NewsPlayoff-bound Rox look to build on '07
In clinching berth, Colorado returns to October glory days
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com
10/01/09 10:37 PM EST
DENVER -- Oct. 1 should be renamed Celebration Day at Coors Field.The Rockies' 9-2 victory over the Brewers on Thursday afternoon at Coors Field clinched the third playoff berth in club history. It was a good day to clinch.
On Oct. 1, 1995, the Rockies beat the Giants, 10-9, to lock up the National League Wild Card in their third season of existence -- faster than any club in history. On that date in 2007, the Rockies beat the Padres, 9-8, in a wild showdown game to determine the NL Wild Card.
Thursday's victory had none of the drama of the previous two. The efficient pitching of Aaron Cook -- who also walked twice with the bases loaded for RBIs -- and the wildness of Brewers starter Manny Parra (five walks in 2 2/3 innings) took care of that, but that's OK. The fact the Rockies are in the postseason -- having locked up at least the Wild Card but still alive for the NL West title -- is a dramatic change from where the season started.
On May 29, the Rockies were 18-28, and they replaced manager Clint Hurdle with Jim Tracy. The Rockies would fall to a season-worst 12 games below .500 on June 3. Now, at 91-68, they've set the club record for wins in a season, are 23 games above .500 for the first time in club history, and Tracy is the favorite for any award given to the top manager in the NL.
"It was very special to be a part of it, but we've had a lot of big games all year that different guys have pitched in," Cook said. "I'm fortunate enough to be a part of this team and be able to pitch today."
And even more special moments are possible between now and the beginning of the playoffs. The Rockies have beaten back a challenge for the NL Wild Card from the Braves, who played two weeks of torrid baseball before falling short.
Colorado's route to the playoffs this year is different from 2007. It led the Wild Card race for 31 straight days before locking it up on Thursday. In '07, the Rockies won 14 of their final 15 regular-season games, including the classic play-in game against the Padres.
"I think we're a little bit more mature this year," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "I think we have a little better understanding that this is a nice journey we're on, but it's not the end of the journey. We've got some more steps that we want to take."
But, incredibly, the spirit of 2007 could return in '09.
DIGGING OUT OF A BIG HOLE | |||
| These three teams overcame the largest deficits to finish in first place. No team has ever overcome a 15 1/2-game deficit to win a division or a league title, which is what the Rockies are threatening to do. | |||
TEAM | YEAR | DEFICIT | |
| Boston Braves | 1914 | 15 games | |
| New York Yankees | 1978 | 14 games | |
| New York Giants | 1951 | 13 games | |
The regular-season ends with a three-game road set against the fading Dodgers that starts Friday night. The Dodgers' magic number to clinch the NL West has been one since Monday. But if the Rockies sweep, not only will they end the year with seven straight wins, but they will win the first division title in club history. Mathematically, it's possible for them to earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Any home game for the Rockies is potentially a good one. They finished with a 51-30 home record. One victory on the trip to Los Angeles will give the Rockies their first winning road record.
"I think we're celebrating right now," first baseman Todd Helton said during the postgame champagne-and-beer bath. "We'll worry about that tomorrow."
No matter how the regular season ends, Colorado will need to prepare to face either Philadelphia or St. Louis in the best-of-five NL Division Series.
If it's the Phillies, it will be a repeat of 2007, when the underdog Rockies swept the NLDS. This season, however, the Phils have won four of the six games between the clubs.
The Rockies have won six of the seven meetings with the Cardinals this season. A four-game sweep at Busch Stadium on June 5-8 was a key moment in the team's turnaround. Also, the Rox won 2-of-3 over the Cards this past weekend. The Cardinals now include outfielder Matt Holliday, one of Colorado's leaders during its 2007 surge.
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
