Colorado Rockies
Coors Field
Colorado, United States
The Colorado Rockies were made for fans to adore. Founded in 1993, the team started its Major League Baseball journey as an expansion team in the National League West division. Being a rookie team with no prior legacy was nerve-wracking. Still, the Rockies set an all-time Major League attendance record, drawing over 4.4 million fans to Mile High Stadium for their inaugural season. This overwhelming support continued, leading to the opening of Coors Field in 1995, a ballpark designed to accommodate over 50,000 spectators.
Denver's rich history with minor league baseball and its strong fan base paved the way for the city's inclusion in Major League Baseball, making the Colorado Rockies a beloved team from the start. Although the Rockies have yet to win a World Series title, in their first two seasons, the team attracted over 7.7 million fans with numerous games exceeding 60,000 attendees, showcasing the city's enthusiasm for baseball.
The team's most notable achievement came in 2007 when they embarked on an extraordinary late-season run, winning 14 of their final 15 regular-season games. Matt Holliday played a crucial role in this run, solidifying his place in Rockies history. The Rockies also have Todd Helton - a franchise icon as he spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockies, earning five All-Star selections and four Silver Slugger Awards. In 2024, the team celebrated "Todd Helton Day" to honor his contributions and impending Hall of Fame induction. Also, Larry Walker, an outfielder known for his powerful bat and defensive prowess, won the National League MVP award in 1997 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
After Coors Field was built, it featured a retractable roof over a natural grass playing surface. The ballpark location offers panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the stadium's design reflects Colorado's natural beauty, incorporating native vegetation and a unique "Rockpile" seating area in the center field. The ballpark is renowned for its hitter-friendly environment, attributed to Denver's high altitude. This was evident in 1995 when Rockies players Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Andrés Galarraga, and Larry Walker each hit 30 home runs, earning them the nickname 'Blake Street Bombers.'
The Rockies have had intense matchups with the Arizona Diamondbacks ever since both teams entered the league in the 1990s, fostering a competitive rivalry for supremacy in the National League West. They also have frequent divisional battles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including memorable moments such as Hideo Nomo's no-hitter at Coors Field in 1996. St. Louis Cardinals are also a formidable opponent for the Rockies, with players like Paul Goldschmidt historically performing well against the Rockies.