The Colorado Rockies haven’t been a normal expansion team since joining major league baseball in 1993. They’ve always made the NL West a competitive division with a franchise winning percentage of .474. In 1995, the Rockies made the playoffs for their first and only time, and lost in the NLDS. Last season, the Rockies finished at a respectable 74-88 but they finished fourth in the division and 26.5 games out of first place.
The Rockies let go of a few key players like pitcher Scott Elarton, and outfielder Jay Payton. To make up for losing Payton’s bat management went out and got slugging third baseman Vinny Castilla and also brought in shortstop Royce Clayton. They traded for Tampa Bay Devil Ray left handed pitcher Joe Kennedy and sent Mark Hendrickson to the Rays.
As has been since the first season, the Rockies strengths are in their bats. At the one and two spots are second baseman Luis A. Gonzalez and Clayton. In the heart of the line up is all star first baseman Todd Helton, Castilla and Jeromy Burnitz. Finishing out the order are left fielder Matt Holiday, catcher Charles Johnson and right fielder Brad Hawpe. Last season the staff had the worst ERA in the NL at 5.20 and is looking to improve. The starters consist of Shawn Estes, Joe Kennedy, Jason Jennings, and Elarton. In the pen Shawn Chacon is the guy trying to put an end to the madness in the ninth.
Coors Field is one of the few stadiums in the majors that has an amazing effect on the game. Due to the high altitude of this open air stadium the ball is launched off the bat into the stands prompting some to give it the nickname of “Coors Canaveral.” In addition to being able to see a ball game fans get a breath taking view of the Rocky Mountains.
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