DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Rockies and fans alike are celebrating the 30th year of residing in Coors Field this April.
The Rockies got their start in 1993, but before they would call Coors Field home, the team would spend two years playing at Mile High Stadium, now known as Empower Field at Mile High.
It wouldn’t be until the calendar struck April 26, 1995, that the Rockies would begin playing in Coors, the place that would see thousands of games played for the next three decades.
The ballpark quickly established itself as the offensive darling of the league. In 1999, the Rockies and opponents combined for a record 303 home runs in one venue during a single season. The average score for a game at Coors was 8-7, according to the MLB website.
One reason for the offensive boom is the altitude. The ball travels 9% farther one mile high than it would at sea level. The MLB website said a 400-foot homer in Yankee Stadium would travel about 408 feet in Atlanta and about 440 feet in Coors.
Plenty of memories and history has been made at Coors over 30 years, but in honor of the anniversary, here are some of the firsts, with most occurring in a crazy opening game, according to the Rockies’ website:
- First official game — April 26, 1995, versus the New York Mets, Rockies 11-9 win.
- National Anthem — Colorado Children’s Chorale
- Pitch — 5:38 p.m., Bill Swift pitched to Brett Butler
- First hit — The aforementioned Butler hit an infield single
- First run — Walt Weiss, first inning, versus the Mets
- Extra-base hit, run batted in — Larry Walker, first-inning double
- Home run — Rico Brogna, fourth inning
- Grand slam (astonishingly in the first game) — Todd Hundley, fourth inning
- Pinch-base hit — Jim Tatum versus the Mets
- Extra-inning game — same day versus the Mets, Dante Bichette won with a three-run homer in the 14th inning
- Stolen base — Eric Young and Walt Weiss (double steal), April 27, 1995, versus Mets
- Complete game, shutout — Tom Glavine, June 16, 1995, versus the Atlanta Braves
- Back-to-back home runs — Mike Kingery and Roberto Meija, May 6, 1995, versus the Los Angeles Dodgers
When the Rockies take on the Cincinnati Reds on April 26, the 30th anniversary will officially commence.
To start the day, the “Blake Street Bomber” and former Rockies outfielder, Dante Bichette, will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the festivities.
A limited edition Bichette jersey will also be part of a special anniversary ticket package.
The stadium will offer a throwback atmosphere full of 90s nostalgia. Music, scoreboard graphics and highlights from the 1995 season will be used throughout the field. A special 30th edition ball will also be used in the game, with the game-used balls available for purchase at kiosks.
More information about the 30th anniversary celebration can be found on the Rockies’ website.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
