2009 Colorado Rockies: Still Rocking

2009 Colorado Rockies: Still Rocking

From Rocktober to a Managerial Change

Only two years removed from their remarkable run to the 2007 World Series, a run that would be nicknamed “Rocktober,” the Colorado Rockies were looking to keep their momentum going. Though they hit a speed bump in 2008, going 74-88, the 2009 Colorado Rockies would rebound the following year. In the process, however, the Rockies had to make some moves in order to improve as a team. One important move was a changing of the guard at manager, as Clint Hurdle was fired after leading the Rockies to only an 18-28 start. His replacement, Jim Tracy, would guide the Rockies to a 74-42 record the rest of the way.

A Wild Card Season

The 2009 Colorado Rockies went 92-70, finishing just three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West title but four games ahead of the San Francisco Giants to win the National League Wild Card. The Rockies were roughed up by the Dodgers and the Giants in head-to-head play, going 4-14 against the Dodgers and 8-10 against the Giants. To their credit, however, the Rockies remained resilient, going 51-30 at home and 41-40 on the road.

The Players Behind the Rebound

A Deep and Productive Lineup

First baseman Todd Helton batted .325 with 15 home runs and 86 RBIs, along with 177 hits and 38 doubles. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki batted .297 with 32 home runs and 92 RBIs, along with 161 hits, 25 doubles, 9 triples and 20 stolen bases. Left fielder Seth Smith batted .293 with 15 home runs, 98 hits and 20 doubles in 133 games. Right fielder Brad Hawpe batted .285 with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs, along with 143 hits and 42 doubles. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, fittingly nicknamed “CarGo,” batted .284 with 13 home runs, 79 hits, 14 doubles, 7 triples and 16 stolen bases in 89 games.

Center fielder Dexter Fowler had 115 hits, 29 doubles, 10 triples and 27 stolen bases in 135 games. Second baseman Clint Barmes had 23 home runs and 75 RBIs, along with 135 hits, 32 doubles and 12 stolen bases. Third baseman Ian Stewart had 25 home runs and 70 RBIs, along with 97 hits and 19 doubles. Third baseman Garrett Atkins had 80 hits and 12 doubles in 126 games. Outfielder and pinch hitter Ryan Spilborghs had 85 hits, 24 doubles and 9 stolen bases in 133 games. Catcher Chris Iannetta had 16 home runs, 66 hits and 15 doubles.

A Rotation of Double-Digit Winners

In 2009, the Rockies were the only team in Major League Baseball to have all five pitchers in its starting rotation win at least 10 games. Ubaldo Jimenez went 15-12 with 198 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA, recording one complete game. Jason Marquis went 15-13 with 115 strikeouts, two complete games and one shutout. Jason Hammel went 10-8 with 133 strikeouts and one complete game. Aaron Cook went 11-6 with one complete game and one shutout. Jorge De La Rosa went 16-9 with 193 strikeouts.

The Bullpen

Closer Huston Street went 4-1 with 35 saves and a 3.06 ERA. Relief pitcher Franklin Morales went 3-2 with seven saves. Rafael Betancourt, who was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Rockies on July 23 in exchange for minor leaguer Connor Graham, went 3-1 with one save and a 1.78 ERA. Matt Belisle went 3-1, Juan Rincon went 3-2, Glendon Rusch went 2-0, Alan Embree went 2-2 and Matt Daley went 1-1.

The Jim Tracy Turnaround

The transition from Clint Hurdle to Jim Tracy was significant. The Rockies started with a 20-19 record for April and May combined, but after that point they took off, going 21-7 in June, 15-11 in July, 16-12 in August and 18-9 in September. Colorado also tied its franchise record for the longest winning streak by winning 11 straight games. The streak started on June 4 at Minute Maid Park with a 10-3 win over the Houston Astros and ended on June 14 at Coors Field with a 7-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

A Short Postseason Stay

Unfortunately for the Rockies, their 2009 postseason was nothing like their remarkable 2007 run, as they were eliminated three games to one in the National League Division Series by the eventual National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

The Rockies’ lone win came in Game 2 on October 8 at Citizens Bank Park, where they held on to beat the Phillies 5-4. In the top of the first inning, Todd Helton hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Carlos Gonzalez. In the top of the fourth, catcher Yorvit Torrealba launched a two-run home run, and in the top of the fifth, Dexter Fowler hit a sacrifice fly to score Aaron Cook. Philadelphia came back in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double by first baseman Ryan Howard and a two-run single by left fielder Raul Ibanez. In the top of the seventh, Fowler delivered another sacrifice fly to score Ryan Spilborghs. Though right fielder Jayson Werth hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies fell one run short.

Todd Helton’s Last Shot at a Title

The 2009 postseason ended up being Todd Helton’s last chance at a World Series championship. After all he contributed to the Colorado Rockies organization since 1997, Helton hung up his cleats and retired after the 2013 season, leaving behind an admirable legacy that any Major League Baseball player would want to have. On August 17, 2014, Helton’s No. 17 became the first jersey number retired by the Rockies.