The Rockies' Struggles: A Tale of Two Extremes
In the vibrant sports landscape of Colorado, a stark contrast unfolds. While the Broncos, Nuggets, and Avalanche soar towards potential league championships, the Rockies find themselves in a league of their own - one of neglect and underperformance. This is a story of triumph and disappointment, where the success of some teams shines a glaring light on the struggles of others.
Imagine this: last Sunday, the Avs, Broncos, and Nuggets all emerged victorious, their records standing tall at first, tied for first, and third in their respective leagues. Together, these 'Denver Big Three' boast an impressive 51 wins in just 62 games, an astonishing 82.3% winning percentage. Meanwhile, the Rockies, despite their boldest team overhaul in history, languish with a mere 41 wins out of 162, a losing percentage of 73.5.
The numbers don't lie. The Nuggets have made the playoffs in 40 seasons, the Broncos in 23, and the Avalanche in 21. These franchises have collectively claimed seven titles. In contrast, the Rockies have managed just five postseason appearances, never finishing first in their division, and their lone World Series appearance ended in a four-game sweep.
But here's where it gets controversial... Ownership plays a significant role. The Broncos are owned by the wealthiest family in the NFL, the Waltons. The Nuggets and Avalanche are under the Kroenke family, whose sports teams are valued at a whopping $12 billion. Yet, the Rockies have been consistently owned by the Monfort family, ranking among the poorest ownerships in Major League Baseball.
According to Forbes, the Broncos are valued at $5.5 billion, the Nuggets at $4.6 billion, the Avalanche at $1.85 billion, and the Rockies at a mere $1.48 billion. Despite these disparities, the Broncos, Nuggets, and Avalanche consistently sell out every game. The Broncos average 75,281 spectators (fourth in the NFL), the Nuggets 18,900 (seventh in the NBA), and the Avalanche 18,099 (third in the NHL). In contrast, the Rockies' attendance has plummeted to 29,687 (17th in MLB), with only seven games considered sellouts, and even those numbers include no-shows.
And this is the part most people miss... The Rockies' struggles extend beyond the field. The team has lost a staggering 504 games in the past five years, and suffered through 87-plus losses in 11 of the last 14 seasons. It's a reign of terrible performance under the leadership of Dick Monfort, who has finally been pressured into making significant changes.
Dick Monfort, still the Cheap Chief-Chairman, has made some moves. He's let go of loyalists and brought in fresh leadership, including Paul DePodesta as president of baseball operations and Josh Byrnes as general manager. The team has also hired new pitching coaches, a director of pitching, and a hitting coach, and signed several free agent pitchers. Pitching is a priority, but so are positions like first base, second base, third base, and outfield.
The Rockies still have financial commitments to Kris Bryant ($27 million) and Nolan Arenado ($5 million), who are both expected to leave. Will Monfort, who is focused on securing a salary cap for owners, invest more in his own team? Or will the Rockies continue to flounder while their Denver counterparts thrive?
This is a tale of two extremes, where the success of some teams highlights the struggles of others. It's a story that begs the question: What does it take for a team to break free from mediocrity and find its place among the elite?
