2009 Colorado Rockies

 The Colorado Rockies are coming off the worst season in their history, where they threatened the 2024 Chicago White Sox for the worst record in history. It also marked the 3rd straight season they hit 100+ losses, which is bad considering that they never posted a 100 win season, won a World Series or ever won their division before. Perhaps it's better to look back to a better time in the franchise...

After their inspired run to the 2007 World Series, the Rockies had fallen off a bit with a 74 win 3rd place showing in 2008. Clint Hurdle was back to manage the team as they started 2009 on a dismal run, losing 28 of their first 48 games and seemingly on their way to another lost season. Hurdle was shown the door and Bench Coach Jim Tracy was promoted to the Manager spot to try to turn things around.

The change in leadership helped push the Rockies to make a run, as they went on a tear and put themselves back into the pennant chase and catch up to the club record of 90 wins that they set in their 2007 pennant season. When the season ended they sat at 92-70, the best regular season in franchise history. They were 3 games short of catching the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division, but they were 4 games better than the San Francisco Giants to claim the Wild Card. For orchestrating an amazing turnaround, Tracy would win Manager of the Year.  

The NLDS was not promising to be easy, as Colorado began against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. Game 1 saw Philly Starter Cliff Lee overwhelm the Rockies offense, but in Game 2 the Rockies took an early lead and held off a Phillies rally to tie the series up 1-1 as they headed west to Denver.

Game 3 was postponed in the most Rockies way possible: snow accumulation and gametime temperatures below freezing. The next night saw the Rockies lose a back and forth battle 5-4, putting them a loss away from elimination. Game 4 was a low scoring affair early until the Rockies exploded with a 3 run 8th inning to take a 4-2 lead into the 9th. The Phillies wouldn't go down easy as Ryan Howard belted a game tying 2 run double with 2 outs off Huston Street, and scored on the following single to give the Phillies a 5-4 edge that the Rockies couldn't respond to, ending Colorado's season.

After helping to lead the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, Tulowitzki was ready to take the mantle of Colorado's star in 2009. His 32 Home Runs and 92 RBI led the team. His overall numbers helped him finish 5th for the MVP.

Despite being diagnosed with a degenerative back condition a year prior, Helton wasn't ready to be mediocre as he put up 177 Hits and a .325 Average to lead the Rockies hitters. He'd check off a couple of milestones in 2009 with his 2,000th Hit and 500th Double.

Hawpe would make his lone all star team in 2009 as his 143 Hits and 86 RBI kept pace with the teams best.

The rest of the starting lineup. Fowler led the team with 27 Stolen Bases in his rookie campaign.

Off the bench. Fun fact: Eric Young Jr's father was apart of the original Colorado Rockies team in 1993. Carlos Gonzalez, meanwhile, is showing signs of his star potential that would be known better in 2010 and beyond.

Staff ace Ubaldo Jimenez led the rotation with a 3.47 ERA and 198 Strikeouts in 218 Innings. He had the unenviable task of squaring off against Cliff Lee in the NLDS, losing the pitchers duel in Game 1 and getting a no decision in Game 4.

De La Rosa would lead the Rockies with 16 Wins, 1 better than Marquis and Jimenez. His 193 Strikeouts came close to Jimenez's team leading total as well.

Farther down the rotation. Aaron Cook had his own rough assignment in the NLDS, facing previous WS MVP Cole Hamels, but he would prevail and be the Rockies only winner in the series.

2009 was an up and down year for Street. He won the Closer's job out of spring training, but a poor start lost him the spot. He'd eventually get it back and go on to get 35 Saves.

Various Relievers. Good to see a few guys from the Showdown era still hanging around.

Jason Marquis rode a red hot first half into his only all star selection, but he still had one more notable accomplishment to attain in 2009. By making the playoffs with the Rockies, it made Marquis the first player in history to make the playoffs in each of his first 10 seasons while playing for at least three different teams (2000-2003 Atlanta Braves, 2004-2006 St. Louis Cardinals, 2007-2008 Chicago Cubs, 2009 Colorado Rockies) although he didn't pitch in all 10 postseasons. 2009 would be the final postseason he would pitch in though.