They say hope springs eternal when it comes to baseball.
But on Friday at Coors Field, under bitter cold and, at times, wet, heavy snow, Mother Nature didn’t seem to get the part about it being spring.
Fans, though, played their role in remaining hopeful, even as the Rockies lost 8-3 after getting off to a rough start.
“It’s our time,” Thornton resident Arthur Ramirez said on his way to his seventh — and chilliest — Rockies opening day. He was wearing three layers. And gloves. And ear muffs. “We’re going to make a run.”
A sea of bundled-up Rockies fans jump-started Lower Downtown in the annual tradition of ringing in the team’s home opener, though in weather more appropriate for the ski hill than a baseball field — and after an hour-long snow delay. The chilly, gray day didn’t keep people from enjoying the reawakening of the ball field in the heart of the city, even as crowds were far lighter, and more heavily dressed, than in years past.
When the first pitch was finally tossed by Rockies starter German Marquez, bravely wearing short sleeves, at 3:11 p.m., it was 27 degrees — the second coldest start to a game in Coors Field history, and the coldest for a home opener.
“Today’s a little chilly,” said Aurora resident Josh Pugh, sporting a massive, colorful mohawk haircut that took his wife 11 hours to create. “It doesn’t matter. Still got to come.”
Josh Pugh of Aurora wins my fan of the day award. He says his wife created this hair style over 11 hours. I asked him how he slept last night. “I rested,” he said.
He said he just wishes people would stop coming up and trying to touch it.
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
People lined up a dozen deep at Coors Field’s home-plate entrance at least two hours before the gates opened, pushing to get inside, where hot cocoa and coffee were in high demand, and blankets and sweatshirts were selling fast at the team store. The concourses were filled with fans outfitted in hooded parkas, ski masks, deerskin gloves and beanies, all of them thawing out under the familiar and sweet stadium smells of hot dogs and cheese steaks.
Some even had goggles on to shield their eyes.
How people are thawing out — under the smells of hot dogs and cheese steaks. Still only a few people in their seats.
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
Sam Kelley, of Broomfield, and a co-worker were among a smattering of fans who braved the cold to be the first to their seats about two hours before the 2:10 p.m. scheduled first pitch in the matchup against the Atlanta Braves. From their spot just a few rows from first base, the pair snapped photos of the Rockies grounds crew scraping ice and snow off a tarp covering the infield.
“We’ve talked about coming to opening day for years,” Kelley, from beneath a scarf, said of his first Rockies home opener. “I’m never going to be this close again.”
A grinning Kelley, who was wearing four layers to try to keep warm, said he’s retiring soon, so this was one of his last chances to join his colleague for an opening-day outing — something they’ve been talking about doing for years.
These two are basically the only ones in their seats. On the right is Sam Kelley of Broomfield, with a coworker. Itap his first opening day. He’s wearing four layers.
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
Coal Creek Canyon resident Patty Hughes — more of a veteran, with three Rockies’ home openers under her belt — also was bundled up in several layers.
“Just a little chiller than Arizona!” she joked, a reference to her time watching the Rockies at spring training.
Hughes’ friend Chris Fredericks, of Thornton, said the weather wasn’t going to faze anyone at the ballpark.
“Everybody is happy,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what the weather is.”
As for her team?
“We’re gonna go,” she said. “You could see a real chemical aura (at spring training).”
The area around Coors Field — decked out in purple for the occasion — was bustling by noon as a light snow fell, the annual celebration amplified by the fact that it’s the Rockies’ 25th anniversary. Mayor Michael Hancock even proclaimed the day “Colorado Rockies Purple Friday.”
It seemed no one really minded that the Rockies weren’t winning, cheering as loud as ever when outfielder Carlos Gonzales and shortstop Trevor Story each hit home runs in the fourth inning. The crowd was a sellout — at 48,216 — although by the looks of the seats, far fewer actually committed to watching the whole game.
Linda Goodman, of Englewood, and her husband, Reid, were all in — donning down jackets, snow pants and even hand warmers under their gloves. The two have been season-ticket holders since the Rockies inception and have been to six opening days, and said it didn’t matter how cold it was, what the skies unleashed or even whether their team won (although they had hoped the Rockies would have).
“It’s a time to be with my wife,” Reid Goodman said. “It’s just time together.”
Usually on opening day there are long lines at the ticket booths. Today? Not so much. Blake Street is definitely bundled up and not too busy.
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
Field looks… cold?
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
That purple stripe for the
— Jeremy Moore (@JeremyDanMoore)
