The Mile High Deep-Dive: A Colorado Rockies Franchise History Challenge

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Mile High Deep-Dive: A Colorado Rockies Franchise History Challenge

Welcome to the ultimate test of your purple-and-black knowledge. From the expansion era at Mile High Stadium to the "Rocktober" dynasty that captivated the nation, we are diving deep into the history of the Colorado Rockies. Are you a true Blake Street Bomber expert?

Gear up for the next home game at Coors Field!

View on Amazon

1. In what year did the Colorado Rockies play their inaugural Major League Baseball season?

A) 1991
B) 1993
C) 1995
D) 1990

Answer: B) 1993
The Story Behind the Stat: The Rockies joined the NL as an expansion team alongside the Florida Marlins. Their first-ever home game drew a then-record 80,227 fans to Mile High Stadium.

2. Who hit the first home run in Rockies franchise history during the 1993 home opener?

A) Dante Bichette
B) Andrés Galarraga
C) Eric Young
D) Charlie Hayes

Answer: C) Eric Young
The Story Behind the Stat: In the bottom of the first inning of the first-ever home game, second baseman Eric Young sent a leadoff blast into the seats, setting the tone for "Mile High Magic."

3. During the legendary 2007 "Rocktober" run, how many games did the Rockies win out of their final 22 to reach the World Series?

A) 18
B) 19
C) 21
D) 20

Answer: C) 21
The Story Behind the Stat: It remains one of the greatest streaks in sports history. The Rockies won 14 of their last 15 regular-season games, then swept the NLDS and NLCS.

4. Which iconic Rockies first baseman was the first player in franchise history to have his number (17) retired?

A) Todd Helton
B) Larry Walker
C) Vinny Castilla
D) Tino Martinez

Answer: A) Todd Helton
The Story Behind the Stat: "The Toddfather" spent his entire 17-year career in Colorado, finishing with a .316 career average and 369 home runs.

5. In 1997, Larry Walker became the first Rockies player to win the National League MVP. What was his batting average that season?

A) .350
B) .366
C) .384
D) .363

Answer: B) .366
The Story Behind the Stat: Walker's 1997 season was historic; he also hit 49 home runs and drove in 130 runs, proving he was more than just a "Coors Field hitter."

6. The "Blake Street Bombers" was a nickname given to the mid-90s lineup. Which of these players was NOT considered one of the original four "Bombers"?

A) Dante Bichette
B) Vinny Castilla
C) Andrés Galarraga
D) Ellis Burks

Answer: D) Ellis Burks
The Story Behind the Stat: While Burks was a star, the "Blake Street Bombers" moniker specifically referred to the quartet of Bichette, Galarraga, Castilla, and Larry Walker.

7. Coors Field is famous for its high altitude. In what year did the stadium officially open for play?

A) 1993
B) 1994
C) 1995
D) 1996

Answer: C) 1995
The Story Behind the Stat: After spending two years at Mile High Stadium, the Rockies moved into their permanent home in LoDo (Lower Downtown Denver) on April 26, 1995.

8. Who was the first manager in Colorado Rockies history, leading the team from 1993 to 1998?

A) Clint Hurdle
B) Don Baylor
C) Buddy Bell
D) Jim Leyland

Answer: B) Don Baylor
The Story Behind the Stat: Baylor won the NL Manager of the Year award in 1995 after leading the Rockies to the postseason in only their third year of existence.

9. To combat the "thin air" effect on baseballs, the Rockies introduced the humidor in what year?

A) 2000
B) 2002
C) 2005
D) 1998

Answer: B) 2002
The Story Behind the Stat: The humidor was designed to keep baseballs from drying out and becoming too "bouncy," helping to normalize the extreme offensive numbers at Coors Field.

10. Who is the only pitcher in Rockies history to throw a no-hitter?

A) Jeff Francis
B) Ubaldo Jiménez
C) Jorge De La Rosa
D) Aaron Cook

Answer: B) Ubaldo Jiménez
The Story Behind the Stat: On April 17, 2010, Ubaldo Jiménez shut down the Atlanta Braves to record the first and only no-no in franchise history.

11. In the strike-shortened 1995 season, Dante Bichette famously lost the MVP race to Barry Larkin despite leading the league in which two categories?

A) Average and Hits
B) Home Runs and RBIs
C) Runs and Stolen Bases
D) Doubles and Triples

Answer: B) Home Runs and RBIs
The Story Behind the Stat: Bichette hit 40 HRs and had 128 RBIs. Many believe he lost the MVP due to the "Coors Field effect" bias among voters at the time.

12. Which team did the Rockies face in their only World Series appearance to date (2007)?

A) New York Yankees
B) Boston Red Sox
C) Detroit Tigers
D) Cleveland Indians

Answer: B) Boston Red Sox
The Story Behind the Stat: After an 8-day layoff following the NLCS sweep, the Rockies' momentum cooled, and they were swept by the Red Sox in four games.

13. Who holds the franchise record for the most career home runs as a Colorado Rockie?

A) Larry Walker
B) Vinny Castilla
C) Todd Helton
D) Nolan Arenado

Answer: C) Todd Helton
The Story Behind the Stat: Helton finished his career with 369 home runs, followed by Larry Walker (258) and Vinny Castilla (239).

14. The Rockies played their first two seasons (1993-1994) in which multi-purpose stadium?

A) Mile High Stadium
B) McNichols Arena
C) Folsom Field
D) Bears Stadium

Answer: A) Mile High Stadium
The Story Behind the Stat: Mile High was the home of the Denver Broncos. The Rockies set massive attendance records there because of its huge seating capacity.

15. Which Rockies third baseman won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 2013 to 2020?

A) Garrett Atkins
B) Vinny Castilla
C) Nolan Arenado
D) Ryan McMahon

Answer: C) Nolan Arenado
The Story Behind the Stat: Arenado won a Gold Glove in every single season he played for the Rockies, cementing his status as one of the greatest defensive third basemen ever.

16. In 2007, Troy Tulowitzki performed one of the rarest feats in baseball history. What was it?

A) A natural cycle
B) An unassisted triple play
C) Four home runs in one game
D) Two grand slams in one inning

Answer: B) An unassisted triple play
The Story Behind the Stat: On April 29, 2007, the rookie shortstop caught a line drive, stepped on second, and tagged the runner coming from first to end the inning by himself.

17. Which Rockies pitcher holds the franchise record for the most career wins?

A) Ubaldo Jiménez
B) Aaron Cook
C) Jorge De La Rosa
D) German Márquez

Answer: C) Jorge De La Rosa
The Story Behind the Stat: De La Rosa recorded 86 wins during his tenure in Colorado, narrowly beating out Aaron Cook (72).

18. What was the result of the famous "Matt Holliday Slide" in the 2007 Wild Card tiebreaker game against the Padres?

A) He was called out at the plate
B) He was called safe, ending the game
C) The play was overturned by replay
D) He hit a home run instead

Answer: B) He was called safe, ending the game
The Story Behind the Stat: To this day, Padres fans argue that Holliday never actually touched home plate. However, the "safe" call stood, and the Rockies won 9-8 in 13 innings.

19. In 2018, the Rockies played in a tiebreaker game for the NL West division title. Who was their opponent?

A) Los Angeles Dodgers
B) Arizona Diamondbacks
C) San Francisco Giants
D) San Diego Padres

Answer: A) Los Angeles Dodgers
The Story Behind the Stat: Game 163 was played at Dodger Stadium. The Rockies lost 5-2, forcing them into the Wild Card game (which they won against the Cubs).

20. Who was the first player to enter the National League Baseball Hall of Fame wearing a Rockies cap on his plaque?

A) Todd Helton
B) Larry Walker
C) Fred McGriff
D) Jim Leyland

Answer: B) Larry Walker
The Story Behind the Stat: Walker was inducted in 2020. Todd Helton followed him into Cooperstown in 2024, making them the first two "homegrown" Rockies legends in the Hall.

How did you score?

15-20: Hall of Famer
10-14: All-Star
5-9: Utility Player
0-4: Back to the Minors

Want to show off your Rockies pride? Check out the latest gear below!

View on Amazon