Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are among Major League Baseball’s youngest teams. Founded in 1993, they are still waiting for their first World Series win. They won the 2007 pennant and have been entered the play-offs in the Wild Card spot three times. The team is named for the Rocky Mountains. This is a fitting title, since they play in Denver - the “Mile High City.” Seats in Coors Field are purple in the 20th row of the upper deck, noting the 5280-foot elevation mark. The Rockies team colors are black, purple, silver, and white. These colors feature prominently in the Colorado Rockies jerseys. The main home jersey is white with purple pinstripes. Across the chest, “Rockies” is printed in block font in black with silver trim. In 1994, the players’ names were added to the back of the jersey, and in 2000, the players’ numbers were added to the front left of the jersey. The matching cap is black with the letters “CR” on the front, embroidered in purple with silver trim. The road jersey is gray and originally had “Rockies” printed across the chest. In 1994, the players’ names were added to the back. In 2000, purple pinstripes were added, the players’ numbers were added to the front left, and the word “Rockies” was changed to “Colorado.” They use the same black hat for away games. The Colorado Rockies also use three alternate uniforms on occasion. The first alternate jersey takes the usual home uniform, adds black sleeves, moves the number to the right side of the chest, and replaces “Rockies” with “CR” on the left chest.” Its hat has a purple brim. The second alternate uniform takes the standard road jersey and changes the shirt to purple, no pinstripes. This uniform has a purple cap. The last alternate jersey changes the away shirt to a black shirt with white trim. Its matching cap is black with a purple brim. Because there is significant archaeological work done near Denver, the Rockies mascot is a purple triceratops dinosaur called “Dinger.” The name “Dinger” also refers to a home run, and since Colorado’s elevation seems to favor home run hitters, fans can enjoy plenty of long balls. In 1995, a group of four Rockies hitters were nicknamed the “Blake Street Bombers.” Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla, Dante Bichette, and Andres Gallaraga joined forces to hit 139 home runs that year. After Gallaraga was traded in 1997, Todd Helton emerged as a team leader. The team’s roster changed drastically in 2004. Heavy hitters Castilla and Jeromy Burnitz left as free agents, while several Triple-A players were promoted. This rebuilding paid off when the Rockies appeared in the 2007 World Series, helped by great plays from Matt Holliday and Kazuo Matsui.