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Colorado Rockies: This team is a weird bunch historically

By Noah Yingling

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 26: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies looks on as he walks back to the dugout against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at AT&T Park on June 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 26: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies looks on as he walks back to the dugout against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at AT&T Park on June 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JUNE 05: Hitting coach George Brett #5 of the Kansas City Royals watches from the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on June 5, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JUNE 05: Hitting coach George Brett #5 of the Kansas City Royals watches from the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on June 5, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Three years prior to the Twins winning the World Series in 1987, the American League West was also very weak and, in fact, weaker than in 1987.

The Kansas City Royals won the division with a record of 84-78, the only team that had a record that was above .500 in the seven team division (the Twins and then-named California Angels both had records of an even .500).

In addition, the entire division had a negative run differential, as the Twins and Angels had run differentials of -2 and -1. However, the Royals run differential was -13.

The team was lead, on the pitching front, by none other than current Rockies manager Bud Black, as he went 17-12 with a 3.12 ERA in 35 starts and 257 innings pitched in the regular season.

Offensively, they were lead by future Hall of Famer George Brett, who had an injury plagued season but still had an OPS+ of 121.

As a side note, if you look at the team on Baseball Reference, you’ll notice that for the entire season, the Royals only used 13 pitchers…and one of those 13 was a position player (Leon Roberts).

The Royals, however, were quickly dispatched by the 108-win, eventual World Champion Detroit Tigers in three games (this was the final season that the League Championship Series was the best of five games).

Final Thoughts

It should be noted that there are two teams that just barely did not make this small club.

2016 Texas Rangers: 95-67 record, +8 run differential.

2014 St. Louis Cardinals: 90-72 record, +16 run differential.

This shows that there is precedent of what the Rockies are currently doing has happened and even a team (the 1987 Twins) ended up winning the World Series and another team even involved Bud Black.

Next. The key to the Rockies season will be the offense. dark

It may be rare but it can be done.

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