This Week in Rockies History (April 4 - April 10)

Hey fellow Robots, I'm going to try something a little bit different.  I'm going to post a weekly fanpost about all the stuff that happened in Rockies history for the upcoming week.  I'll do my best to cover as much as possible and then you folks can read it and share old Rockies memories you had of these games with the Row.  If you think I missed something please just leave it in the comments.  Also, if you want something covered weekly, just leave a suggestion in the comments and I'll see what I can do.  So without further delay here's the premire if the "This Week in Rockies History".  Enjoy!!!

Rockies All Time Record This Week

The Rockies all time winning percentage is .476 while it's just .449 for this week so that idea about the Rockies getting off to slow starts isn't a myth.

Best Games This Week

April 9, 1993 (Rockies 11, Expos 4) - While this was technically the third game the Rockies played in during their inaugural season, the home opener at Mile High Stadium is undoubtedly what most Colorado fans point to as the birth of Rockies baseball.  More specifically, the instant Eric Young's home run landed beyond the left field fence is the moment most Colorado fans would point to as the birth of Rockies baseball. Not only was this home run emblematic of the brand of pre-humidor baseball fans would grow accustomed to a mile above sea level, but it also served as the "we've arrived moment" for Rockies fans.  It didn't matter that the Rockies had lost the first two games of the season to the Mets, it didn't matter that the team was probably going to be terrible that year, all that mattered at that moment was that there was baseball in Colorado.  I'm sure every Rockies fan who watched this game can tell you exactly where they were when they saw Eric Young hit a home run in the first ever Rockies home at bat in team history.  It was just one of those moments that was well, perfect.  Even though this game had other memorable aspects including Bryn Smith's seven shutout innings and Colorado fans breaking the all time single game attendance record with 80,227 people on hand, this game will forever be remembered for the Eric Young home run.     

April10, 1996 (Rockies 10, Cubs 9) - It wasn't just one thing that made this game awesome; it was a combination.  Mix coming from five runs down in  the third inning, a one run margin of victory, scoring double digit runs, beating the annoying Cubs, and late inning heroics from the big bats of Larry Walker and Andres Galarraga who  hit 8th inning doubles to knock in the tying and winning runs and you have yourself one memorable game.  

April 4, 2005 (Rockies 12, Padres 10) - The rookie shortstop we now know as our everyday second baseman came to the plate in the 9th inning with two on and two out and the Rockies down by one in a game they had led by four runs on two different occasions.  As you might imagine, it didn't take Clint Barmes long to find a pitch he liked.  Barmes swung at the first pitch he saw and sent it high and deep into the outfield seats to give to Rockies a dramatic 12-10 walk off win on opening day.  Rockies fans would have to enjoy this one however as the team would go on to lose their next eight games in a row en route to their worst season ever.

April 3, 2007 (Rockies 4, D'Backs 3 in 11 innings) - Despite being a career .194 hitter in April, Troy Tulowitzki didn't take very long to give us a glimpse of his awesomeness.  Tulo responded to Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew's two out RBI single in the top of the 11th inning with a two out RBI double in the bottom of the 11th inning that tied the game at three.  He would score the game winning run later in the inning when Chad Tracy couldn't handle a Chris Iannetta grounder.   

Other Games Worth Noting

April 4, 1999 (Rockies 8, Padres 2) - This contest wasn't so much about the game itself but rather where it was being played.  For the first time ever, Major League baseball held a game outside of the United States or Canada as the Rockies beat the Padres 8-2 in Monterey, Mexico.

April 10, 2003 (Rockies 7, Cardinals 6) - This game featured the Rockies first ever triple play.  With runners on first and second in the top of the 6th inning, Orlando Palmeiro smoked a line drive that was snared by Todd Helton for out number one; Helton then fired the ball over to shortstop Jose Hernandez who quickly stepped on second base to force out Scott Rolen for out number two and tagged Tino Martinez to complete the triple play.  

Major Transactions and Signings

April 8, 1995 - Larry Walker signs with the Rockies marking the beginning of a ten season run he would have with the team.  During his time in Colorado, Walker would hit .334, club 258 home runs, and win the National League MVP award in 1997.

April 5, 2009 - The Rockies trade prospect Aneury Rodriguez for starter Jason Hammel.

Birthdays

Mark Strittmatter (April 4, 1969) - If you don't remember him don't feel bad; he played in just four career major league games as a September call up in 1998.

Ross Gload (April 5, 1976) - While his time of the Rockies was short he did make it into 26 games in 2002.

Jorge De La Rosa (April 5, 1981) - Since you already know about Jorge De La Rosa, I'll tell you something you may not know. De La Rosa was involved in the Curt Schilling to the Red Sox trade on November 28, 2003.  That's right rowbots, both the Red Sox and the D'Backs could have had this guy.  Doesn't that just make you love De La Rosa just a little bit more?

Ian Stewart (April 5, 1985) - 2010 will be remembered as his breakout year.  Book It!!!!

Blaine Neil (April 6, 1978) - Relief pitcher for the Rockies who threw just 14.2 innings as a member of the team in 2005 and posted a 6.14 ERA.

Freddie Benavides (April 7, 1966) - Not much of a career but you may remember him as one of the guys on the 1993 opening day roster.

Mark Thompson (April 7, 1971) - Thompson pitched five seasons for the Rockies from 1994 through 1998 and none of them were very good.

Ronnie Belliard (April 7, 1975) - Journey man infielder who now plays for the enemy did spend a season in the purple back in 2003.

Ben Petrick (April 7, 1977) - Petrick bounced around between Coors Field and Colorado Springs between 1999 and 2002 and at times even show some promise.  His ability to become an everyday Major Leaguer however never materialized.

Pete Walker (April 8, 1969) - Walker played in just three game for the Rockies in 2000 and posted a 17.36 ERA.  I think that's all you need to know about him.

Chris Iannetta (April 8, 1983) - My fellow Rhode Islander has had quite an interesting career thus far wouldn't' you say?  He's a Saber darling, he's dreamy, he signed an extension this offseason, he's probably the greatest Rockies catcher of all time, and then of course there was the catcher war last fall.

Marvin Freeman (April 10, 1963) - Freeman's time as a Rockie will certainly be remembered most for what he did in strike shortened 1994 season.  He finished 4th in the Cy Young race that year as he posted an amazing 2.80 ERA a mile above sea level. I wonder what his FIP would have been?