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+====== Colorado Rockies ======
+===== Mile High Baseball =====
+The Colorado Rockies were an expansion team, joining Major League Baseball in 1993 along with the Florida Marlins, awarded to Denver as part of MLB's expansion efforts. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/rockies-marlins-expansion-anniversary-303090090|MLB.com]])]
+===== Highest Home Field =====
+Coors Field, the Rockies' home ballpark, sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,609 meters), making it the highest elevated stadium in Major League Baseball. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/ballpark/altitude|MLB.com]])]
+===== The Purple Row =====
+A distinct row of purple seats encircles Coors Field at the exact 5,280-foot elevation mark, serving as a visual reminder of the ballpark's unique altitude. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/ballpark/altitude|MLB.com]])]
+===== Altitude Advantage =====
+The thin air at Coors Field is known to benefit hitters, generally leading to higher batting averages and more home runs compared to league averages due to reduced air resistance. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/news/rockies-park-factors-explained/c-267563200|MLB.com]])]
+===== First Winning Season =====
+Colorado achieved its first non-losing season in the strike-shortened 1994 campaign (73-71) and followed it with their first full winning season in 1995 (74-70). [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/history.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== 1995 Playoffs =====
+The Rockies made their first postseason appearance in 1995, clinching the National League Wild Card spot just three seasons after their inception. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/history/timeline|Colorado Rockies Official Site]])]
+===== NLDS Heartbreak =====
+Their inaugural 1995 NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves ended dramatically in Game 4 on a walk-off home run by the Braves' Marquis Grissom. [([[https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/150919104|ESPN]])]
+===== The Big Cat =====
+Andres Galarraga, nicknamed "The Big Cat," had a stellar 1996 season for the Rockies, hitting .305 with 47 home runs and 150 RBIs, earning NL Comeback Player of the Year honors. [([[https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1996/B05210COL1996.htm|Retrosheet]])]
+===== Larry Walker MVP =====
+Canadian outfielder Larry Walker captured the 1997 National League MVP award, leading the league with a .366 batting average, 49 home runs, and 130 RBIs. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/history/greats/walker-larry|Colorado Rockies Official Site]])]
+===== 1998 All-Star Game =====
+Colorado hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the first time in 1998 at the newly opened Coors Field. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-all-star-game-history-1998/c-266544780|MLB.com]])]
+===== 2007 Rocktober =====
+The Rockies captivated the fanbase in late 2007, winning 14 of their final 17 regular-season games to clinch the NL Wild Card, igniting the "Rocktober" celebration. [([[https://rockies.sbnation.com/2013/10/23/4870784/the-2007-colorado-rockies-a-miracle-season|SB Nation]])]
+===== Unlikely Pennant =====
+The 2007 Rockies completed a remarkable turnaround, going from 18 games under .500 in September to winning the National League pennant by sweeping the Phillies and Diamondbacks in the playoffs. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/history/milestones/rocktober-2007|MLB.com]])]
+===== World Series Sweep =====
+The team's magical 2007 "Rocktober" run ended in the World Series, where they were swept 4 games to 0 by the eventual champion Boston Red Sox. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2007.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Helton's Loyalty =====
+Todd Helton spent his entire 17-year MLB playing career (1997-2013) with the Colorado Rockies, establishing himself as the franchise's greatest player. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/heltoto01.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Helton's Average =====
+Helton retired with a career .316 batting average, the highest average for any player who spent their entire career with the Rockies franchise. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/heltoto01.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Ubaldo's Gem =====
+Pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Rockies franchise history on April 17, 2010, against the Houston Astros. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/ubaldo-jimenez-throws-franchise-no-hitter/mlb-u-164065472|MLB.com]])]
+===== Gray's No-Hitter =====
+Jon Gray pitched the second no-hitter in franchise history on April 23, 2021, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers with 10 strikeouts. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/jon-gray-throws-no-hitter-against-dodgers/c-323844964|MLB.com]])]
+===== Marquez's Gem =====
+Germán Márquez tossed the third no-hitter in Rockies history on September 30, 2022, striking out 11 Cardinals. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/german-marquez-throws-no-hitter-vs-cardinals/c-337130326|MLB.com]])]
+===== Arenado's Arrival =====
+Nolan Arenado, drafted 59th overall by the Rockies in 2009, rapidly developed into one of baseball's elite defensive third basemen. [([[https://www.hardballtimes.com/the-rockies-draft-history-under-dan-odonnell-and-bill-geivett/|The Hardball Times]])]
+===== Eight Gold Gloves =====
+Arenado earned eight consecutive Gold Glove awards from his first full season in 2013 through 2020, showcasing exceptional defense at third base. [([[https://www.sabr.org/bioproj/person/nolan-arenado/|SABR]])]
+===== Arenado Traded =====
+Despite his immense success, Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in February 2021 as part of a significant offseason deal. [([[https://apnews.com/article/sports-colorado-rockies-baseball-transactions-st-louis-cardinals-a633490f94619b36c435c262f3c5f359|Associated Press]])]
+===== Holliday's Impact =====
+Matt Holliday won the 2007 National League batting title with a .340 average and finished second in the MVP voting during the team's "Rocktober" run. [([[https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=hollima01|Baseball Almanac]])]
+===== Freeland's Hometown =====
+Denver native Kyle Freeland pitched the fourth no-hitter in Rockies franchise history on September 9, 2017, against the Minnesota Twins. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/rockies-freeland-throws-no-hitter-vs-twins/c-254887536|MLB.com]])]
+===== The "Purple Power" =====
+The team's iconic purple home uniforms, adopted in the early 2000s, have become a lasting symbol of the franchise's identity and fan engagement. [([[https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/03/01/colorado-rockies-uniforms-purple-mountain-majesty|Sports Illustrated]])]
+===== Dachshund Races =====
+Coors Field hosts the popular "Mutt Runs" during Sunday home games, featuring entertaining races between canine contestants during the seventh-inning stretch. [([[https://www.westword.com/sports/colorado-rockies-mutt-run-dog-races-at-coors-field-11776817|Westword]])]
+===== Early Team Name =====
+Before settling on the "Rockies," franchise founders considered names like the Colorado Stars, Pioneers, and Cougars during the selection process. [([[https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Colorado-Rockies-1894111.php|San Francisco Chronicle]])]
+===== Davenport's Founding =====
+Jerry Davenport was instrumental in securing the Denver franchise rights in 1991, paving the way for the team's eventual MLB debut. [([[https://www.denverpost.com/2013/04/26/rockies-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-first-game/|The Denver Post]])]
+===== Monfort Ownership =====
+The ownership group is currently led by Charles and Linda Monfort, who took full control of the team in 2005. [([[https://www.forbes.com/teams/colorado-rockies/|Forbes]])]
+===== Coors Naming Rights =====
+Coors Brewing Company secured the original ballpark naming rights in 1995, maintaining a long-standing partnership that has kept the stadium named Coors Field. [([[https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2019/04/29/mlb-team-values-2019-rockies-25th-in-all-sports/#5f59a80225c6|Forbes]])]
+===== Attendance Record =====
+The Rockies established an MLB record for attendance for an expansion team's inaugural season, drawing over 4 million fans in 1993. [([[https://www.coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/colorado-rockies|Colorado Encyclopedia]])]
+===== Vinny Castilla =====
+Vinny Castilla was a beloved early star at third base, representing the Rockies in two All-Star games during his impactful tenure in the late 1990s and early 2000s. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castlvi01.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== First Manager =====
+Don Baylor served as the inaugural manager for the Colorado Rockies, leading the team from their debut season in 1993 through 1998. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/bayledo01.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Franchise Four =====
+Larry Walker, Todd Helton, Nolan Arenado, and DJ LeMahieu were honored as the Rockies' "Franchise Four" in a fan vote conducted in 2014. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/franchise_4.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== LeMahieu's Batting Title =====
+DJ LeMahieu won the National League batting title in 2016, posting a .348 batting average for the Rockies. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lemahedj01.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== First Pitcher Wins =====
+The Rockies' first win of the inaugural 1993 season was credited to pitcher Doug Henry, who got the victory in their 10th game of the year. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/rockies-first-win-came-in-10th-game/c-224095186|MLB.com]])]
+===== First Hit =====
+The first hit in Colorado Rockies franchise history belonged to outfielder Alex Cole, who singled on April 5, 1993. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/1993.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== First Home Run =====
+Andres Galarraga hit the first home run in Colorado Rockies franchise history on Opening Day, April 5, 1993. [([[https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1993/B04050COL1993.htm|Retrosheet]])]
+===== Famous Trade =====
+The Rockies traded star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, a franchise cornerstone, to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2015. [([[https://www.mlb.com/news/rockies-trade-troy-tulowitzki-to-blue-jays/c-137418238|MLB.com]])]
+===== Number Retirement =====
+The Rockies have officially retired only one player number in their history: 17, honoring franchise icon Todd Helton. [([[https://www.mlb.com/rockies/history/numbers|Colorado Rockies Official Site]])]
+===== Pitching Ace =====
+Although known for offense, the Rockies have featured strong pitching seasons, including Ubaldo Jimenez's 2010 Cy Young runner-up campaign. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2010.shtml#NL_CYA|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Career Home Run Leader =====
+Todd Helton holds the franchise record for career home runs with 369, significantly more than any other Rockies player. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/leaders.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Walker's Accolades =====
+Larry Walker, in addition to his MVP, won three batting titles, seven Gold Gloves, and three Silver Slugger awards during his Hall of Fame-caliber career. [([[https://www.hardballtimes.com/larry-walker-a-hall-of-fame-case/|The Hardball Times]])]
+===== Longest Playoff Drought =====
+After their 2007 NL Pennant, the Rockies endured a decade-long playoff drought, not returning to the postseason until 2017. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/post.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== CarGo's Batting Title =====
+Carlos Gonzalez captured the 2010 National League batting title with a .336 average, becoming the first Rockies player to win the award. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzaca02.shtml|Baseball-Reference.com]])]
+===== Larry Walker's Home Run Power =====
+Larry Walker hit 163 home runs at Coors Field, significantly benefiting from the altitude and hitter-friendly environment, with many of his career-best power seasons occurring in Colorado. [([[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=walkela01&t=b&year=all|Baseball-Reference.com]])]

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