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Colorado Rockies: The franchise all-time bracket

By Bill Felber

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 25: A detail of the dirt covered jersey of Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies as he faces the Boston Red Sox in the final home game of his career at Coors Field on September 25, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 25: A detail of the dirt covered jersey of Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies as he faces the Boston Red Sox in the final home game of his career at Coors Field on September 25, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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(Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT)
(Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT) /

Colorado Rockies: The All-Time Bracket

No. 1 vs 8 seed

The 2007 Colorado Rockies enter this challenge as the prohibitive favorite. Not only did they advance farthest in post-season, but they also had one of the best regular-season records in franchise history and they possessed a rarity in Denver, competent pitching.

Jeff Francis was 17-9 in 34 starts, and Aaron Cook delivered  25 credible starts.

At bat, the Rockies featured three stars. First baseman Todd Helton batted .320 with 91 RBIs, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit .291 with 99 RBIs, and outfielder Matt Holliday led the team at .340 with 36 home runs and 137 RBIs. Holliday led the league in both average and RBIs, yet managed to lose the MVP that season to Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

The 1996 Rockies failed to reach post-season, finishing eight games behind division champion San Diego. But manager Don Baylor had a good ballclub led by first baseman Andres Galarraga (.304, 47 homers, 150 RBI), and outfielders Ellis Burks and Dante Bichette. Burks hit .344 with 40 homers and 128 RBIs, Bichette batted  .313 with 31 and 141.

Given that level of production, you will doubtless deduce that pitching was a problem. It was. Kevin Ritz was 17-11 despite a 5.28 ERA, but he was the only starter above .500.

Related Story. Houston Astros: The Franchise All-Time Bracket. light

Game 1: The 2007 team had a 90-73 record and .552 percentage. The 1996 Rockies won just 83 games, a .512 percentage.

Game 2: Since the 1996 team did not play a post-season game, this one is forfeited to 2007.

Game 3: The 2007 Rockies reached the World Series despite a mediocre 98 OPS+…which, if you’re wondering, is adjusted for both seasonal variations and home field. The 1996 team beat that, although by only one point, at 99.

Game 4: The 2007 Rockies presented one of the better pitching staffs in franchise history, with a 112 ERA+. The 1996 club only got to 93.

Game 5: The 2007 Rockies accumulated 41.4 WAR. The 1996 tea stopped at 28.7.

Result: 2007 in five games

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