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Colorado Rockies: 3 great quotes from the Wild Card celebration

By Kevin Henry |
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Saturday night was a crazy, emotional, fun time inside the Colorado Rockies locker room as they celebrated their first postseason berth since the 2009 season. Champagne and beer flowed. There were plenty of hugs and high-fives as Rocktober once again became a part of LoDo lore.

I was lucky enough to witness the celebration … and be doused by some champagne (thanks to Ian Desmond). I was also lucky enough to get to hear, first hand, how ecstatic the Rockies were to finally be back in the postseason.

Talking to members of the Rockies amidst the screams of celebration and the alcohol flowing, there were some interesting and great quotes that came out of Saturday night’s celebration. Here are three of the best … and some thoughts about each of them.

Nolan Arenado

“It all starts with the young pitchers. They’re tough. They’re tough kids. They came out and performed and helped us to get where we’re at. The veterans we have here, they’ve all had experience. Everyone cares for each other. We’re a family, man.”

Nolan is right. Colorado wouldn’t be anywhere near the postseason without young pitchers such as German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Freeland, and Jeff Hoffman. Remember back to June when Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson and Chad Bettis were all unavailable because of injury? That’s when this group carried the Rockies to one of the best records in baseball.

After spending a lot of team with the team this season, it’s also very obvious that everyone in the Rockies locker room cares for each other. There are plenty of teams with problems in the clubhouse. Colorado is not one of them. This is a team that supported Carlos Gonzalez throughout his slump and stood right beside Chad Bettis throughout his chemotherapy. Remember DJ LeMahieu and Charlie Blackmon holding signs for Bettis at the All-Star Game? That’s family.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies is doused by his teammates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies is doused by his teammates in the lockerroom at Coors Field on September 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Although losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies celebrated clinching a wild card spot in the post season. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Carlos Gonzalez

“Eight years later? That’s crazy. It shows you it doesn’t matter all the talent you have, it’s all about being on the same page. Everybody has been pulling for each other since day one.”

Speaking of CarGo, he is the only member of the Rockies who was in Denver the last time Rocktober happened in 2009. He perhaps had the biggest smile of any player during Saturday night’s celebration.

It’s been a tough season for CarGo. Plenty of folks called for his benching or even a DFA during the depths of his slump. Arenado was one of CarGo’s biggest supporters during his slump, talking about how he still watches CarGo’s homers on YouTube. That’s being on the same page and back to the “family” comment from Nolan.

Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies /

Colorado Rockies

Despite the season starting so poorly, Gonzalez has been one of Colorado’s brightest stars during their September playoff push, batting .377 in the final full month of the regular season.

What happens with CarGo in the offseason remains a mystery. It’s very possible we are seeing his last days in a Rockies uniform. Whatever happens, there is little doubt Gonzalez is enjoying a return to the postseason.

Bud Black

“I’ve been in their shoes, both as a player and a coach. I’m so happy for them. This feeling will never leave them.” “It is hard as players, from the start of spring training, it’s a daily game to get to this point. To be one of 10 teams at the end standing to get a chance to win a World Series, it says something about the group. This is a good group. I’m very proud of these guys.”

Think about that … Colorado not only made the postseason but is one of just 10 squads with a shot at a world title. There were plenty of people ready to give up on the Rockies during some of the darkest times in August and September. However, here they are, with the potential to make some noise in the postseason.

Next: Discussing what has made Tyler Anderson so special in September

Black has talked often about how these experiences will be important for the young Rockies in future years. Learning by experience could well pay dividends for the franchise moving forward.

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