Win or lose, being part of the World Series has changed attitudes and brought new fans – including 3-year-old Cooper Hertz, below – to both the Colorado Rockies and baseball overall.
We asked several people to reach into their treasure box of World Series memories and size up the 2007 Rockies’ legacy for the team, the state and the sport.
“This solidifies them in a league of their own. They are a World Series team. … We do have a long way to go in terms of baseball culture and true fanaticism. At the end of the day, this year’s team took us to the next level.”
Eric Warner, Flying Dog Brewery president, who attended Game 1 in Boston last week
“It’s a new generation of young players and new fans. If they don’t take it this year, they’ll be back.”
Dave Carlock, dressed as the Statue of Liberty to promote his business
“Grit, determination and the best month of win-or-die baseball that I can remember.”
Gov. Bill Ritter
“Heart.”
Susan Dyroff, 49, left, a high-school registrar from Castle Rock. She and her daughter, Laura Dyroff, 19, searching for World Series tickets at Coors Field.
“Nobody gave them a chance. Everybody counted them out. And I was one of them. Now I’m totally on the bandwagon. I really appreciate them for their courage and persistence. That’s a rarity in the game these days.”
Juan Llaneza, 43, of Denver
“It’s going to help the Rockies out a ton. I think they’re going to start getting a lot more crowd support.”
Josh Benson, commercial roofer from Alva, Okla.
