Best Rockies Games of the Decade: The Bookend Years
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 30, 2009 7:54 PM MST
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PrintAs we approach the end of the decade, I thought it might be a good idea to come up with a list of the 25 best Rockies games during the last ten years and set up a countdown. Later this week I'll come up with a complete list (minus the descpriptions) of games that I think should be nominated, but for now I just wanted to highlight the bookend years of the decade and get a pulse of what people think about this year's games and how good of a feel we all have for games played long ago. Suggestions from other Rowbots are welcomed and encouraged especially if it's about why a certain game should or should not be included.
Without further ado, here is a small taste of nominations. The best Rockies games from the first and last year of the decade.
April 16, 2000 (Cardinals) (14-13)The first nominee for best Rockies game of the decade was a classic Coors field prehumidor game. The Rockies overcame deficits of 3-0 and 7-3 to take a 14-9 lead into the final inning. Julian Tavarez then came into the game and surrendered two singles, a double, and a walk while only getting one out. In came Gabe White who quickly got the second out before walking the next two batters to load the bases and make it a 14-12 game. He then hit Eli Marrero to force in the Cardinals 13thrun before getting Placido Polanco, who already had a hit in the inning to line out to right field for the final out of the game. (Why he swung at the first pitch I'll never know) Interesting stat from this game is that despite scoring 14 runs, no Rockie had more than two hits. Very odd.
June 9, 2000 (Rangers) (3-2 in 12 innings)Not every game at Coors was a slugfest. Kenny Rogers and Pedro Astacioeach throw gems in a game that was tied 1-1 after 11 innings. It looked as if Texas would escape with a 2-1 victory when Ivan Rodriguez lined an RBI single into centerfield in the top of the 12th, but John Wetteland couldn't get anybody out in the bottom of the inning and Terry Shumpert proved to be the walkoff hero.
June 28, 2000 (Giants) (17-13)Rockies rally from an 8-1 third inning hole to win a wild one 17-13. Lansing, Cirillo, Helton, Hammonds, Mayne, and Perez all enjoy muti-hit games.
July 17, 2000 (A's)(10-9) The Rockies once promising season was falling apart; the team had lost 11 straight games and was in desperate need of a spark. When game 90 reached the middle of the 6th inning it didn't look like it would come on this night as the Rockies trailed the playoff bound A's 4-0. They would find some magic though and take a 6-4 lead at the end of 7. Then the game got really crazy. A's took a 7-6 lead in the top of the 8th, Rockies took an 8-7 lead in the bottom of the 8th, A's took a 9-8 lead in the top of the 9th, Rockies tied it in the bottom of the inning, A's waste a leadoff triple in the top of the 10th, Rockies win it in the bottom of the inning.
October 1, 2000(Braves) (10-5)Rockies close out the season in style. Helton goes 2-5 to improve his average to .3724 and edge out Nomar Garciaparra for the MLBbatting title. As a team, the Rockies make the last inning of the season a good one as they score seven times in the ninth and turn a 5-3 deficit into a 10-5 win.
And for the best games of 2009.....
June 20, 2009 (Pirates) (9-7) Rockies win 15thout of 16 on a game tying three run HR by Iannetta in the 8thand a game winning two run HR by Helton in the 9th
July 12, 2009 (Braves) (8-7) Rockies rally from a 7-3 7thinning deficit to beat John Kruk's Braves on a Brad Hawpe walkoff double and head into the All Star break in style.
July 22, 2009 (D'Backs) (4-3) Todd Helton reaches a milestone as he hits his 500th double in the third inning of a 4-3 comeback win against Arizona.
August 12, 2009 (Cubs) (11-5)ClapClap ClapClapClap ClapClapCalpClap TULO!!!!!! Troy Tulowitzkihits for the cycle and goes five for five with seven RBI's as the Rockies rout the Cubs. In addition the Rockies move a game ahead of the Giants in the Wild Card battle. What a great day!
August 24, 2009 (Giants) (6-4 in 14 innings) SpillySlam!!!!! I think you know what game I'm talking about J
August 25, 2009 (Dodgers) (5-4 in 10 innings) The next day brings another division rival, another extra inning game, and another Rockies walkoff victory. This time Troy Tulowitzki is the hero and he brings the celebration into the outfield.
September 11th, 2009 (Padres) (4-1)It appears as if the Rockies'seven game winning streak is going to come to an end with a painful 1-0 loss in San Diego; that is until Yorvit Torrealba rips a two out 9th inning bases clearing double to the wall in left center field. Paul Phillips then tacks on an insurance run.
September 27, 2009 (Cardinals) (4-3)Rockies get a walkoffwin defensive style withoutstanding fielding plays from both Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes in the top of the 9thinning. The question of whether or not Barmes actually caught the ball only adds to this game's lore.
September 29, 2009 (Brewers) (7-5 in 11 innings) On a night for the superstitious, Jason Kendal hits a game tying 3 run HR in the 9thinning off closer Huston Street after a premature celebration thread was posted. Crisis was averted however as Chris Iannetta hit a walkoff bomb in the bottom of the 11th moving the Rockies one step closer to the playoffs. (Of course this led to a different problem the next day in the Rockpile)
Rocktober 1, 2009 (Brewers) (9-2) The Rockies cruise to a 9-2 victory over the Brewers and clinch their second playoff berth of the decade in front of the home fans at Coors field.
Vouch for your favorites.
Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).
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One game I'm thinking about nominating is a game the Rockies didn't play in
What’s the thought about nominating game 161 from 2007 between the Brewers and the Padres? 9th inning rally by the Brewers against Hoffman, walkoff in the 11th, all of it in a game the Rockies needed the Brewers to have.
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 30, 2009 8:03 PM MST reply actions
Easy winner,
Game 163 in 07. Nothing even comes close. Had it been the Yankees or Red Sox or Dodgers playing, it would be considered one of the greatest reg-season games of all time.
Winners never quit, and quitters never win. But if you never quit *and* never win, you are an idiot
You could make an argument that it was the best reg-season game of all time
Many people think the best reg-season game of all time was game 163 of 1978 but game163 of 2007 was probably better. It had that more lead chnages, a grand slam, extra innings, a blown save by the all time saves leader, and controversy from both sides with the Atkins HR/double and the play at the plate in the 13th.
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 1, 2009 12:05 PM MST up reply actions
I totally agree with you. Not to mention the scrappy "Dragon Slayer" going against the evenutal Cy Young winner
Winners never quit, and quitters never win. But if you never quit *and* never win, you are an idiot
I thought the decade ended after 2010
The century didn’t start until 2001. Year 2100 marks the end of the 21st century.
JFK
"The century didn’t start until 2001."
Bill Clinton would disagree with you
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 1, 2009 7:12 AM MST up reply actions
So does my Y2K emergency kit.
..not to mention my broken computer.
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If the decade began in '96
Is there any doubt that this game would be included? I realize it’s off topic, I just felt like bringing it up. That’s one of my favorite games of all time, and pretty much sums up pre-humidor Coors Field. Good times.
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 2:27 PM MST up reply actions
That would probably have to be in the top 5
if we did best games from the 90’s
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 1, 2009 3:05 PM MST up reply actions
I think I'd put it 4th
After this game (for obvious reasons), this game (for obvious reasons), and this game (EY, who hadn’t hit a home run since opening day, hit 2. This was the second Rockies game I ever attended, and pretty much solidified me as a fan for life), and ahead of this game (first ever Rockies shutout) and this game (first complete game shutout, first home shutout. I really liked David Nied back then). Oh, and can’t forget this game. The Rockies are really good at opening stadiums.
By the way, I love this FanPost. I enjoy reminiscing about old Rockies games that I liked. Sorry that I’ve Shanghai’d it a little bit.
by controlled_slide on Dec 2, 2009 4:31 PM MST up reply actions
If we're including 2000 in this survey
We’d be fools to disregard this fine pitching performance.
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 10:09 PM MST up reply actions
That 9/11 game against the Padres was pretty amazing..
Torrealba was just starting to roll and he was facing Heath Bell who had only blown one save all season. The game was in San Diego and the crowd was into the game. I was listening on my radio while driving through the Nevada desert as Yorvit won the game. I woke up everyone in the car and swerved across three lanes with enthusiastic yelling. It felt like I hit the Jackpot as we were entering Las Vegas.
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It's funny
That was the only road game I could find to nominate from the 09 season. I think the whole list is going to have about 80 to 90 percent home games.
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 1, 2009 12:08 PM MST up reply actions
I was at game 162 in '07
It was the only game I went to that year as I live in WA. The combination of Ubaldo’s gem (9 Ks through 4, no hitter into the 6th, ended up giving up 1 run on 1 hit through 6.1), scoreboard watching the Padres-Brewers game, the fact that it was really close, and Corpas allllllmost blowing the save, but coming through at the end made it probably the second best game I’ve ever been at (after the ‘95 clincher). There are probably going to be a lot of games from ’07 and ’09, but that’s as it should be.
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 10:05 AM MST reply actions
Where were your seats for that game?
I was Club level behind 3B. I’ve never been to a game with as much emotion as that one. Every time the Brewers scored the fans would go crazy.
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I was on the bottom level
Behind first. My mom wanted me to be able to see a few throws from Tulo. That was an incredibly emotional game. It got to the point where the scoreboard operators in right wouldn’t update the Padres score except between innings. But there were still scattered cheers from people with radios and those near them.
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 4:29 PM MST up reply actions
I was on the left field line
About halfway between third and wall and maybe twenty rows off the field. I got a hat thrown to me, but it was green and featured a King Soopers logo on the back.
Ooh, just remembered a good one
Josh Fogg’s gem against the Mariners. He faced the minimum (2 H, 1 BB, but all were wiped off by DPs). I even got to watch it since it was against the Mariners. I cannot give you a good reason that I didn’t attend. Hey, it’s not only a game from a year besides ‘07 or ’09, but it’s also a road game.
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 2:16 PM MST reply actions
That's a good one
I’ll make sure it’s on the list.
You like games from June 30th don’t you :-)
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 1, 2009 3:06 PM MST up reply actions
that's my berfday
Winners never quit, and quitters never win. But if you never quit *and* never win, you are an idiot
Just to reinforce that I like great pitching performances
I’ll add Aaron Cook’s ridiculous 74-pitch game from ’07.
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 3:55 PM MST reply actions
But was it more impressive than
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 1, 2009 4:17 PM MST up reply actions
Oops link fail
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/COL/COL200807010.shtml
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 1, 2009 4:18 PM MST up reply actions
I was thinking about bringing that one up also
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 4:31 PM MST up reply actions
But it happened on July 1st
A day too late for me
by controlled_slide on Dec 1, 2009 4:33 PM MST up reply actions
Top 5 Games to Consider:
-Game 163, 2007: Enough Said.
-Game 151, September 18, 2007: Rockies beat Dodgers 9-8 on Helldog’s walk off again Saito.
-Game 87, July 4, 2008: Rockies beat Marlins 18-17. Rockies trailed 7-1 after first inning and a half, cut it to 7-4, go down 13-4 after three and a half, 13-12 after sixth, 17-16 after seventh, score 2 two runs on four hits and an error in the 9th off Kevin Gregg. 2 HR by Holliday (including a grand slam in the 7) and Spilly, HR by Atkins and Ianetta.
-Game 125, August 24, 2009: Rockies beat Giants 6-4 on 14th inning walk off G Slam by Spilly
-Game 15, April 17 2008: Rockies beat Padres 2-1 in 22 innings at Petco
I think its safe to say they will all be on the list
It’s just a matter of how high
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 3, 2009 4:44 PM MST up reply actions
Because I seem to have taken over this thread
2002, the year that they changed the interleague format from West-plays-West, Central-plays-Central and East-plays-East to rotating the divisions that play each other. So the NL West got the AL East and the defending AL champ Yankees, with that particular series to be played at Coors Field. The Yankees took the first two games handily, 10-5 and (gulp) 20-10. The third game was looking to be more of the same as the Rockies fell behind 7-1 to Roger Clemens by the 5th inning. I was at the game, and at this point someone behind me said that the Rockies were “just outclassed”, as if organizational classiness was the determining factor of winning percentage. Then, in the bottom of the 5th, a line shot from Juan Pierre off of Clemens’ leg forced him to take an early shower, and the Rockies pulled to 7-2. The Yankees got the run right back in the 6th…and then the Rockies exploded, pouring on hit after hit, culminating with a loud grand slam by Todd Hollandsworth off of the back of the bullpen wall.
After the rubble cleared, the Rockies were up 2. Then, after trading a couple more runs, the Yankees stormed back to tie it in the 9th. In the bottom of the 10th, Walker and Helton got quick back-to-back singles with no outs to put men on 1st and 3rd. With the outfield drawn way in, Todd Zeile launched one to left. Without even looking at the flight of the ball, the Yankees outfielders hung their heads and trudged dejectedly in. Watching it, I thought that the ball might one-hop the wall, or possibly bounce off of it, but no, it sailed just over the left field fence for a walk-off 3-run home run.
Anyway, I think it belongs on the list. First win against the Yankees and all. Plus, who doesn’t like walk-off home runs?
by controlled_slide on Dec 3, 2009 4:00 PM MST reply actions
Welcome to the Row
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 3, 2009 4:53 PM MST up reply actions
That one made the list of nominations
as did the game from the following day. Those were the first two Rockies games I ever paid attention to from start to finish.
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 3, 2009 4:48 PM MST up reply actions
Just out of curiosity
Why are you a Rockies fan? You seem to be from the Northeast, and you started following the Rockies in ’02; why then? Have you ever lived in Colorado? Have you ever been to a Rockies home game?
Because you can’t tell tone on the internet, I’m not being accusatory.
by controlled_slide on Dec 3, 2009 5:01 PM MST up reply actions
My family actually consists Red Sox fans
As you might imagine, one of the staples of being a Red Sox fan is hating the Yankees and vigorously rooting against them. I remember watching this game and being so happy that the Rockies had such an amazing victory against the Yankees that I adopted them as my NL team. It wasn’t instant but I liked the NL style of play better (no DH), I Iiked that they were in the NL West so they were on at a different time than the east coast games and I never had to worry about them playing the AL east. I also liked their ballpark (I never appreciated a good pitchers duel when I was younger) That’s where my love for the Rockies started and it grew from there.
For a few years I liked the Red Sox and the Rockies but as time went by I just started to see the Red Sox as a mini version of the Yankees; and started to realize that I hated the Yankees more than I liked the Red Sox. The 06 offseadon when the Red Sox signed Lugo, Drew, and paid a $51 million posting fee just to talk to Matsuzaka was the last straw for me. At that point I said that I would no longer root for the Red Sox other than for them to beat the Yankees. (I just don’t get as much satisfaction from watching a team win if they just bought all of their players. Watching prospects develop is more fun and rewarding) Then after the 07 World series when Red Sox fans, who think of themselves as the greatest in baseball coulndn’t name five people on the Rockies roster it put me on the fast track to hating them.
Also I can’t remember during what season it was but the Red Sox had this show called Sox Appeal that was basically a dating gameshow game at Fenway Park. While the first month they had this beauty on the air they actually put it between the games and the post game show. Forcing this garbage down my throat pissed me off to no end.
To answer your other questions above, I have never been to a Rockies game (but I’ve watched almost every game they have played in the last four or five years), I have never lived in Colorado and in fact I have never been to Colorado. I’ve been in every state east of the Mississippi River but I have never been able to go to Colorado. I want to go though.
I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 3, 2009 5:54 PM MST up reply actions
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