Colorado Rockies: A look back at 2005 … in video game form

HOUSTON – OCTOBER 1: Starting pitcher Joe Kennedy #37 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Houston Astros during the game on October 1, 2004 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Rockies won 4-2. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

On Saturday, I decided to update the rosters to close to what they would have been in mid-April, minus the players who just simply aren’t in the game and play a game like it was on Opening Day 2005 for the Rockies since that’s the closest we’ll be to an Opening Day for the foreseeable future.

In 2005, the Rockies opened the season up at Coors Field against the San Diego Padres. The Padres had a lot of losing in the previous five or so years but they had turned the corner in the offseason.

They signed starting pitcher Woody Williams (who was just a year removed from being an All-Star), former Rockie Eric Young, Sr., and some bullpen help. They also saw the development of starter Jake Peavy in 2004. Eventually, they won the NL West in 2005 but they only went 82-80.

But on this day, Williams would get the start for the Padres and he would oppose Rockies ace, the late Joe Kennedy … and it would be a Coors Field game. The Rockies walked Trevor Hoffman off and won 12-10.

In the video game, though, it was the exact opposite. The lineups were exactly the same as the real Opening Day lineup, except for Luis Gonzalez starting at third base instead of Jeff Baker.

This was the Rockies Opening Day lineup in 2005.

Schedule