Rising High With the New Colorado Rockies
In 1993, the New Colorado Rockies joined the National League of baseball. Of course, as is often the case for expansion teams, the Rockies struggled their first year. To date they have earned three wild card berths and one National League Pennant. They have appeared in the post season three times, but lost their one World Series to the Boston Red Sox.
Despite their short time in the league, the New Colorado Rockies are no strangers to controversy. In 2006, it was publicized that the team was running under some very Christian values, including the banning of men’s adult magazines and sexually explicit music. Many people showed disapproval of the rules while players for the team made public their dislike of the article, saying that it was misleading.
Their second controversy came the very next year when the Rockies decided at the last minute to sell tickets for their World Series appearance exclusively online. Tickets were on sale for just a few hours when they were stopped because of overwhelming demand.
When they were put back on sale, they sold out within hours. Many local fans were unhappy with this decision as some did not have internet access and many tickets were snapped up by scalpers. Prices were highly inflated within hours of the game selling out.
During their first two years, the New Colorado Rockies were tenants of Mile High Stadium in Denver Colorado, however in 1995 the team moved to their own arena, Coors Field. With 63 luxury suites and 4,500 Club seats, the stadium seats more than 50,000 fans for game days.
Construction of the field uncovered many dinosaur bones including a 1,000 pound triceratops skull, giving birth to the Rockies new mascot, Dinger. Coors Field was the only stadium with an underground heating system, and is the first all baseball park in the National League since Dodgers Stadium was constructed in 1962.
In the community, the New Colorado Rockies are active in helping underprivileged youth in their area. The Rockies Foundation focuses on helping kids stay off drugs and alcohol, and achieve in school. It also runs youth baseball programs. The Rockies Charity Fund also focuses on these important areas. Aside from the team’s charities, players and staff also participate in local efforts at improvement of the community and the lives of the less fortunate residents of Colorado.
Fans of the New Colorado Rockies have a lot to be thankful for in their team. Despite their short time in the league, the team has managed to make it to the post season several times, benefit their community through their charity work, and overall improve the quality of life for residents throughout their community. They also play a great game of baseball, entertaining their fans of every age and preference.
