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Colorado Rockies: The 5 best free agent signings in franchise history

By Kevin Henry

16 Apr 1998: Outfielders Ellis Burks and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers won the game, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
16 Apr 1998: Outfielders Ellis Burks and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers won the game, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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12 Jun 1996: Center fielder Ellis Burks of the Colorado Rockies swings at the ball during a game against the Houston Astros at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies won the game 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
12 Jun 1996: Center fielder Ellis Burks of the Colorado Rockies swings at the ball during a game against the Houston Astros at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies won the game 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

Ellis Burks
Signed in 1993

Another one of the Blake Street Bombers (joining Galarraga, Walker, Dante Bichette and Vinny Castilla), Burks was lured away from the Chicago White Sox and signed a three-year, $10 million contract. It was a move that would pay big dividends for the Rockies.

During his All-Star season of 1996, Burks would finish third in the MVP voting after scoring a league-high 142 runs and totaling 392 total bases. He posted 40 homers and 32 stolen bases that season, showing just what a double threat he was near the top of the Colorado lineup.

His 115 home runs in a Colorado uniform make him just one of 12 Rockies to ever hit 100 or more homers. However, his career with the Rockies was cut short as he was traded on July 31, 1998, to the San Francisco Giants for Darryl Hamilton and two other players. He would retire after playing just 11 games with the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

Despite his relatively short time in Denver, Burks made enough of an impression to be named one of the top 25 players to ever play for the Rockies prior to last season.

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