Colorado Rockies: The top 5 things we learned at Rockies Fest

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Colorado Rockies fans cheer after a first inning homerun by Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on September 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Along with the Arenado sniping and feuding, the Rockies have also had a bit of a public relations nightmare with the termination of radio broadcaster Jerry Schemmel. We talked about Schemmel’s loss in this podcast and how it will impact fans in 2020 (and how we hope he’ll still be affiliated with the Rockies somehow).

Let’s make one thing very clear: The Rockies did not have anything to do with this layoff. The ax falling on Schemmel came from KOA Radio through their bosses at IHeartRadio. But no matter where the news came from, it still didn’t set well with Rockies fans.

Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post took to Twitter to try to once again explain the scenario.

Clearing up some Twitter stuff about @KOAColorado naming @MRiceKOA to the #Rockies broadcasts.
* Mike had nothing to do with @jschemmel6 getting laid off.
* This is all about @iHeartRadio making budget cuts.
* Best of luck to Mike, but Jerry Schemmel got the shaft.
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) January 25, 2020

That buzz was still loud and clear on Saturday, despite KOA announcing that Mike Rice would be taking over for Schemmel alongside longtime play-by-play man Jack Corrigan. Rice is no stranger to Rockies fans as he has filled in on the radio in the past and has done plenty with the Rockies and other sports at KOA.

Still, many fans were not and are not happy about the change.

Nothing against Mike...but.....
— Dave (@helloworld_2020) January 25, 2020

That was the view of several Rockies fans I overheard on Saturday and have spoken with on the subject. Change has happened … and it hasn’t been received in the best way so far, it’s very obvious.

Schedule