9 must-see Rockies artifacts on display at Hall of Fame

February 8th, 2022

The Colorado Rockies could fill a mile-high trophy case with relics and reminders of their accomplishments.

Sure, playing home games at Coors Field in the mile-high city of Denver boosts the Rockies’ offensive production and accelerates a player’s march toward milestones. But time, as well as home/road splits, prove that the best Rockies have earned their handsome statistics, no matter where they perform.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection of more than 40,000 three-dimensional pieces contains artifacts that tell the story of the game’s legendary players, moments and triumphs. Whether you’ve visited before or you’ve always wanted to check it out, there’s always a great reason to plan a visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum -- the spiritual home of America’s Pastime in beautiful Cooperstown, N.Y.

1. More stars for an All-Star
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: Taking part in Major League Baseball’s increasingly popular themed-sock phenomenon, center fielder wore this star-spangled pair on July 4, 2017 -- in the middle of the four-time All-Star’s best season. He finished the year with big league highs in hits (213), runs (137) and triples (14).

2. Last piece of lumber
Where:
Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: Approaching the end of a distinguished 17-year career, used this bat to hit his 369th and final home run on Sept. 25, 2013 at Coors Field. Helton retired as the Rockies’ all-time leader in homers, runs (1,401) and RBIs (1,406).

3. Flip your lid over Ubaldo
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: 's career peaked in 2010, when he made the National League All-Star team and finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting. Against the Atlanta Braves on April 17, he wore this cap while recording the first no-hitter in Rockies history. The 6-foot-5 right-hander threw 128 pitches and struck out seven in Colorado’s 4-0 victory.

4. Give this grand old man a big hand
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: wore this glove on April 17, 2012, when he became the oldest pitcher in Major League history to win a game. The left-hander was 49 years and 151 days old when he lasted seven innings in a 5-3 decision over San Diego. Moyer retired after that season, ending a 25-year big league career.

5. Hats off to the quintessential beat writer
Where: Scribes and Mikemen exhibit
Fun facts: After launching his career as a baseball beat writer in 1976, Tracy Ringolsby covered several teams before migrating to Colorado to chronicle the Rockies’ inaugural season for the Rocky Mountain News. Ringolsby donated his trademark cowboy hat to the Hall of Fame after being named the J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner for meritorious contributions to baseball writing in 2005.

6. Every jersey tells a Story
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: wore this jersey in 2018, when he became the Major Leagues’ first shortstop to collect at least 40 doubles, 30 homers and 25 stolen bases. Predictably, he won the NL Silver Slugger award for offensive performance at his position.

7. Instant inning-ender
Where: Whole New Ballgame exhibit
Fun facts: gave away his cap after his deeds of April 29, 2007, but he obviously kept his head. On that date, Tulowitzki became the 14th big leaguer to record an unassisted triple play. After Kelly Johnson and Edgar Renteria singled off Zach McClellan to open the seventh inning, Chipper Jones lined out to Tulowitzki, who stepped on second base to double off Johnson and then tagged out Renteria.

8. Running keeps you Young
Where: One for the Books exhibit
Fun facts: made these pants appear as if they were fitted for jet propulsion on June 30, 1996, when he stole six bases in a wild 16-15 win over the Dodgers. Young, who led the National League with 53 thefts that year, stole second base four times -- including during the third inning, when he also stole third base and home.

9. Warm welcome
Where: Whole New Ballgame exhibit
Fun facts: This decorative pennant dates back to 1993, the Rockies’ inaugural season in Colorado. An expansion franchise, the Rockies were wildly successful at the gate, establishing a Major League attendance record by drawing nearly 4.5 million to Mile High Stadium.