UPDATE: The Colorado Rockies have officially hit rock bottom, suffering their 98th loss of the season in a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to the visiting Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. With 47,394 fans in attendance, a staggering 75% of them were cheering for the Cubs, highlighting the growing discontent among Rockies supporters.
Pitcher Kyle Freeland, a Denver native, expressed his frustration, stating, “It eats at you a little bit” to see so many fans supporting the visiting team in their own ballpark. This loss marks the Rockies’ third consecutive year finishing with 100 losses, a stark contrast to the franchise’s success when they last made the postseason in 2018.
The Rockies’ attendance has dwindled significantly since their playoff days, with over 3 million fans attending games in 2018, compared to the current struggles. The team ranks 29th in runs scored and 30th in runs allowed, with a dismal -412 run differential, the worst in modern MLB history.
In response to this ongoing decline, the Rockies made significant changes, including firing longtime manager Bud Black after a disastrous 7-33 start this season. The team is now looking to Walker Monfort, son of owner Dick Monfort, as the new executive vice president, igniting hope for a much-needed transformation within the organization.
Former Rockies star Matt Holliday emphasized the need for introspection. “You have to look in the mirror at three 100-loss seasons in a row,” he said, calling for a reassessment of the team’s approach. The Rockies’ failure to harness talent from their drafts has also come under scrutiny; over the past decade, their picks have generated a mere 10 combined WAR, the lowest in the league.
The Rockies’ struggles are compounded by questionable decisions, such as signing Kris Bryant to a $182 million contract, which has not panned out due to injuries. Bryant himself lamented, “It eats at me every day… I’d rather go out there and suck as a baseball player than sit here in pain every day.”
As the season winds down, there is a palpable sense of urgency for change within the Rockies’ front office. Sources indicate that significant restructuring is necessary to reverse the franchise’s fortunes. Walker Monfort is seen as a potential catalyst for change, promising to challenge the status quo that has plagued the organization.
With the 2023 season nearing its end, the Rockies face critical decisions that will shape their future. As one rival executive noted, “You’d have a lot of smart people who would want to try to tackle that.” The time for action is now, as the franchise seeks to regain the support of its loyal fan base and restore its competitive edge.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how the Rockies will navigate this dire situation. The franchise’s history of stagnation may soon be challenged, but only time will tell if meaningful change is on the horizon.