This was undoubtedly the most memorable week in Rockies history so far.  In addition to the Rockies all time record being a more respectable .500, this week also features what is still one of the greatest games ever played a Coors Field.  Let's jump right into it.

Rockies All Time Record This Week

Best Games This Week

There were so many to choose from but I had to narrow it down to just five.

April 26, 1995 (Mets) (11-9 in 14 innings)

It's not often that an event hyped as much as the Coors Field opener lives up to expectations; it's even rarer however when these expectations are exceeded.  But that's exactly what happened with the Coors Field opener as the Rockies christened their new home with an unforgettable win.  Colorado trailed in the 9th, 13th, and 14th innings but managed to pull out the win as Larry Walker and Jim Tatum hit game tying doubles and Dante Bichette hit the walk off bomb.  This truly was a remarkable game.    

April 29, 1995 (Astros) (2-1)

While there doesn't seem to anything too significant about this 2-1 win in Houston, it did improve the Rockies record to 4-0 and elevated them into first place alone for the first time in club history.

April 27, 1996 (Expos) (6-5 in 13 innings)

The Rockies had a lot of success against the Expos in their April history and this week was no exception.  Ellis Burks proved to be the hero in this game as he hit the game winning single in the 13th.

April 30, 1998 (@Mets) (4-0)

With heavy hearts, we remember Darryl Kile's complete game, 120 pitch shutout against the Mets.  It was one of 28 complete games Kile pitched in his career.   

April 29, 2007 (Braves) (9-7 in 11 innings)

This game must have really broke John Kruk's heart.  The craziness started in the 7th inning when Troy Tulowitzki turned a Chipper Jones line drive into an unassisted triple play to keep the game tied at five.  (Although this was largely luck, it served as just another reason why Tulo's 2007 season was so magical defensively)  Despite the defensive heroics however, the Rockies still needed to score two in the 9th to send the game to extras and set up a walk off two run home run off the bat of Matt Holliday in the 11th.

Worst Games this Week

For the most part, this week has spared the Rockies of completely gut wrenching defeats; however 2008 was a major exception as the Rockies went on the road trip from hell. 

Act I

April 25, 2008 (Dodgers) (8-7 in 13 innings)

The Rockies start the road trip by losing on a Russell Martin sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 13th inning.

Act II

April 26, 2008 (Dodgers) (11-3)

If you think the final score of this game looks bad, it was much, much worse.  Mark Redman gave up ten first inning runs!!!!

Act III

April 27, 2008 (Dodgers) (3-2 in 10 innings)

In this game the Rockies wasted a beautiful outing by Jeff Francis and lost on a James Loney single in the 10th off Manny Corpas.

Act IV

April 28, 2008 (Giants) (4-0)

Despite eight hits, five walks, and 170 pitches throw by the Giants staff, the Rockies can't muster a single run and are consequently shut out in San Francisco.

Act V

April 29, 2008 (Giants) (Rockies win 3-2)

Oddly, the only game the Rockies won on this road trip may have been the most painful of all.  It was on this awful night that the Rockies lost Tulo to a left quadriceps tear that would wreck his 2008 season.  (Watching that video still gives me nightmares)  

Act VI

April 30, 2008 (Giants) (3-2)

Lose the series to the Giants, fall to 11-17 on the season, and drop nine games off the division lead.  Rocktober now seemed like a distant memory.  

Notable Debuts

Larry Walker (April 26, 1995) - In one of the most memorable debuts in Rockies history, Larry Walker went 3-7 with three RBI's including a game tying double in the bottom of the 9th that help the Rockies win the Coors field opener.

Brad Hawpe (May 1, 2004) - Hawpe made his presence felt immediately after being called up from the minors.  He appeared in both games of a double header on this day and went a combined 4-5 with a home run. 

Other News worth Noting

Clint Hurdle becomes the Rockies forth manager (April 26, 2002) -  After a dreadful 6-16 start to the season, the Rockies fired manager Buddy Bell and promoted Clint Hurdle to the managerial position.  Ironically, Hurdle would lose his job seven years later for the same reason.

Birthdays

Darren Holmes (April 25, 1966) - Pitched five seasons for the Rockies as a reliever and enjoyed quite a bit of success.  His best season came in 1995 when he saved 14 games and helped lead the Rockies to the playoffs. 

John Vander Wal (April 29, 1966) - While Vander Wal also spent five seasons with the Rockies, he wasn't quite as good.  Perhaps he will be best remembered for failing to take advantage of the pre humidor hitter's paradise that Colorado was in the 1990's.  His BA/OBP/OPS with the Rockies were .262/.349/.794 compared to his career line of .261/.351/.792.  Weird huh?   

J.R. Phillips (April 29, 1970) - Phillips hit just .231 in 25 games with the Rockies in 1999 and would never play in another major league game again after this season.

Rafael Betancourt (April 29, 1975) - A fact that some of you may not know about Betancourt is that he is one of the only pitchers to have the 12 second rule called against him.  While pitching for Cleveland in 2007 against the Tigers, Betancourt took so long to deliver a pitch that the umpire ruled it a ball before it was ever thrown.   

Ryan Hawblitzel (April 30, 1971) -  If you remember Ryan Hawblitzel, then you are one dedicated Rockies fan.  Hawblitzel's entire major league career lasted just eight games in the summer of 1996.

Armando Reynoso (May 1, 1966) - Another player who spent time with the Rockies in the mid 1990's; Reynoso could most recently been seen playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Bobby Chouinard (May 1, 1972) - The only player the Rockies have ever had from the Philippians spent two seasons in Colorado in 2000 and 2001.