a lot of heat for not making near moves to help the franchise. However, come 2012 season talented third basemen was sent to the Chicago Cubs for LeMahieu and Tyler Colvin. LeMahieu recently won the batting title in 2016 and tallied his first Gold Glove in time with the Rockies. In a few years, LeMahieu could likely be ranked higher on the list.
No. 10 – Andres Galarraga: Andres “Big Cat” Galarraga ranks at number ten in the list of best roster moves. Galarraga had his only batting title with the Rockies in 1993. Although he never won a gold glove in his five-years with Colorado, his reflexes at first earned him the nickname of Big Cat at first base. Galarraga’s infectious smile appealed to everyone.
No. 9 – Don Baylor: Don Baylor started as the Rockies’ first manager and took the franchise to their first ever playoff appearance in 1995. It was also their first season in the beautiful Coors Field. Baylor managed the Blake Street Bombers with a team not afraid to end an outing for a pitcher. Rockies also won a game against the Atlanta Braves in 1995 in the NLDS.
No. 8 – Clint Hurdle: Clint Hurdle is responsible for taking the Rockies to their first ever World Series in team history. Not only that, but Hurdle managed arguably the best streak in sports history. The hiring of Hurdle started in 2002 replacing Buddy Bell and saw its fair share of struggles. However, riding a 21/22 winning streak to the World Series is enough to place the hiring of Hurdle in the top 12 moves.
No. 7 – Matt Holliday: Holliday is a career .300 hitter with the Rockies and is grateful for his time in Colorado. He and other players were responsible in helping the franchise reach their first ever World Series. In 2007 his peers voted him as the best player in baseball. The reasoning to rank Holliday is due to a World Series appearance and won an NLCS MVP in 2007.
No. 6 – Dante Bichette: It is hard to ignore one of the Blake Street Bombers for the Colorado Rockies. One of the biggest swingers for the Rockies is Dante Bichette. Not only was Bichette a home run hitter, but a fabulous hitter in Coors Field. The four-time All-Star had nearly 1,300 hits all during his time in Colorado. His worst hitting year with the Rockies was a .298 batting average racking up 201 home runs in seven seasons.
No. 5 – Carlos Gonzalez: The Rockies acquired Carlos Gonzalez before the 2009 season started. His breakout season was the year after in 2010, which placed him third in the Most Valuable Player voting behind Cincinnati Reds’ first basemen Joey Votto. Much like Galarraga, Gonzalez’s smile and clubhouse presence is irreplaceable. Even in his lone playoff appearance, Gonzalez batted .588 in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed “Little Pony” Gonzalez is a better defender than Bichette totaling three Gold Gloves. Bichette did not get one. Next player to potentially be a Rockie for life is Carlos Gonzalez.
No. 4 – Nolan Arendao: At number four is a player that will continue to rise up the ranks as a defender and hitter in the game of baseball. Nolan Arenado may be the National League version of Mike Trout. Already in his young career Arenado has won four straight gold gloves, the first player ever to do so. Another reason he will rise quickly in the ranks is due to him flirting with a Triple Crown the past two years.
No. 3 – Troy Tulowitzki: Despite a injury plagued career, Troy Tulowitzki is a guaranteed top-five player in Rockies’ history. Tulowitzki for at least three or four years was considered the best at his position. He also had an instrumental 2007 season to lead the team to the World Series placing him second behind Ryan Braun in the Rookie of the Year voting. Once Helton retired, there were legitimate conversations as to who will be the next “Rockie for life.” Also, not many players have their own unique chant in a stadium. The fan base accepted Tulowitzki giving the “Tulo Chant” every time he was at the plate. We wish him continued success in Toronto.
No. 2 – Larry Walker: Larry Walker was one of the better defensive right fielders in the game. A “five tool” player like Carlos Gonzalez, Walker is a seven-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, all with Colorado. Walker won an MVP award in 1997 by a landslide. 92% of the vote said Walker was the unanimous Most Valuable Player. In my opinion, Walker should be the next Rockies’ player to have his number retired and viewed in center field.
No. 1 – Todd Helton: There is no debate at 20th and Blake. First basemen Todd Helton is the best player the Rockies have had to don the purple pinstripes. Rockies were blessed to go from Galarraga to Helton in a span of 20 years. Helton never got credit for the defense at first base. Meaning Helton should have been awarded at least two more Gold Gloves. If there is one player that has a better chance to make the Hall of Fame than any player on the Rockies, it is Helton. Helton was a doubles machine in his career with the team nearing 600 for his career. Much like Derek Jeter, Helton spent his entire time with one franchise, which is never a sure thing in sports.
