The best moments from Larry Walker weekend

The weekend against the Giants didn’t quite go how Rockies fans would have wanted but off the field, it was everything anyone could have hoped for. In one of the biggest moments in franchise history, the Colorado Rockies forever retired Hall of Famer Larry Walker’s number 33.

Not only was it a celebration of arguably the best player to ever put on a Rockies uniform, but it was a celebration of the fact that the Rockies are finally represented in Cooperstown. It’s also just the second time ever that the Rockies retire a number. That all set up quite the celebratory event. Let’s recap the weekend with the best moments from it all and celebrate Walker’s legacy one more time.

The land of the three and the home of the other three

The number three has never before been as present in Denver as it was all weekend. Fans dusted off their old 33 jerseys, a massive 33 was cut into the outfield and painted in foul territory, 33’s were constantly shown on every LED display at Coors Field, it was everywhere you (or the camera) could have turned. As a big believer in his connection to the number three, we can be sure Larry Walker wouldn’t have had it any other way. Even the balls used in Saturday’s contest featured a special touch.

These kinds of things are small details but they go to show the effort put into this celebration by the Rockies and how much Walker means to them. Especially now that he’s become the first player ever to be enshrined as a member of the Rockies. He represents the best of the Rockies on a historical scale of the sport and it seemed like the Rockies spared no effort in ensuring Walker understood that.

Hearing others talk about Walker

One of the best ways to get to know someone not only as a player but as a person is to listen to those that have been around them talk about them. It’s not just what they’ll say about them that will get you closer to understanding the person, it’s how they say it.

Over the weekend, plenty of former teammates, coaches, executives, etc. spoke fondly of Walker but they also spoke with much admiration and sincerity in describing Walker’s greatness through their eyes. Pedro Martinez and Eric Young Jr. have praised Walker for his incredible baseball instincts, Todd Helton has previously called him the best athlete he’s ever played with and original Rockies GM Bob Gebhard cited Walker’s willingness to work hard as the reason for his success.

That all paints a wonderful picture of Walker as an athlete and a person but to understand what he’s meant and continues to mean as a Rockies icon you have to go to the fans. One of my favorite parts of Larry Walker weekend was seeing the reactions from fans on Twitter and reading personal stories, connections and descriptions of what the Hall of Famer meant to them.

The unveiling

While that’s all heartfelt and dandy, the main event was to see the number 33 up in the rafters where it belongs right next to number 17. After a series of speeches and a tribute video, the moment everyone was waiting for finally arrived.

What a sight it still is to see that number 33 so prominently outlined by a gold ring signifying his position in Cooperstown. Walker’s 33 will now sit in right center field for generations to come. It’ll even outlast Coors Field once it runs its age. Wherever it stands in the decades to come, Walker’s legacy will now forever live on.

“We have a plaque at Cooperstown”

Finally, the most impactful moment of the entire weekend was when we heard directly from the Hall of Famer. While Walker has previously said that public speaking is “not my gig,” Walker spoke very eloquently and humbly as he recognized the significance of being the first to be enshrined at Cooperstown as a Rockies player. The most powerful moment came when he spoke directly to Rockies fans and explained to them how they should view his Hall of Fame plaque.

Couldn’t have been said any better Mr. Walker. Congratulations to him and to Rockies fans everywhere, you’re all finally at Cooperstown with Walker just as his 33 hangs now forever alongside you.

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On the farm

Triple-A: Reno Aces 7, Albuquerque Isotopes 6

In New Mexico, the Isotopes blew a one run lead in the ninth to give the Aces their first win of the series yesterday. Justin Lawrence was given the loss (his fifth this year) and the blown save (his sixth this year) when he gave up a two run blast to the Aces’ Cooper Hummel. Greg Bird went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and four total RBI’s. Ryan Vilade also had a three hit game while hitting leadoff in this one. In the end, the three errors committed by the Isotopes (Elehuris Montero had two in the first inning, allowing one run in) would come back to haunt them.

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