@MarkKnudson41
Throughout their first three decades of existence, the Colorado Rockies have struggled to win more games than they’ve lost more often than not. Only four play-off appearance during that span, and no division titles. But has much of a struggle as it’s been record-wise, there is one ignominy they’ve consistently and successfully avoided: The Rockies franchise has never lost 100 games in a single season.
It’s actually not all that uncommon for a team to lose that many games in a baseball season. Last year four clubs lost more than 100 games, including National League west rival Arizona, which lost 110 times in 2021. Many thought that in the wake of the awful Nolan Arenado trade, that 2021 would be the year it finally happened to Colorado too. But the Rocks surprised everyone by going 74-89 and avoiding the century mark yet again.
The Rockies worst record in the previous 29 seasons is 64-98 in 2012. They dropped 96 games two seasons later. The team’s first Manager, the late great Don Baylor, made it a point of emphasis during the inaugural season of 1993 that his team would NOT lose 100 times. We didn’t. The first Colorado Rockies went 67-95.
All totaled, the franchise has lost 90 or more games eight times in their history. They are on pace to do it for the ninth time.
This year’s Rockies have been a major disappointment to those who thought they might even improve on last season, especially with the addition of former MVP Kris Bryant. Their chance to stay in contention rested on a better than average start, when the schedule was favorable. But with Bryant hurt and the starting pitchers struggling, that didn’t happen. They finished May well under .500 instead of well over…and it’s been downhill ever since. Now, there’s an outside shot that this team, which faces a brutal schedule the rest of the way, could become the first Rockies team to drop 100 ballgames.
On their current pace, Colorado would lose “just” 92 times. But “pace” stats don’t take the meat grinder schedule into account. They still have three games at division leading St. Louis, three more with the first place New York Mets, three more each with playoff contenders Atlanta and Milwaukee, two at American League playoff contender Chicago. Closer to home, they have four more against division rival San Diego, which is also in the thick of the playoff race, seven games left with nemesis San Francisco…and it gets worse. Colorado’s final six games of the season are AT Los Angeles against a Dodgers team that will be looking to finish strong and secure home field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Rockies, sitting on 64 losses entering the three game home series with Arizona, could conceivably lose 36 more times in their final 48 games. It’s unlikely, but it IS possible.
So what happens then? Reaching that kind of “milestone” would/should mean changes – perhaps in organizational philosophy – at 20th and Blake. That does NOT mean simply changing managers. Bud Black is NOT the problem and making him a scapegoat would be a tragic mistake and just make things worse. Colorado is not going to find a better man for this job anywhere. But other changes – philosophical ones that could and should include looking outside the organization for fresher ideas – need to be on the table at least.
Otherwise future Rockies teams will continue to challenge the century mark…and not in a good way.
https://bleav.com/shows/the-park-adjusted-rockies-podcast/episodes/park-adjusted-rockies-podcast-47/