The joke in Colorado usually goes: If God’s not a Broncos fan, then why are the sunsets orange and blue? Yes, but the state’s most characteristic feature, the Rocky Mountains, are purple, especially right now.
After an improbable finish to the regular season, Colorado’s other Rockies — the baseball team — are in the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. After an 11-game winning streak and a dramatic, 13-inning comeback win Monday night in the wild-card tiebreaker, they have taken center stage in a city where football usually rules.
Beginning today, the Rockies will play the Philadelphia Phillies for a chance to go to the National League Championship Series.
For fans, it’s a return to 1995, when the Blake Street Bombers carried the team into the playoffs on the last day of the season.
For general manager Dan O’Dowd, it’s vindication for the organization’s homegrown approach. O’Dowd, considered a villain among Rockies faithful after years of finishing near the bottom of the division, set out to develop a team through the minor leagues and let them grow together. It’s working.
And for the players themselves, the playoffs are a culmination of all those years of hard work — and an amazing 14-1 stretch to finish this season.
Ten-year veteran Todd Helton will be in his first playoff game this afternoon. He’ll be supported by the likes of MVP candidate Matt Holliday, rookie of the year hopeful Troy Tulowitzki and ace pitcher Jeff Francis.
We’re impressed by the resilience of these Rockies, who have refused to let their season end. And we’re happy for the fans in the Mile High City — and around Colorado — who have again been drawn together by a great team.
Philadelphia may have brotherly love, but we’ve got the purple mountains’ majesty — and a never-say-die ballclub.
Bring on the Phillies. Go Rockies.
