Colorado Rockies: Top 5 greatest teams in franchise history

1 of 6

Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Fans walk around outside of Coors Field before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Rockies have been around since 1993, and there have been some pretty good teams to grace the city of Denver in that time. The top five teams in franchise history show the various ways Colorado has enjoyed success over the years.

The Colorado Rockies don’t exactly have the longest history in the league, but the franchise has made a lot of history over the years. The 2017 Rockies have been extremely impressive to start the young season, but rest assured they will not appear on the list of top five teams all time … yet. This year’s club has shown promise in many different areas, but it may be best to take a look at what worked before this year to show the Rockies what it takes to be considered an all-time great team.

The list is comprised by taking in to consideration wins, divisional rank, season stats, and overall talent of the roster. Postseason performance was included, but it doesn’t exactly offer a large sample size to say the least.

Apr 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer’s (7) bats wait in the dugout prior to the game between the Minnesota Wolves and the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

5. 1995 Colorado Rockies (77-67)

The 1995 Colorado Rockies finished a respectable 10 games above .500, and provided the franchise with its first taste of postseason action. However, the most notable trait of the team was the birth of the “Blake Street Bombers.” The lineup featured four sluggers who hit over 30 homers and hit well above league average.

The most impressive performance of the season came from Dante Bichette, who accounted for 40 home runs, 128 RBI, and posted a .340 batting average. Bichette was joined in the middle of the lineup by Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla, and Andres Galarraga. The core of the Rockies roster carried the team to the playoffs, but the lack of experience and talent in the pitching staff eventually doomed the young club.

The so-called “ace” of the 1995 squad was Kevin Ritz. If the name doesn’t exactly ring a bell, it is not without reason. Ritz posted an 11-11 record with a 4.21 ERA, and was unable to dominate in games which he received massive run support. Bill Swift and Armando Reynoso tried to support Ritz in the rotation, but a combined 16 wins along with a 4.94 and 5.32 ERA respectively didn’t exactly get the job done.

After the season ended in a 3-1 series loss in the NLDS, the 1995 Rockies did enough to earn a spot on the list, but did even more to set the next team on the list up for success.

Jun 24, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Marlins former player Andres Galarraga smiles before throwing out the ceremonial pitch before a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. 1996 Colorado Rockies (83-79)

The 1996 Rockies did not make the playoffs or finish 10 games above .500, but they did hit an astonishing 221 home runs as a team for the season, and saw one of the best individual performances in franchise history. The team finished the season with an 83-79 record, and finished in third place in the NL West.

Colorado Rockies

As far as individual performances go, Andres Galarraga posted arguably one of the best in franchise history. The Big Cat exploded on the scene with 47 home runs, 150 RBI, and a batting average over .300. He was not alone in dominating opposing pitchers though, as Vinny Castilla and Dante Bichette continued to drive the team from the middle of the lineup.

One of the biggest surprises of the 1996 team was Ellis Burks and his contribution to the “Blake Street Bombers.” Burks enjoyed a productive 1995 season, but his 40 home runs, 128 RBI, and .344 average in ’96 hoisted him to the verge of stardom in Colorado.

Once again, the Rockies struggled to find dependable pitching throughout the season, and relied more heavily on the bullpen than lackluster starters. Ritz and Reynoso remained atop the Rockies rotation (say that five times fast), but performed at an even lower level than in ’95. Though Ritz posted a 17-11 record, he also carried a 5.28 ERA to the finish line. Reynoso struggled to help the team on the mound working just an 8-9 record with a 4.96 ERA.

The bright spot of the the pitching staff was the bullpen, led by closer Bruce Ruffin. Ruffin converted 24 of 29 saves and steadily maintained a 4.00 ERA through the season.

The outcome of the season may not have been as rewarding as the year prior, but the absolute onslaught of offense and power is enough to earn the 1996 Rockies a spot on the list.

Jul 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Canada first base coach Larry Walker (33) yells at the baserunner against Puerto Rico during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Ajax Pan Am Ballpark. Canada beat Puerto Rico 7-1 Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. 1997 Colorado Rockies (83-79)

The “Blake Street Bombers” were well known around the league by 1997, but the heart of the Rockies’ lineup shifted over the years and found a new home in the form of Larry Walker.

Dante Bichette’s production steadily declined after the ’95 season, and he hit just 26 home runs in 1997. Vinny Castilla and Andres Galarraga continued to put up 40-plus homers in to ’97, but the team lead belonged to Walker with 49 bombs.

More from Colorado Rockies All-Time Lists

Not only did Walker lead the team in deep flies, but he hit an astonishing .366 with 130 RBI. His dominance did not go unnoticed through the year, and Walker was named the 1997 NL MVP. Walker also earned a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in ’97 to cement his spot as one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

Once again the Rockies struggled in the pitching department in ’97, but there were a few notable performances as well. Roger Bailey took over as the club’s ace and posted a 9-10 record with a 4.29 ERA. Though the numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, his performance was enough to carry an otherwise lackluster rotation.

Bruce Ruffin lost his role as the team’s full-time closer, but Jerry Dipoto and Steve Reed combined for 22 saves in his absence.

Walker’s MVP performance along with a serviceable pitching staff and bullpen led the team to an eventual 83-79 record and a third place finish in the NL West. The best single-season performance in franchise history boosted the ’97 club to the third overall spot on the list.

Jul 16, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; United States manager Jim Tracy (4) comes out to argue a call at second base in the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Ajax Pan Am Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 2009 Colorado Rockies (92-70)

Two very interesting factors led to the 2009 Rockies placement on the list. First, the club finished the regular season with the best record in franchise history. However, even 92 wins was not enough for the club to win its first NL West Title.

The season started with manager Clint Hurdle at the helm, but after an underwhelming 18-28 start, the Rockies named JIm Tracy as the new manager. Tracy brought to the club a long history of winning, and the team went 74-42 after he took over. Troy Tulowitzki had established himself as a legitimate star in the middle of the lineup, and he helped lead a roster of relatively unknown players to the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Even though the lineup was not as dominant as the teams mentioned earlier on the list, the pitching staff in 2009 was possibly the best in franchise history. Ubaldo Jimenez was the head of the staff with a 15-12 record and 3.47 ERA, but the rest of the rotation was as steady as Colorado had ever seen. Every other starter had double digit wins and an ERA below 4.4.

Huston Street acted as the team’s closer and he converted 35 saves with a 3.06 ERA.

For years the Rockies relied on a heavy-hitting lineup and suffered through below average pitching, but the right balance of offense and pitching was enough for the team to make it to the NLDS and land at number two on this list.

Apr 30, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Matt Holliday (17) in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

1. 2007 Colorado Rockies (90-73)

The best team in franchise history isn’t necessarily a surprise, but a World Series berth and a 90-win season is absolutely worth being atop a list of all-time greats. The 2007 Rockies were great for a bunch of reasons. The lineup was comprised of unknown talent, but the strengths of each player formed an explosive roster which gave opposing teams fits all year.

More from Rox Pile

Matt Holliday (who definitely touched the plate in game 163) led the team on offense all year and finished with 36 home runs and a .340 average. Newcomer Troy Tulowitzki burst on the scene and provided steady defense and an uncommon amount of power from the shortstop position in his first year with the team. Willy Taveras and Kazuo Matsui stole 30 bags apiece and gave the Rockies an unfamiliar feature at the top of the lineup.

Not only was the lineup packed with talent from top to bottom, but the pitching staff was respectable all year. Jeff Francis made a case for the NL Cy Young with a 17-9 record and Aaron Cook posted a 4.12 ERA to lead the staff.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the 2007 club was the bullpen, anchored by Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes. Corpas had 19 saves and a 2.08 ERA while Fuented saved 20 games with a 3.08 ERA.

Next: Who made Colorado's all-time 25-man roster?

Though the season ended in a heart-wrenching sweep in the World Series, the 2007 Rockies season was special from start to finish.

Looking back at how the teams rank all-time, the Rockies succeed when the emphasis is on balanced pitching and offense. Ten years later, the Rockies look like they might have something special brewing, but the season is still young. For now, the 2007 Rockies remain atop the list of all-time great teams.

Home / Colorado Rockies All-Time Lists