Rockies Timeline

1985

August 8 - Baseball's new Basic Agreement permits the National League to expand by two teams.

1987

October 31 - U.S. Senators from eight states, including Colorado Sen. Tim Wirth, announce they have formed a congressional task force to investigate baseball expansion.

1989

June 15 - Baseball says it will announce a timetable for NL expansion within 90 days after the completion of a new Basic Agreement.

1990

August 14 - Denver area voters pass a 0.1 percent sales tax to finance construction of a new baseball stadium, if MLB awards a franchise.

August 23 - Colorado's Baseball Advisory Committee, headed by Gov. Roy Romer, designates the Colorado Baseball Partnership to spearhead the formation of an ownership group.

September 18 - The NL Expansion Committee hears Denver's presentation. December 18 - The NL unveils its short list of six potential expansion sites: Buffalo, Denver, Orlando, South Florida, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Washington, D.C.

1991

January 25 - Denver's baseball ownership group launches a season ticket drive, requesting a refundable deposit of $50 per seat.

March 13 - Envisioning a traditional ballpark, the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District formally chooses its site: 20th and Blake streets.

March 15 - Colorado Baseball Partnership announces that the proposed baseball park will be named Coors Field.

March 26 - The NL Expansion Committee visits Denver.

June 6 - Commissioner Fay Vincent announces that both leagues will share revenues generated by the $190 million expansion fee, and that both circuits will contribute players to the expansion draft.

June 10 - Vincent announces Denver and South Florida are the NL Expansion Committee's selections.

June 28 - The two leagues and the Major League Baseball Players Association compromise: AL teams will protect extra players in each draft round. Only eight AL teams will have to give up three players; the other six will give up players only in the first two rounds. With the agreement, a final expansion vote is scheduled for July 5.

July 5 - Major League owners unanimously approve Denver and South Florida as baseball's two newest franchises. Colorado Baseball Partnership announces that the team will be called the Colorado Rockies and unveils the team logo.

September - Bob Gebhard takes his post as the first general manager.

1992

February 14 - KOA Radio (850 AM) signs a five-year agreement to become the team's flagship station.

March 2 - Ownership chooses Tucson, Ariz., as the Rockies spring training home. The agreement between the Rockies and the Pima County Sports Authority calls for the club to play its spring training games at Hi Corbett Field, the former Cactus League home of the Cleveland Indians.

March 19 - The club announces its 1993 ticket prices, seating locations, and season-ticket packages. The Colorado Rockies Foundation commits to providing at least 150,000 tickets in '93 to the less fortunate.

April 16 - KWGN-TV (Channel 2) in Denver signs a five-year agreement to become the Rockies' exclusive over-the-air television broadcaster.

June 1 - John Burke, a pitcher from the University of Florida and a native of Englewood, Colo., is selected by the Rockies in the first round of the MLB June Draft, the club's first-ever draft selection. The 6-4, 220-pound righthander, the 27th player selected overall in the draft, signs a contract with the Rockies.

June 6 - The Rockies conduct a tryout camp at the University of Denver baseball field.

June 16 - Bend, Ore., hosts the first game in organization history, a Single-A Northwest League contest between the Bend Rockies and Boise Hawks. With the Rockies trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, catcher Will Scalzitti hits a grand slam to give his club a dramatic 6-4 win.

July 4 - The Rockies unveil their traditional 1993 uniforms (home, away, and Sunday alternate) at a Team USA-Team Cuba baseball game at Mile High Stadium before 61,165 fans. Included on the home uniform is purple pinstripes, making the Rockies the first team in Major League history to feature purple stripes. The club's road uniform is gray and the alternate is black. Also, the team improves its logo.

September 2 - Jerry McMorris, Oren Benton and Charles Monfort acquire all of the interests previously owned by non-Coloradoans. The local trio assumes control of the team. October 16 - Club officials, civic leaders and other dignitaries break ground on the future site of Coors Field.

October 27 - The Rockies name Don Baylor their first manager.

November 9 - The Colorado Baseball Partnership completes its acquisition of the franchise by paying the $95 million franchise fee. Shortly thereafter, the Rockies acquire pitcher Travis Buckley from the Montreal Expos in exchange for a player-to-be-named (Matt Connolly) in the club's first trade.

November 16 - The club signs free-agent first baseman Andres Galarraga.

November 17 - The Rockies select David Nied from the Atlanta Braves to open the MLB Expansion Draft in New York City. At the same time, more than 20,000 fans fill Denver's Currigan Hall to watch the historic event. After the draft, Colorado trades Kevin Reimer and Jody Reed for Dante Bichette and Rudy Seanez, respectively.

1993

January 26 - The Rockies restructure their front office. Jerry McMorris becomes chairman, president and CEO; Oren Benton and Charles Monfort become vice chairmen.

February 18 - Pitchers and catchers report to Tucson, Ariz., for the club's inaugural spring training. Position players report five days later.

March 6 - The Rockies win their first spring training game, 7-2, over San Francisco. David Nied starts and pitches out of a jam in the first by striking out Barry Bonds.

April 5 - The club plays its first regular-season game, against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Dwight Gooden tosses a three-hit shutout.

April 9 - The Rocky Mountain region welcomes big-league baseball, as the Rockies host Montreal at Mile High Stadium. Eric Young homers to lead off the bottom of the first, bringing the record-setting crowd of 80,227 to its feet. Colorado wins 11-4, behind 37-year-old Bryn Smith, who blanks the Expos over seven innings.

May 9 - The team recognizes Lydia McKee as the one millionth fan through the gates at Mile High Stadium. Ironically, the mother of two is recognized on Mother's Day. The Rockies reach the million mark in just 17 home dates, breaking the previous best of 21 set by the '92 Toronto Blue Jays.

May 14 - Jay Gainer becomes the 12th player in history to homer on his first Major League pitch.

June 20 - After eclipsing the million mark on Mother's Day, the Rockies crack 2 million on Father's Day, the 36th home date. Colorado reaches the mark faster than any team in history, breaking the '92 Blue Jays mark of 41 dates.

July 28 - The Rockies surpass the 3 million plateau in their 53rd home date. Once again, the club is the fastest to reach the milestone, breaking the previous mark of 61 set by Toronto in 1992.

September 17 - On their 71st home date, the Rockies surpass the 4 million mark, breaking the single-season attendance record.

September 26 - The inaugural attendance is final: 4,483,350.

October 3 - The Rockies conclude their inaugural season with the most wins by an NL expansion club. Andres Galarraga wins the batting title, the first won by an expansion player and Venezuelan native.

November 2 - The club and the Denver Metropolitan Stadium District agree to expand Coors Field to approximately 50,200.

December 1 - Free-agent outfielder Ellis Burks agrees to a three-year deal.

December 6 - The Rockies re-sign first baseman Andres Galarraga to a four-year contract.

1994

January 7 - Free-agent shortstop Walt Weiss agrees to a two-year deal and becomes the first player to appear on the roster of both expansion teams. He played for Florida in '93.

January 13 - Responding to fan requests, the club alters its uniforms. Names are placed on the backs of the home jerseys, while the road uniform's lettering is changed from silver to purple.

February 25 - The Rockies announce that they will exercise the '95 option on manager Don Baylor's contract.

June 26 - The Rockies claim one of the few Major League attendance records not yet in their possession, drawing 217,009 fans to a three-game series vs. the Giants.

July 17 - Colorado tops one of its own attendance records, drawing 259,113 to a four-game series against St. Louis.

August 7 - Again, the Rockies eclipse one of their own attendance marks, opening turnstiles for their 3 millionth fan in just the 52nd home date; 1993 saw Colorado crack 3 million in 53 dates.

September 30 - The Colorado Rockies, the City of Denver and Feed the Children announce an innovative literacy program called "Hitting Home." The program, which will run through the end of the 1995-96 school year, will distribute two books to 2,300 students.

October 31 - Colorado promotes Dick Balderson to vice president/player personnel and Tony Siegle is hired to replace Walt Jocketty as assistant general manager.

November 2 - The Rockies announce they will be a major sponsor of the 1995 National Beep Ball Association World Series, which will come to Denver in August 1995.

November 24 - Six thousand pounds of food and more than $700, collected at the Rockies Wives Food Drive held in April, is distributed on Thanksgiving Day through COMPA Food Ministries.

1995

January 20 - The club presents a check for $22,366 to the Boys and Girls Club of Denver to promote the development of inner-city youth baseball programs.

February 3 - The Rockies, along with the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, donate $12,000 to the Pueblo County Director of Organizational Development in order to provide equipment, uniforms and scholarships for Pueblo youth baseball.

April 8 - The Rockies sign free agents Larry Walker and Bill Swift to multiyear contracts.

April 24 - Following the Oklahoma City bombing, the Rockies make a $32,000 donation to the Red Cross Relief Fund. Initiated by the players and coaching staff, club management joined in the cause.

April 26 - The Rockies inaugurate Coors Field in dramatic fashion. Dante Bichette hits a game-winning three-run homer to beat New York in the 14th inning.

April 29 - The Rockies defeat the Houston Astros, 2-1, in Houston and claim sole possession of first for the first time in club history.

June 13 - Fans flow into Coors Field for the park's first of 203 consecutive sellouts.

June 16 - The Big Cat dedicates "Andres Galarraga Field" to the Boys and Girls Club of Denver. Galarraga, along with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, donates $48,000 for the field.

June 25 - Galarraga ties a Major League record by hitting a home run in three consecutive innings, becoming the fourth player in history to accomplish the feat.

June 26 - National League President Leonard Coleman announces that Coors Field has been selected to host the 1998 All-Star Game.

July 7 - National League manager Felipe Alou selects both Dante Bichette and Vinny Castilla to the All-Star squad, marking the first time the Rockies placed more than one representative in the contest. Castilla gets the starting assignment in place of an injured Matt Williams, becoming the first All-Star starter in club history.

July 17 - National cross-checker Herb Hippauf falls short in his battle with cancer. An original member of the scouting staff, he joined the organization in 1992.

July 31 - The Rockies acquire two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen from the Mets.

August 9 - The Rockies welcome 300 blind and visually impaired athletes to Denver for the 20th annual World Series of Pioneer Beep Baseball. As a sponsor, the club provides equipment, umpires, field expenses and other costs.

October 1 - The Rockies defeat the San Francisco Giants, 10-9, to claim the National League Wild Card, becoming the first expansion team to reach postseason play prior to its eighth year of competition.

November 2 - Dante Bichette and the Rockies agree to terms on a three-year deal. Later in the month, Bichette finishes second in the NL MVP balloting.

November 7 - Don Baylor receives National League Manager of the Year honors for leading his third-year club to postseason play.

November 16 - Ken Griffey Sr. becomes the fourth batting coach in as many years. Former big- league manager Jackie Moore is also named to the coaching staff.

November 20 - Walt Weiss re-signs with the Rockies, agreeing to a two-year deal with a '98 player option.

November 27 - All-Star third baseman Vinny Castilla signs a two-year contract, through 1997.

1996

February 15 - The city of Tucson and the Rockies reach an agreement in principal to keep the city the spring training home of the franchise for the next 15 years.

March 29 - Michael McMorris, son of Rockies Chairman Jerry McMorris, passes away after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. The club will wear a shoulder patch bearing Michael's initials during the 1996 season.

May 11 - Florida Marlins pitcher Al Leiter no-hits the Rockies at Joe Robbie Stadium.

September 12 - Ellis Burks steals his 30th base of the season, becoming the first 30-30 player in franchise history. He hit his 30th home run on August 5.

September 13 - Having stolen his 30th base of the year the night before, Dante Bichette followed his teammate's lead by hitting his 30th homer. The Rockies joined the 1987 New York Mets as the only teams in history to boast two 30-30 players in the same season.

September 15 - Andres Galarraga's three-run homer scores the 626th, 627th and 628th runs of 1996 at home, helping the Rockies set the modern Major League record for runs scored at home (625, Boston Red Sox, 1950). The Rockies would end the season with 658 tallies at Coors.

September 16 - Walt Weiss, continuing to participate in the Rockies field refurbishment program, announced the field he contributed funds for in Timnath, Colo., would bear the name of Michael D. McMorris in honor of the late son of Rockies Chairman Jerry McMorris, who lost his life to cystic fibrosis in March.

September 17 - The Dodgers' Hideo Nomo tosses the first no-hitter in Coors Field history, the second against the Rockies in 1996. Colorado became the first Major League team to get no-hit twice and still win the club batting title in the same season.

September 28 - Ellis Burks steals second base and helps the Rockies become the first Major League team to hit 200 home runs and steal 200 bases in the same season.

October 16 - Colorado names Clint Hurdle, minor league roving hitting instructor since 1993, batting coach.

October 28 - National League All-Star Ellis Burks re-signs with Colorado, agreeing to a two-year deal through 1998.

November 24 - The Colorado Rockies, in conjunction with Volunteers of America, ARAMARK, Sysco Foods, King Soopers, Austin Food Brokerage, Butler Rents and Cargill/Honeysuckle Turkeys, host a holiday Turkey Feast in the Coors Field press box.

December 9 - Free-agent catcher Kirt Manwaring signs a two-year deal with the Rockies.

1997

February 25 - The Rockies and KWGN-TV Channel 2 announce a five-year contract extension, which allows the Rockies affiliate to continue to broadcast the club's games through the 2002 season.

February 26 - The Rockies and FOX Sports Rocky Mountain reach a multiyear agreement for the cable rights to the club, beginning with seven telecasts in 1997 and expanding to 50 games each year for the remainder of the contract.

August 10-13 - Coors Field hosts the fifth annual RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner-cities) World Series. Teams representing the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico compete in both boys and girls divisions.

August 13 - In a pregame ceremony attended by Rachel and Sharon Robinson, the Rockies retire No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson's historic and heroic contributions to the game of baseball. His number adorns the rightfield wall in Coors Field, and is retired across baseball.

August 18 - The Rockies acquire RHP Pedro Astacio from the Dodgers for second baseman Eric Young. Astacio goes 5-1 to close out the season and picks up four of the top five Rockies single-game strikeout performances for the year.

September 24 - Minor league pitcher Doug Million passes away after a severe asthma attack in Mesa, Ariz., where he was taking part in Instructional League.

September 29 - Oren L. Benton resigns as vice chairman.

October 22 - Rightfielder Larry Walker wins the franchise's first Gold Glove.

November 13 - Walker is named the National League's Most Valuable Player. He becomes the first Canadian and first Rockies player to win the award. Walker is voted first on 22 of the 28 ballots submitted.

November 13 - Colorado loses two players in the MLB Expansion Draft: Quinton McCracken and Bryan Rekar to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Rockies, however, acquire second baseman Mike Lansing and left-handed reliever Chuck McElroy in trades.

December 2 - After hitting .304, with 40 HR and 113 RBI for a second consecutive season, Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla agrees to a four-year contract extension through 2001.

December 4 - Darryl Kile, one of the most coveted pitchers on the free-agent market, agrees to a three-year contract.

December 8 - Richard L. Monfort becomes vice chairman, joining his brother, Charles, who has held the same position since 1992.

1998

June 10 - Dante Bichette becomes the first Rockies player to hit for the cycle.

July 6 - Coors Field hosts the 69th annual Major League All-Star festivities, beginning with All-Star Workout Day. Ken Griffey Jr. beats out Jim Thome to win the long-awaited home run derby. During the contest's first round, Mark McGwire launches a ball 510 feet off a billboard in center field.

July 7 - In the highest-scoring All-Star Game in history, the Americans beat the Nationals, 13-8. Roberto Alomar earns the MVP award. Earlier in the day, the Rockies and several other entities dedicate Coca-Cola All-Star park, the crown jewel of the club's Fields of Dreams program. A replica of Coors Field, the facility is the finest youth baseball park in the country.

July 21 - In his Major League debut, Mark Brownson tosses a complete-game shutout at Houston.

July 25 - Neifi Perez becomes the second Rockies player to hit for the cycle.

July 31 - The Rockies trade outfielder Ellis Burks to the Giants for center fielder Darryl Hamilton and two minor league prospects.

August 31 - OF Dante Bichette agrees to a three-year contract extension.

Sept. 18 - Colorado agrees to a player development contract with the Double-A Carolina Mudcats of the Southern League.

Sept. 28 - The Rockies relieve the only manager in club history, Don Baylor, of his duties one day after the regular season.

October 7 - Colorado introduces Jim Leyland as the club's second manager. The skipper comes to the Rockies from Florida, where he led the Marlins to the 1997 world championship.

October 27 - The Rockies promote Tom Probst to head trainer. Probst, an original club trainer, replaces Dave Cilladi.

November 5 - Club ownership introduces Gary Hughes, the team's vice president/player personnel.

November 6 - Colorado signs Darryl Hamilton to a three-year contract.

November 7 - The Rockies sign Lenny Harris and Brian Bohanon to free-agent contracts.

December 18 - Club management promotes Brandy Lay to director of team travel, the third in franchise history.

1999

In the bottom of the ninth vs. Atlanta, Larry Walker hits a game-winning, three-run homer off John Rocker to give the Rockies a dramatic 4-1 victory. It was Walker's second home run of the day.

January 4 - The Rockies promote Tim Ireland to Pacific Rim coordinator, a point man in the franchise's Far East scouting.

February 9 - Days before spring training, the Rockies and RHP Mike DeJean agree on a three-year contract.

April 4 - Colorado marks its seventh Opening Day with a historic game. The Rockies and Padres become the first teams to open a Major League schedule outside of the U.S. or Canada, in Monterrey, Mexico. Colorado wins, 8-2.

April 20 - Tragedy strikes nearby Columbine High School and the Rockies postpone two home games with the Montreal Expos.

May 5 - At Wrigley Field, the Rockies become the third team in the 20th century to score in every inning of a nine-inning game, in a 13-6 win over the Cubs.

June 2 - Colorado uses its first-round selection in the First-Year Player Draft to take RHP Jason Jennings. The Baylor University product later garners College Player of the Year honors.

June 19 - Todd Helton becomes the third Colorado player to hit for the cycle en route to the NL's Player of the Week award. Then, after his cycle, his next four hits are a homer, single, double and triple. In six games following, Helton fell one hit shy of a second cycle.

June 24 - The Rockies host An Evening of Stars and Fireworks at Coors Field, a celebrity softball game involving several local pro athletes. More than 25,000 attend the contest, with proceeds benefiting the prevention of youth violence.

July 31 - Less than an hour before a game at St. Louis, Colorado sends LHP Chuck McElroy and OF Darryl Hamilton to the Mets for LHP Rigo Beltran, and OFs Tom Johnson and Brian McRae. McRae spends only nine days with the club, before Colorado trades him to Toronto.

August 20 - Bob Gebhard, the franchise's first and only general manager, resigns his post.

September 6 - In a pregame clubhouse meeting, manager Jim Leyland tells his players he will resign at season's end, in order to spend more time with his family after 25 seasons as a manager.

August 31 - With the postseason roster deadline approaching, Colorado sends Lenny Harris to Arizona for INF prospect Belvani Martinez.

September 20 - Dan O'Dowd, 40, is named the second general manager in franchise history.

October 8 - The Rockies announce they have agreed to terms with Tsao Chin-Hui, from Taiwan, the franchise's first player from the Far East region. Tsao is introduced at a press conference Dec. 2.

October 12 - Colorado announces a restructuring of the front office, including new hires Josh Byrnes, Michael Hill, Bill Schmidt and Boyd Coffie for key baseball posts.

October 19 - The Rockies hire Mark Wiley, the Royals' pitching coach, as senior director of player personnel.

October 20 - Colorado introduces Buddy Bell as the franchise's third manager.

October 30 - O'Dowd makes his first of six offseason deals, sending the most popular player in franchise history, Dante Bichette, to the Reds for OF Jeffrey Hammonds and RHP Stan Belinda.

November 16 - The new GM grabs headlines again, this time with a seven-player deal: RHPs Darryl Kile, Dave Veres and Luther Hackman to St. Louis for RHPs Manny Aybar, Rick Croushore and Jose Jimenez, and INF Brent Butler.

December 8 - Colorado agrees to terms with free-agent OF Tom Goodwin on a three-year deal.

December 9 - The Rockies agree to terms with free-agent C Brent Mayne on a two-year deal.

December 10 - The club announces new team orthopedists: Dr. Richard Hawkins, Dr. Michael Curtin and Dr. Richard Steadman.

December 13 - At baseball's winter meetings in Anaheim, Calif., O'Dowd engineers the first four-team trade since 1985. In the nine-player deal, Colorado sends 3B Vinny Castilla to Tampa Bay, RHP Jamey Wright and C Henry Blanco to Milwaukee, and RHP Justin Miller to Oakland. In return, Colorado gets 3B Jeff Cirillo and LHP Scott Karl from the Brewers, and INF Aaron Ledesma and RHP Rolando Arrojo from the Devil Rays. Oakland then sends RHP Jimmy Haynes to the Brewers.

2000

Jan. 4 - The Rockies finalize Bell's first coaching staff: pitching coach Marcel Lachemann, batting coach Clint Hurdle, bench coach Toby Harrah, bullpen coach Fred Kendall, first-base coach Dallas Williams, third-base coach Rich Donnelly, senior advisor Dave Garcia and strength coach Brad Andress.

Jan. 14 - O'Dowd brings RHP Masato Yoshii to Colorado, from the Mets for LHP Bobby M. Jones and RHP Lariel Gonzalez.

Jan. 19 - The Rockies introduce additions to their uniforms, as well as an alternate purple jersey, alternate home uniform and purple-billed cap.

April 3 - The Rockies open in Atlanta with only six players from their 1999 Opening Day roster, believed to be the largest year-to-year turnover ever in professional team sports.

June 28 - The Rockies and commissioner Bud Selig celebrate Coors Field's 20 millionth fan. Jeff Cirillo hits three homers and compiles a club-record 13 total bases in a 17-13 win.

Aug. 21 - Todd Helton had two hits in his first three at-bats against Atlanta at Coors Field to pull his batting average to .400, before finishing the night at .398. Helton reached .400 the latest in a season since George Brett reached the magic number on Sept. 4, 1980. Helton finished the season leading the National League with a .372 average.

Aug. 22 - With the Rockies out of pitchers, C Brent Mayne threw a scoreless 12th inning, and Adam Melhuse used his first Major League hit to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the inning as Colorado won, 7-6. Mayne became the first position player to be credited with a pitching victory since Rocky Colavito won for the New York Yankees against Detroit in 1968.

Dec. 4 - Colorado agrees to terms with LHP Denny Neagle.

Dec. 9 - Colorado agrees to terms with LHP Mike Hampton.

2001

July 4 - Mike Hampton is named the first All-Star pitcher in franchise history.

July 25 - The Rockies, Royals and A's complete a five-player deal in which Colorado acquires INF Jose Ortiz, OF Mario Encarnacion and LHP Todd Belitz from Oakland and trade INF Neifi Perez to Kansas City for OF Jermanine Dye, who then is traded to Oakland for the three players.

July 31 - The Rockies trade RHP Pedro Astacio, the franchise's all-time leader in starts, wins and innings pitched, to Houston for Lamar, Colo., native RHP Scott Elarton.

Aug. 6 - Coors Field hosts its first-ever concert during the third annual "Evening of Stars and Fireworks." Performers include Toby Keith and Montgomery Gentry.

Aug. 14 - President George W. Bush attends the Rockies game against the Braves at Coors Field. Colorado won 5-4 in 10 innings.

Aug. 23 - Jason Jennings throws a complete-game shutout and hits a home run in his Major League debut at Shea Stadium. He becomes the first player in Major League history to accomplish that feat.

Sept. 11 - In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Rockies announced the postponement of all games from Sept. 11-16 after the terrorist strikes on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. It is the first league-wide postponement since World War II.

Oct. 18 - Executive Vice President Keli McGregor is named Rockies Club President.

Dec. 17 - Colorado acquires RHP Denny Stark, LHP Brian Fuentes and RHP Jose Paniagua from the Seattle Mariners for 3B Jeff Cirillo.

2002

April 26 - Colorado introduces Clint Hurdle as the franchise's fourth manager.

April 12 - Colorado 1B Todd Helton knocks his 800th career hit with a single against Arizona. He reached the mark in 676 games, the eighth-fewest games among players in history.

April 12 - Colorado acquires C Sandy Alomar Jr. from the Chicago White Sox for minor league RHP Enemenchio Pacheco.

July 31 - The Rockies acquire OF Jay Payton, RHP Mark Corey and OF Robert Stratton from the New York Mets for RHP John Thomson and OF Mark Little. Colorado also acquires OF Gabe Kapler and INF Jason Romano from the Texas Rangers for OF Todd Hollandsworth and LHP Dennys Reyes.

Aug. 13 - Rockies RHP Jason Jennings earned his 13th victory of the season to break the club rookie record, set by RHP Armando Reynoso during the club's expansion season of 1993. Jennings finished the season 16-8.

Oct. 31 - Heading into his first offseason as the Rockies' manager, Clint Hurdle completes his coaching staff for 2003. Bench coach Jamie Quirk, third base coach Sandy Alomar Sr., first base coach Dave Collins, pitching coach Bob Apodaca, hitting coach Duane Espy, bullpen coach Rick Matthews and bullpen catcher Mark Strittmatter are hired.

Nov. 14 - Rockies RHP Jason Jennings becomes the first player in Rockies history to earn the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Jennings is the runaway winner in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

2003

Jan. 23 - Longtime Cleveland Indians television broadcaster Jack Corrigan is named to the Rockies' radio booth to join Jeff Kingery, who had been with the club since its first season, 1993. Corrigan replaced Wayne Hagin, believed to be the only person to witness all 1,557 games the club had ever played.

April 10 - In the sixth inning of an eventual 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors field, first baseman Todd Helton caught a Orlando Palmerio line drive and set into motion the first triple play in Rockies history. Helton threw to shortstop Jose Hernandez, who stepped on second for an out and tagged a base runner for the third out.

June 24 - Right-handed pitcher Shawn Chacon holds the San Diego Padres to four hits in seven innings of a 5-1 victory to improve to 11-3 and solidify his first All-Star Game invitation. Chacon, who would suffer an elbow injury and finish the season 11-8, was the second pitcher in club history to be invited to the Midseason Classic. The injury, however, prevented him from participating. Chacon also became the first Rockies pitcher to be named NL Pitcher of the Month (April), and was the first Colorado pitcher chosen NL Player of the Week (April 21, an award he shared with the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa).

July 15 - First baseman Todd Helton and center fielder Preston Wilson represented the Rockies in the All-Star Game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Helton, voted to the starting lineup for the second straight year, knocked his first All-Star home run. Wilson earned selection to the team by knocking 91 RBIs, the most in history at the break. Rockies head trainer Tom Probst also represented the club.

July 25 - Taiwanese right-hander Chin-hui Tsao gave up a leadoff homer to Milwaukee's Eric Young, but recovered and pitched the Rockies to a 7-3 victory at Coors Field. Tsao became the first pitcher from his country to appear in and win a Major League game.

Sept. 22 - Rockies third base coach Sandy Alomar, who carried the banner of Puerto Rico during a 15-year big-league career and long contributed to the national program in his homeland, announced that he had been chosen to manage Puerto Rico in an Olympic qualifying tournament.

Sept. 25 - Rockies and KOA Radio agree to a five-year extension.

Sept. 29 - The Rockies beat San Diego, 10-8, in the Padres' final game at Qualcomm Stadium. Preston Wilson finished the season leading the National League with 141 RBIs. Todd Helton finished with a .358 batting average, a point short of his second NL batting crown.

Oct. 28 - USA Baseball officials announce that Rockies outfield prospect Matt Holliday was added to Team USA for an Olympic qualifying tournament in Panama.

Nov. 12 - The club extends the contracts of both GM Dan O'Dowd and Manager Clint Hurdle through the 2006 season.

Dec. 10 - The Rockies brought back one of their original members, third baseman Vinny Castilla, who played for the club from 1993-99. Later in the month, the Rockies signed power-hitting outfielder Jeromy Burnitz in a move toward returning to the power-based lineups of the past, when Castilla was part of a crew known as the "Blake Street Bombers."

2004

July 8 - FOX Cable Networks agree to become a limited partner of the Rockies. Fox Sports Net and the Rockies reach long-term television rights contract.

Aug. 6 - Rockies trade Larry Walker, the franchise's all-time leader in nearly every offensive category, to the St. Louis Cardinals for three minor leaguers.

Sept. 9 - Rockies farmhand Jeff Francis is named Baseball America's 2004 Minor League Player of the Year, the first player in organizational history to earn that honor. A few weeks later, the left-handed pitcher is named USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year, also the first Rockie to win that award as well.

Nov. 9 - In a meeting of the directors and shareholders of the Colorado Rockies general partner, Jerry McMorris is removed as a director and officer of the Club.

2005

April 3 - Third baseman Garrett Atkins is placed on DL, one of many Rockies to face that fate in 2005.

April 4 - Rookie shortstop Clint Barmes knocks a two-run, walkoff homer at Coors Field in a 12-10 victory over San Diego in the season opener, but Dustan Mohr emerges from the postgame celebration with a left calf injury that would throw his entire season out of balance.

May 8 - The Rockies top the Marlins, 8-3, to end a 10-game losing streak, as Aaron Miles hits his first career grand slam and Barmes continues to work his magic with a three-run, inside-the-park homer.

May 25 - Right-handed reliever Chin-hui Tsao undergoes season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.

June 06 - Barmes fractures his left collarbone in a freak off-the-field accident. He misses 78 games before returning to the lineup on Sept. 2.

July 12 - Brian Fuentes, having replaced Tsao as the Rockies closer, is the Rockies' lone representative at the 2005 All-Star Game, though he sees no action.

July 20 - JD Closser rips a two-run homer off Nationals starter Livan Hernandez in Washington to give the Rockies their first series win on the road since Sept. 2004.

Aug. 11 - Todd Helton returns to the lineup after his first career stint on the disabled list. His suddenly hot bat would help the Rockies enjoy some success in the final weeks of the season.

Sept. 30 - Cleanup hitter Matt Holliday led the National League for the month of Sept. with 32 RBIs, a club record for the month.

Oct. 2 - The Rockies finished the season in the cellar of the National League West, 15 games behind the Padres, but with a feeling of optimism about the 2006 campaign. With all the young talent that saw the field in 2005, the Rockies can justifiably view themselves as a team on the rise.

2006

The Rockies went 76-86 in 2006, recording 9 more wins than the previous year. The club ranked tied for the 5th-largest improvement in both wins and winning percentage in the major leagues from 2005 to 2006. The rise in both categories was 3rd-best in the N.L.

Colorado finished 12.0 games behind division champion San Diego and wild card Los Angeles, the club's smallest season-ending deficit in the last 8 seasons (beginning 1998). In fact, the only four seasons in which the Rockies have ever had smaller deficits to end a campaign came in a four-year span from 1994-97. Team was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on September 22, marking latest such date in a season since 1997.

The Rockies had the 5th-highest winning percentage (44-43, .506) in the N.L. at the All-Star break. Club was just 32-43 (.427) after the break, the lowest winning percentage in the league and 4th-lowest in the majors. The 42-39 record at the halfway point (81 games) matched the 3rd-best start in franchise history. Club was season-high 7 games over .500 after win on May 8 at St. Louis (20-13), but were never above .500 mark after dropping first game following All-Star break. That day marked the first time to be at least 7 games over since July 7, 2000 (45-38). The Rockies had at least a share of first place for 34 days, the 2nd-most days in first place in a season in franchise history. Last time team was in first place was July 5, which marked the latest in a season to have a share of the division lead since 1996 (July 25).

2007

The Rockies went 90-73 this season to capture the NL Wild Card spot in the playoffs. The team set franchise records for wins and winning percentage in a season, as the Rox had never had more than 83 wins in any campaign. The '07 season marked the second time the Rockies had ever made the playoffs, as they secured the NL's first-ever Wild Card berth in 1995. Colorado dropped 3 of 4 games to Atlanta in 1995. Rox went 7-4 in '07 postseason, sweeping Phillies and D-Backs in first two rounds, then getting swept by Boston in World Series.

The playoff berth was a result of the Rockies winning 14 of their final 15 games in the regular season, a stretch which included a franchise-record 11-game win streak and a Wild Card tiebreaker win over San Diego on Oct. 1 at Coors Field. The 11-game win streak from Sept. 16-27 was the longest in the major leagues in '07, 2 games longer than the Rockies' previous best (9 games, Aug. 26-Sept. 5, 1997). The Rockies were the best team in the National League beginning May 1 (80-57), June 1 (65-44), July 1 (51-31), August 1 (36-22), and September 1 (21-8). Club also had best record in NL in second 'half' (46-29), this after not having had a winning record after the All-Star break since 1998 (40-33).

The Rockies did not hold the Wild Card lead at any point after the season's first few games until the final day of the regular season, when San Diego lost and the Rockies won to force the Wild Card tiebreaker. The tiebreaker win marked the only time the club led the Wild Card race.

Colorado finished just 0.5 game behind division-champion Arizona, the smallest season-ending deficit in franchise history. The Rockies' 90 wins matched Arizona for most by any National League team in 2007, and the win total was tied for 5th-most in the majors. Club had finished in 4th or 5th place in 9 consecutive years until this season. The final 0.5-game deficit in the West was the club's smallest all year after April 7 (-0.5 GB).

The team finished the season a franchise-best 17 games above .500. The Rockies had never been better than 12 games over .500 at any point in any season until the final week of the 2007 campaign. Colorado's final win total was 14 more than in 2006 (76-86) and 23 more than in 2005 (67-95).

2008

As defending National League Champions for the first time in franchise history, the Rockies finished the 2008 season with a record of 74-88, 3rd place in the NL West and 10.0 games behind the division-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. With a sub-.500 record, Colorado became the second straight NL team to post a losing record the year after winning the Pennant (also St. Louis, 78-84 in 2007 following their World Series championship). For the Rockies, it marked their 11th losing season, the 7th losing season for the franchise in the last eight years (since 2001). The third-place finish for the Rockies marks the first time the team has finished in that spot in the NL West standings since 1997. Including last season's 2nd-place finish, the Rockies finished in 3rd place or better in consecutive years for the first time since 1994-97.

The Rockies, aided by a modest second half surge, were in contention for much of the 2008 season. From June 3-end of the season Colorado had the 2nd-best record among NL West clubs at 54-50 - 2nd only to the NL West Champion Dodgers mark of 56-49 in that stretch. The club was mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on September 18. As a result, the team played only nine games without their own playoff implications on the line. In fact, the Rockies were within 5.0 games of the first place NL West team (Arizona at the time) as late as Sept. 5, when the club was 8 games below .500 at 67-75. The Rockies were in 3rd place (or tied) for all but three days from July 18-end of the year.

Colorado had records of 39-57 in the first half and 35-31 in the second half. The 39 wins prior to the All-Star break were the 3rd-fewest in the NL behind San Diego (37-58) and Washington (36-60). Their .406 winning pct. prior to the break was the 3rd-lowest in team history. Throughout the season the club was never more than one game over .500, as the club reached high marks of 1-0 following an Opening Day win and 9-8 after a 3-2 win on April 19 at Houston. The Rockies had the 7th-best record in the NL after the All-Star Break, their second consecutive season to post a winning record in the second half, and just the sixth time to do so in franchise history.

2009

The Rockies finished the 2009 season with a record of 92-70 to capture the National League Wild Card spot in the playoffs. The club finished in 2nd place in the NL West, 3.0 games behind the division-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. Colorado set franchise records for wins and winning percentage in a season, ahead of the club marks in 2007 (90-73, .552). This is the third time in 17 years as a franchise that the Rockies have made it to the postseason, all as a Wild Card representative. No National League team has won the NL Wild Card more times than the Rockies.

After starting the season at 18-28, Clint Hurdle (534-625 as Rockies manager) was replaced by Bench Coach Jim Tracy on May 29. After that date, the Rockies played 32 games over .500 (74-42) for the rest of the season under their new manager. The club fell to a season-worst 12 games below even on June 3 (20-32) before going a National League-best 72-38 from June 4 through the end of the season. As late as June 5, the Rockies trailed the first-place Dodgers by 14.5 games in the NL West standings. On June 3, the club was a season-high 15.5 games behind the Dodgers' pace. No team has ever overcome a 15.5-game deficit to win a division (not the 1914 Boston Braves (15 games), not the 1978 New York Yankees (14 games), or the 1951 New York Giants (13 1/2). Although the Rockies never overtook the Dodgers from first place, they did cut the deficit to just 1.0 game back as late as October 2.

Colorado had records of 47-41 in the first half and 45-29 in the second half. The pre All-Star record was the 3rd-best mark for the club in history despite the slow start in April and May. Following the All-Star break, the Rockies had at least a share of the NL Wild Card lead for a total of 72 days...in fact, Colorado had sole possession of the NL?Wild Card lead for the final 34 consecutive days of the season following an 8-3 win vs. the Mets on Sept. 1. The Rockies finished the season 22 games over .500. On October 2, the Rockies improved to 24 games over .500 (92-68) for the first time in franchise history. Prior to 2009, the club had never been more than 17 games over (finished 90-73, 2007).

2010

In his first full season as Rockies Manager, Jim Tracy skippered the club to an 83-79 record, and a third-place finish in the National League West. Tracy joined Don Baylor as the only Rockies managers to have winning records in consecutive seasons. Baylor accomplished the feat in 1995 (77-67), 1996 (83-79) and 1997 (83-79). The Rockies had a shot at their third playoff appearance in four years, but lost 13 of their final 14 regular-season games.

However, several stars emerged.

Pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Rockies history, a 4-0 victory over the Braves on April 17. Jimenez went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA and finished with club records for wins, ERA for a starter over a full season and strikeouts with 214. In addition, he became the first Rockies pitcher to start in the All-Star Game. He threw two scoreless innings for the National League. He finished third in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez finished third in the NL Most Valuable Player voting after leading the league in batting at .336 and adding 34 home runs and 117 RBIs. The power numbers were impressive, considering he hit leadoff for 44 games during the early part of the season. On Aug. 31, Gonzalez accomplished the sixth cycle in Rockies history and completed it in dramatic fashion - with a ninth-inning home run for a 6-5 victory over the Cubs. He received a Rawlings Gold Glove Award and a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki earned his first All-Star Game invitation, and had a career year by hitting .315 with 27 home runs and 95 RBIs despite missing six weeks with a fractured left wrist. Tulowitzki, the first shortstop to lead the NL in slugging percentage and fielding percentage since the Pirates' Jay Bell in 1993, earned his first career Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

Pitching-wise, the Rockies set club records for lowest ERA (4.14), most strikeouts (1,234), fewest hits allowed (1,405), lowest opponents average (.257) and fewest home runs (139). 2010 was the second straight season the Rockies have allowed fewer hits than innings pitched for the season. Those are the only two times the Rockies have done so in the club's 18 seasons.

2011

The Rockies' quest for a third straight winning season came nowhere close to the mark. A team that was predicted to contend finished 73-89, fourth in the NL West. The Rockies won just 38 games at home, tied for the fewest wins at home over a full season in the Rockies' 19-year history. The club won 25 at home in 1994, but that was a strike-shortened year. The 35 road wins were fourth-most in club history. The Rockies, beset by injuries by season's end, used a club-record 55 players, most by any team in the Majors. A bright spot was a bullpen that posted a 3.89 ERA, fourth-lowest in team history.

It turned out to be a big year for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who led all shortstops in the Majors in extra-base hits with 68, slugging percentage, OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) and RBIs wit 105, and tied for the lead in home runs with 30 and doubles with 36. In addition, he was the dominant defensive shortstop, so he took home Rawlings Gold Glove and Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger awards.

2012

Colorado went 64-98 (.395) and finished fifth in the National League West, with a franchise record for losses in a year, surpassing their 95 losses in 1993 and 2005. Colorado finished with the third-lowest winning percentage in the league in 2012, as only Houston (55-107, .340) and the Chicago Cubs (61-101, .377) had more losses than the Rockies.

The early part of the season was marked by history - 49-year-old Jamie Moyer winning not once, but twice. He became the oldest starting pitcher in history to earn a "W". However, Moyer became one of many pitchers to come in and out of the rotation. Injury and ineffectiveness marked the rotation throughout the season. Rockies starters combined for a 29-68 record with a 5.81 ERA. Struggling to field a five-man rotation , the Rockies experimented with a four-man rotation with tight pitch limits. As a result, the relievers threw a Major League record 657 innings - far more than the previous mark, 601 1/3 by the 2003 Rangers.

As rough a year as it was on the mound, it was an encouraging year at the plate despite the fact Opening Day regulars Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Hernandez saw their seasons end early because of injuries. Outfielders Carlos Gonzalez, who made his first All-Star trip and had a solid year despite little protection in the lineup, and Dexter Fowler, who overcame a slow start to have his best season in the leadoff spot, had big years. Infielder Jordan Pacheco led National League rookies with a .309 batting average and catcher Wilin Rosario led NL rookies with a Rockies rookie record 28 homers. Rookies Josh Rutledge and DJ LeMahieu, and offseason acquisition Tyler Colvin took advantage of the playing time with solid years. The Rockies' .274 batting average led the NL - for the first time since 2007 and the 10th time in franchise history. The Rockies also were high in the NL in runs (2nd), hits (T-1st with STL), doubles (2nd), triples (2nd), home runs (5th), RBI (3rd), batting average (1st), OBP (2nd), SLG (2nd), OPS (.766, 1st) and extra-base hits (524, 2nd).

Still, the year called for changes. General manager Dan O'Dowd remained the chief baseball officer but named Bill Geivett the senior vice president of Major League operations and gave him day-to-day duties. On Oct. 7, Jim Tracy, who took over as manager in 2009, resigned. Two weeks later, the Rockies hired Walt Weiss -- who spent part of a long and productive career in purple pinstripes -- as the sixth manager in club history.

2013

The Rockies finished last in the National League West for the second straight year. It marked the first time in club history the team had finished last in consecutive years. Still, the 74-88 record under first-year manager Walt Weiss marked a 10-game improvement over 2012, and the year was full of individual accolades.

Right fielder-first baseman Michael Cuddyer earned his first National League batting championship with a .331 average, and along the way set a club record with a 27-game hit streak. Third baseman Nolan Arenado became the first National League rookie to earn a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and left fielder Carlos Gonzalez was presented with his third. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who began the year at Triple-A Colorado Springs, was named the Rockies' Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Cuddyer, Gonzalez and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki not only were invited to the All-Star Game, but they started the game at Citi Field. The club's starting pitchers even made some history. Jhoulys Chacin (3.47 ERA), Jorge De La Rosa (3.49) and Tyler Chatwood (3.15), who went a combined 38-21 with a 3.40 ERA in 81 starts, became the first three starters in club history to post sub-4.00 ERAs in the same season.

Even with all the accomplishment, the rough finish is easily explained. The Rockies went 29-52 on the road, matching the 2012 team. After being a contender in the NL West through May, the season turned inexplicably in the wrong direction on June 13. Gonzalez being smoked on the ankle by a foul ball while in the on-deck circle foreshadowed a bad Rockies day. Center fielder Dexter Fowler, who was headed for a career year, was hit on the right hand by a pitch and would eventually land on the disabled list. Late in the game, Tulowitzki dove for a grounder and suffered a broken rib that would cost him 47 games. Those weren't the only season-scuttling injuries. Closer Rafael Betancourt suffered a groin injury, missed time because of an emergency appendectomy and suffered a season-ending right elbow injury. His injuries were a big reason the bullpen -- a key part of the club in winning years -- went 20-28 with a 4.23 ERA.

But 2013 will be remembered most for the finish to a 17-year career for first baseman Todd Helton, who spent his entire career in Rockies purple pinstripes. The Rockies honored Helton before their final home game, on Sept. 25, by presenting him with a horse during a moving pregame ceremony. Helton homered off the Red Sox's Jake Peavy in his first at-bat, and later doubled and finished with three RBIs. Helton finished his career 16th in Major League history in doubles with 592, and landed in the top 100 in : hits (2,519, 96th), doubles (592, 16th), home runs (369, tied for74th), RBI (1,406, tied for 61st), walks (1,335, 35th), extra-base hits (998,37th), total bases (4,292, 57th), batting average (.316, 52nd), on-base percentage (.414, 21st), slugging percentae (.539, 32nd) and OPS, or on-base percentage plus slugging percentage (.953, 19th).

2014

The Rockies finished with a 66-96 record, going 45-36 at home but turning in the worst road record in their 22-year history at 21-60.

Injuries were a part of the story. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who has battled the injury bug for several seasons, seemed headed for National League Most Valuable Player consideration but suffered a left hip injury that led to season-ending surgery in August. All-Star and three-time Gold Glove outfielder Carlos Gonzalez had a benign tumor removed from his left index finger in June, then underwent season-ending knee surgery in August. Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin made just 11 starts because of a shoulder injury, and Tyler Chatwood made just four starts and saw his season end because of Tommy John surgery on the right elbow.

There were also weird injuries. Third baseman Nolan Arenado missed 35 games because of a broken left middle finger he suffered sliding into second base on a double, and saw his year end a week early because of pneumonia. Right-handed pitchers Jordan Lyles and Christian Bergman each lost time with broken left hands. Lefty reliever Boone Logan went to the DL three times with elbow issues, and had a fourth trip to the DL because of the digestive ailment diverticulitis. Catcher Wilin Rosario and infielder Josh Rutledge each were felled by a flu bug. Michael Cuddyer, the NL batting champ in 2013, had to move to third base in Arenado's absence but that didn't last long because he suffered a broken left shoulder diving for a ball. Cuddyer also was sidelined twice with left hamstring injuries.

With a changing cast of characters, the starting pitching struggled and the relief pitching went down with it, and the Rockies finished with a Majors-worst 4.84 ERA. Still, it was a strong year for lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who won 14 games and improved his record in 81 starts to 45-14 with a 3.98 ERA. The Rockies rewarded him with a two-year, $25 million contract.

Justin Morneau hit .319 to earn the NL batting title in his first year in a Rockies uniform. Righty closer LaTroy Hawkins, in his second tour with the Rockies, became the 16th pitcher in history to make 1,000 appearances. Hawkins had a strong year as the Rockies' closer. The end of the year brought changes, with general manager Dan O'Dowd and senior vice president of Major League operations Bill Geivett announcing their resignations. Jeff Bridich, formerly the senior player development director, moved into the GM job. Also, the Rockies parted ways with pitching coaches Jim Wright and Bo McLaughlin.

2015

Another year of pitching struggles meant a fifth straight sub-.500 season (68-94), this one with first-year general manager Jeff Bridich running the front office. There were huge bright spots, such as third baseman Nolan Arenado's breakthrough offensive season and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez's impressive bounce-back season after dealing with injury for the previous year and a half.

The Rockies had their achievements. Arenado, en route to his third Rawlings Gold Glove Award in as many seasons in the league, became a regular on highlight reels with spectacular plays. Arenado also earned an award from The Fielding Bible as the best third baseman in the Majors, and a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. As the season progressed, Arenado found his power stroke, and would end up leading the Majors in RBIs with 130 and tied with the Nationals' Bryce Harper for the NL lead in home runs with 42. Gonzalez, after taking nearly two months to fully recover from a knee injury that ended his 2014 early, turned hot and stayed that way for the final five-plus months. Gonzalez finished with 40 homers, and he and Arenado took home Louisville Silver Slugger Awards. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu would appear in his first All-Star Game, joining Arenado and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Lefty Jorge De La Rosa would go 9-7 and up his career wins total to a Rockies-record 78, and also extend his club record for strikeouts to 877.

The Rockies set a new course on July 27 when they traded Tulowitzki - who had appeared in Purple Pinstripes for the last 10 seasons - to the Blue Jays for shortstop Jose Reyes and right-handed pitching prospects Jeff Hoffman, Miguel Castro and Jesus Tinoco in an effort to build quality and depth for the future. As for the young pitching, righty Chad Bettis, who struggled as a reliever in 2014, showed promise as a starter (8-6, 4.23 ERA).

2016

A long rebuilding period paid off for the Rockies as they gradually pushed their way into playoff relevance in June, July and August. Nolan Arenado, who tied for the National League lead with 41 homers, led the league with 133 RBIs. DJ LeMahieu led the NL in batting at .348. Trevor Story, a former first-round pick who seized his opportunity at shortstop, hit a NL rookie shortstop-record 27 homers. Carlos Gonzaelz had his third All-Star season. Starting pitching was encouraging, with Jon Gray setting a club rookie record with 185 strikeouts (including a team and Coors Field mark with 16 against the Padres in 16 in an 8-0 shutout of the Padres on Sept. 17; and Tyler Chatwood, who after missing 2015 with Tommy John surgery posted a 1.69 road ERA; and Chad Bettis, who went 7-2 with a 3.35 ERA in the second half. Also, former top pick David Dahl, an outfielder, batted .315 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in a 63-game Major League debut. But the bullpen had a Majors-worst 5.13 ERA.

Arenado garnered a trunk full of awards. He became the first third baseman in any league to win Rawlings Gold Glove Awards his first four years in the Majors, took home Wilson Defensive Player of the Year and Fielding Bible awards, and received the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award.

At season's end, manager Walt Weiss decided not to return for 2017. The Rockies turned to Bud Black, who managed the Padres 2007-15. Black became the first former pitcher hired as manager of a Rockies team that has been trying to solve the puzzle of pitching at altitude throughout their existence.

2017

Under first-year manager Bud Black, the Rockies received prodigious production from the youngest starting rotation in their history, saw third baseman Nolan Arenado and center fielder Charlie Blackmon perform at near-MVP levels, and went 87-75 to appear in the postseason for the first time since 2009. An 11-8 loss to the D-backs in the NL Wild Card Game ended the season; nonetheless, the Rockies ended a streak of six sub-.500 seasons, and tied a club record for wins on the road, with 41.

Feeling a young core was ready to win, general manager Jeff Bridich added two key free-agent signings - versatile Ian Desmond for five years and $70 million (the most money they've ever given a free-agent position player), and former All-Star closer Greg Holland, who had missed 2016 but had appeared in two All-Star Games for the Royals. But early in the year, important absences arose. Right-handed pitcher Chad Bettis, who had undergone surgery for testicular cancer in November 2016, learned in March he would need chemotherapy, Desmond suffered a fractured left hand during a Spring Training game, and early-season injuries to right-handed starter Jon Gray (navicular stress fracture of the right foot) and lefty starter Tyler Anderson (left knee issues) would affect the rotation.

However, with Holland earning the NL Reliever of the Month Award presented by The Hartford in April and May, and rookies German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela and Jeff Hoffman stepping into the rotation, the Rockies build confidence by winning most of their close games in the first half. Add to that a potent offense, and the team was 21 games above .500 through June 20. The signature moment of the outstanding start came on June 18, Father's Day, when Arenado not only hit for the cycle, but completed the feat with a walk-off two-run homer for a 7-5 victory over the Giants at Coors Field.

They won just five of their final 13 games going into the All-Star break, but finished on a high note when Freeland held the White Sox hitless for 8 1/3 innings. H, exited after a Melky Cabrera single broke the bid, but the 10-0 victory sent the Rockies into the break at 52-39.

The Rockies finished 35-36 after the break, but were able to fight off a late charge by the Brewers and the Cardinals for the final playoff spot. One key was ace-like pitching from Gray, who held his opponents to three or fewer runs in his final 13 regular-season starts, and went 703 with a 2.64 ERA in that span. It was the second-longest such single-season streak in franchise history, behind Ubaldo Jimenez's 14-game run in 2010.

Another factor in the Rockies hanging onto a postseason berth was Blackmon, who hit .350 with a .436 on-base percentage and .628 on-base percentage in 70 post-break contest. Blackmon would win the NL batting championship with a .331 average, finish with 37 homers and drive in 104 runs - including a Major League-record 103 from the No. 1 spot in the order. Blackmon's work at the top of the order helped provide opportunities for Arenado, who finished with a career-best .309 batting average, 37 homers and 130 RBIs. Arenado became one of eight players in history with three straight years with at least 35 homers and 130 RBIs, and joined Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx as the only players in history to accomplish the feat before age 27.

Bettis would provide one of the year's most inspirational moments in his Aug. 14 return to the Majors, when he held the Braves scoreless for seven innings in the Rockies' 3-0 victory at Coors.

Awards were plentiful in the end. While the Rockies' calling card is offense, defense and pitching were rewarded. Arenado earned his fifth straight Rawlings Gold Glove Award and first Rawlings Platinum Glove, plus earned Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year awards at his position. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu also did the Rawlings Gold Glove-Fielding Bible-Wilson Defensive Player triple play. Righty pitcher Tyler Chatwood earned a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award, as well. Marquez was chosen to the Topps Rookie All-Star Team in a year that saw him and Freeland tie for the Major League lead in rookie wins with 11, and Senzatela finish with 10. And Holland, who tied the Dodgers' Kenley Jansen for the NL lead in saves with 41, was chosen Comeback Player of the Year by MLB and by Sporting News.

2018

For the first time, the Rockies -- in their Silver Anniversary season -- made a second straight trip to the postseason. They went a step further than 2017 when Tony Wolters' 12th-inning single -- and a standout pitching performance -- gave the Rockies a 2-1 victory over the Cubs in the National League Wild Card Game. A three-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers in the NL Division Series ended a season that saw the Rockies tie the Dodgers after 162 games before bowing in a tie-breaker for the NL West title - which would have been the first in Rockies history. Star third baseman Nolan Arenado came in third in NL Most Valuable Player voting, and lefty No. 1 starter Kyle Freeland (11-7, 2.85 ERA) finished fourth in NL Cy Young balloting. Arenado led the NL in home runs with 38 and shortstop Trevor Story -- in his breakout season -- hit 37. The key was the starting rotation, which led the NL in innings pitched at 932. The staff overall struck out a club-record 1,409, 230 from German Marquez. The offense struggled to a franchise-low .256 batting average, but the defense helped the pitching by producing Gold Glove winners in Arenado (his sixth in as many Major League seasons) and second baseman DJ LeMahieu (his third).

2019

Hopes were high after two straight postseason berths, but two difficult stretches -- a 3-12 start and a 6-19 performance in July -- sent the Rockies to a 71-91 finish in their third year under manager Bud Black. It took an extra-innings win over the Brewers in the final regular-season game to put them in fourth place. The pitching struggled. Starters had a 5.87 ERA, and in August and most of September the five original starters were on the injured list. The bullpen posted a 5.14 ERA. Offensively, it was as usual. Colorado sent four to the All-Star Game -- third baseman Nolan Arenado, right fielder Charlie Blackmon (who had switched over from center field), shortstop Trevor Story and, for the first time, outfielder David Dahl. Arenado carried home his seventh Rawlings Gold Glove Award in as many Major League seasons.

2020

Strangeness was the order of 2020. After the lengthy shutdown, the Rockies learned that veteran outfielder Ian Desmond decided not to play, with concerns about the pandemic, the state of baseball in his hometown of Sarasota, Fla., and social issues. The Rockies not only supported him, but nominated him for the Roberto Clemente Award -- for commitment to the community and the value of helping others.

In another inspiring story, righty reliever Daniel Bard -- out of the Majors since 2012, after his control deserted him -- returned with the Rockies. Not only did he pitch well enough to earn the team’s closer job by season’s end, but he posted some of the nastiest fastballs and sliders in the Majors. Bard was the obvious choice for several Comeback Player of the Year Awards.

The season itself was equally strange. The Rockies began 11-3 and looked to be one of the Majors’ best teams. Not known for pitching throughout their history, a starting staff led by Germán Márquez, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela would finish the season with 28 quality starts -- second-most in the National League. Offensively, Charlie Blackmon carried a .500 batting average through 17 games and was above .400 for 28. Shortstop Trevor Story confirmed his star status with his power and speed numbers, and longtime prospect Raimel Tapia filled a need as the team’s leadoff man.

Two key injuries hurt the offense. Third baseman Nolan Arenado continued his stellar play defensively -- earning his eighth Gold Glove Award in as many Major League seasons, despite sustaining a left shoulder injury while diving for a ball during the season’s first week. Right shoulder soreness for outfielder David Dahl cropped up during Spring Training. Arenado and Dahl produced nowhere near the expected batting average and power numbers, and both saw their seasons end early. The lineup never truly found its form, and the Rockies finished with disappointing numbers in on-base percentage and home runs. Add to that a bullpen that struggled more often than not, and the Rockies’ promise soon disappeared. The Rockies were active on the trade market searching to recapture their early season positive momentum. They traded with the Red Sox for outfielder Kevin Pillar and with the Orioles for right-handed relief pitcher Mychal Givens. Nonetheless, the bright start was washed away by the 26-34 final record.

2021

The Rockies finished 74-87 for their third straight fourth-place finish in the National League West. Read that, and it sounds like a ho-hum year. It was anything but.

The Rockies unexpectedly hosted the All-Star Game, after it was moved from Atlanta. Germán Márquez, the team's only All-Star, carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Pirates on June 30, and finished with a one-hit shutout. The Rockies led the Majors with 12 walk-off victories and went 48-33 at Coors Field. Ryan McMahon had one of the strongest defensive seasons in the Majors at two positions -- second base, and third base -- and was a Gold Glove finalist at the latter.

But the record was what it was, and there were consequences. General manager Jeff Bridich resigned in late April, to be replaced on an interim and later full-time basis by Bill Schmidt, who had run the scouting department. And there were reasons for the performance. It was mostly because of a 15-29 start through May 19. The Rockies started especially poorly on the road -- 6-33, a mark that was threatening all-time futility marks, especially in contrast to the strong home record.

After the 15-29 start, the Rockies went 59-58 the rest of the way. They even went 20-21 on the road from July 8 to season's end. As the offseason dawned, it appeared the Rockies would be saying goodbye to shortstop Trevor Story, whose 26.7 Baseball-Reference WAR (wins above replacement) ranked fifth-best in cub history. Story, who basked in the Coors Field cheers as he participated in Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities, became a free agent at year's end.

2022

The brightest part of 2022 was the frantic run-up to the season. During Spring Training, the Rockies reached a seven-year, $182 million contract with free-agent outfielder Kris Bryant and a six-year, $70 million deal with third baseman Ryan McMahon, and laid the groundwork for pitcher Kyle Freeland’s five-year, $64.5 million pact. But the new money couldn’t prevent a 68-94, last-place finish in the National League West. Bryant was limited to 42 games because of injuries – to his back in April and to his right foot at midseason, and inconsistency reigned throughout the lineup. There were, however, bright spots. First baseman C.J. Cron earned an All-Star Game trip with a strong first half (a wrist injury marred his second half), second baseman Brendan Rodgers established himself with some lengthy hot streaks offensively and a Gold Glove Award, and outfielder Charlie Blackmon established the club’s career record for triples. The Rockies quietly turned the squad over to rookies – with the headliner being Ezequiel Tovar, one of the top shortstop prospects in the game. The Rockies pinned their hopes on a bright future based on a Minor League system that made major strides in prospect rankings, and had the second-highest winning percentage in MLB.

2023

The 2023 season will be remembered as the first that saw the Rockies (59-103) reach triple figures in losses. It will also go down as a year of transition.

The year started with the club turning off the important shortstop position over to rookie Ezequiel Tovar, who started slowly but reached expectations by finishing a Gold Glove finalist and leading the team in RBIs with 73. Also, by the end of April, the club called up center fielder Brenton Doyle, who won the Gold Glove. By May’s end, Nolan Jones reached the Majors, and by season’s end had 20 home runs, 20 steals, 62 RBIs and 19 outfield assists while playing primarily left field. As the season progressed, the Rockies traded many of their veterans – corner infielder Mike Moustakas, first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk in deals with the Angels, and relief pitchers Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand in swaps with the Braves – all for pitching prospects, of whom only righty reliever Victor Vodnik reached the Majors. It was a further sign that the Rockies were more about the future than now.

The transition to youth became a high spot in a mostly difficult year. Injuries were part of it. Key rotation members Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela underwent season ending right elbow surgeries during the season, and reliever Lucas Gilbreath missed the entire year because of left elbow surgery. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers (left shoulder) and outfielder Sean Bouchard (left biceps tear) missed much of the year with injuries sustained in early May. After being limited to 42 games in 2022, the first year of his seven-year, $182 million contract, Kris Bryant went through more assorted injuries in ‘23 and made just 80 appearances. Closer Daniel Bard also made multiple injured list trips. The most frightening injury was a fractured skull sustained by righty pitcher Ryan Feltner on May 19, but he returned for two September starts.

There were bright spots among vets. Catcher Elias Díaz socked the winning home run for the National League in the All-Star Game and was chosen the game’s Most Valuable Player. Lefty pitchers Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber had high points (but also injuries and slumps) and found themselves leading the starting staff. Outfielder Charlie Blackmon returned from a hand injury and fashioned a strong enough finish that the club signed him for another year – his 14th, all with the Rockies – to be a leader as transition continues in 2024. The work on ‘24 started Nov. 17, when the club acquired righty starter Cal Quantrill from the Guardians for Minor League catcher Kody Huff.