My All-Time Colorado Rockies 40-Man Roster

My heart belongs to the Colorado Rockies first and foremost. There are so many people who were a part of that team who have a special place in my heart. The team has been around for nearly thirty years, and a slew of amazing players have been members ever since the team played their first season back in 1993. Here is my all-time Colorado Rockies 40-man roster.

Troy Tulowitzki. My all-time favorite player, tied for first place along with Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. Also my first famous human crush. I mean, who wouldn’t be impressed with a player who is a five-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, a two-time National League Player of the Month, a five-time National League Player of the week, and a Home Run Derby participant? I will forever be impressed by that!

Nolan Arenado. This boy is without a doubt the love of my life. He’s also the best third baseman in the sport, at least from my perspective. Nolan’s a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a four-time Platinum Glove Award winner, a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time NL Player of the Month for a reason! I swear, he was born wearing cleats and batting gloves. That’s the only explanation of why he’s so dang talented.

Larry Walker. Larry Walker is a Hall of Famer. He also is the 1997 National League MVP, a five-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner. Plus, his jersey number, 33, has been retired. It’s literally and figuratively impossible to change my mind that Larry is in the top seven most legendary players that the Colorado Rockies, or as I like to call them, the Black Vest Boys, have ever had in the entire world.

Todd Helton. Todd Helton is the true Toddfather. His amazing and award-winning career proves he deserves the nickname. The fact that he’s a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, a four-time NL player of the month, and five-time NL player of the week is only the beginning. He’s also a Hank Aaron Award winner, a Home Run Derby participant, an Oddity of the Year Award Winner, an Outstanding Player of the Year Award winner, and an Arizona Fall League Hall of Famer. Plus, his jersey number has been retired. If that’s not enough to get him to the MLB Hall of Fame, I’m not sure what is.

Trevor Story. This handsome Texan blue-eyed redhead stole my heart the second he started playing in 2016. I also have a huge crush on his two All-Star Game appearances, two Silver Slugger Awards, NL Rookie of the Month recognition, three NL Player of the Week recognitions, Lou Brock Award, and Baseball America Major League All-Rookie Team recognition. He’s an absolute king, on offense and defense. I can testify to that statement, having seen him play at Coors Field seven times already. Things are only gonna get better for Trevor.

See the source image — Trevor Story and his wife, Mallie (Credit: PlayersWiki)

Charlie Blackmon. Josie’s on a vacation far away. She wants to let you know that Chuck Nazty has four All-Star Game appearances, two Silver Slugger Awards, two NL Player of the Month recognitions, six NL Player of the Week recognitions, and two Heart and Hustle Award winners. Not only that, but he also participated in the 2017 Home Run Derby. He even shined brighter than nineteen dozen diamonds when he was in the Minor Leagues! He was a short-season All-Star, postseason All-Star, and a Player of the Week with the Tri-City Dust Devils in 2008. Charlie is an absolute amazing outfielder. Change my mind.

Dante Bichette. He is the absolute hero of the very first Coors Field game! Plus, Dante has four All-Star Game appearances, a Silver Slugger Award, a Home Run Derby appearance, four National League Player of the Month recognitions, an American League Player of the Month recognition, and six NL Player of the Week recognitions. What a talented player! He’s set a great example for his sons.

Joe Girardi. Yes, the Joe Girardi, the baseball manager. He is a four-time World Series champion, three times as a player and once as a manager. He also appeared in an All-Star game and won a Manager of the Year Award in 2006. He’s a sensational example of a good player and good manager. Heck, he might be one of the best baseball managers on planet Earth.

Justin Morneau. Probably my favorite Canadian infielder ever. He’s the 2006 AL MVP, plus a four-time All-Star, the AL Player of the Month in May 2007, a two-time Silver Slugger Award Winner, and a two-time AL Player of the Week. Plus, he participated in three Home Run Derbies, winning in 2008. Furthermore, he has won the Twins Calvin R. Griffith MVP Award twice, the Twins Carl R. Pohland Award in 2009, and four Twins Leadership Awards. The whipped cream on the pumpkin pie? He was a two-time Futures Game Selection and a Minor League Baseball Postseason All-Star. I really and truly hope that he gets onto the MLB Hall of Fame ballot. He would more than deserve the honor.

Rafael Betancourt. He was one of my favorites in my mid-to-late teenage years. Between his debut in 2003 and his retirement following the 2015 season, he was a hard worker and really impressed me. During his career with two teams, he racked up an Earned Run Average of 3.36, 75 saves, 724 strikeouts, and 1.11 Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched. That’s an impressive pitching resume from my standpoint. I’d like to take the time to congratulate him on his accomplishments.

Corey Dickerson. He’s got that Mississippi magic. Corey got the magic started in the minors. His achievements consist of an Arizona Fall League Rising Stars recognition, Post-Season All-Star recognition with two teams, a Mid-Season All-Star recognition, Player of the Week recognitions with two teams, a Short-Season/Rookie recognition, and three MiLB.com Organization All-Star recognitions. Things only got better for Corey in the Majors; as he has an All-Star appearance, two Heart and Hustle Awards, a Player of the Week recognition, and a Gold Glove Award under his belt. I’m so proud of Corey and want only the best things for him.

Kyle Freeland. There’s no secret that I’m a Kyle Freeland Gal. Considering the fact that he was named to the 2017 All-Rookie Team, was an Arizona Fall League Rising Star, and was an MiLB.com Organization All-Star, it’s no secret he set himself up to do his absolute best. So far, he has 405 strikeouts, 1.40 WHIP, and a 4.13 ERA. I mentioned in my post The Science Behind Being A Kyle Freeland Guy/Gal that I hope he wins the prestigious Cy Young Award soon. Hopefully Kyle will have the most magical season ever in 2021. Only good energy for my favorite pitcher.

Garrett Hampson. I say G, you say Hamp! His amazing start in the minors set him up for success. He was a Short-Season All-Star, a Player of the Week, a Post-Season All-Star, a two-time Mid-Season All Star, and an MiLB.com Organization All-Star. He’s also good at hitting triples, as he was fourth in the National League in 2020 to do so. I do hope that Garrett keeps up the amazing work. I would really love to see him in the All-Star Game one day.

Brad Hawpe. I will forever be grateful that he took a photo with my family even though he was instructed to go to the dugout to get ready for the game. The Texas boy went to the 2009 All-Star Game and was player of the week twice during the magical 2007 season. He also was really good at hitting to second base as he was fifth in the National League in 2009 for doubles. I will forever appreciate Brad. I have two posters in my childhood bedroom, one of the 2010 Colorado Rockies and another of Brad himself.

Huston Street. Huston rules! This king has had himself an award-winning career: the 2005 American League Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, DHL Delivery Man of the Month, two-time NL Player of the Week, Baseball America Rookie of the Year, and MLB Players Choice Outstanding Rookie. Not only that, but during his career, he has recorded 324 saves, 665 strikeouts, 1.07 WHIP, and an ERA of 2.95. He is an absolute king who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Ryan Spilborghs. Mr. Spilly has blessed my upper arm. He was the Player of the Week and a Mid-Season All-Star with the Tulsa Drillers back in 2005. During his short career, he stacked 42 home runs, 660 total bases, 86 doubles, 12 triples, and 218 Runs Batted In. Although his career was short, it is barbarically underrated in my opinion. I like to think he walked so that the current Rockies outfielders could run.

Sam Hilliard. He’s so amazing at batting that he deserves to be known as Slammy Boy. This Texas boy got his great start in the minor leagues: a two-time Mid-Season All-Star, a Player of the Week, a Post-Season All-Star, an MiLB.com Organization All-Star, and an Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team recognition. Plus, this past season, he was tenth in the National League for triples. Ever since his debut on August 27, 2019, Sam has racked up 26 runs, 13 home runs, 23 RBI, and five stolen bases. Can you say, future MLB All-Star?

Ubaldo Jimenez. One of my favorite Rockies pitchers in history. Heck, he is in the top seven best pitchers in franchise history. He got his magic started in the minors: three minor league Pitcher of the Week recognitions, two Mid-Season All-Star recognitions, a Post-Season All-Star recognition, and an All-Star Game Top Star recognition. Things only got better for Ubaldo, as he has an All-Star Game appearance, two NL Pitcher of the Month recognitions, an AL Pitcher of the Month recognition, and an NL Player of the Week recognition. On top of that, he is the only pitcher in Colorado Rockies history to pitch a no-hitter! What an elite human!

DJ LeMahieu. Go DJ, that’s my DJ! This brutally talented member of society got a head start on his magical career in the minors with his Post-Season All-Star and MiLB.com Organizational All-Star recognitions. He shined in the majors, too! He has three All-Star Game appearances, two Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Glove Awards, two Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards, a Wilson Team Defensive Player of the Year Award, an AL Player of the Month recognition, two AL Player of the Week recognition, and two Heart and Hustle Awards under his belt. That is one talented and humble human. Can you say, future Hall of Famer?

German Marquez. The Kaiser has earned his nickname. He’s my favorite active Rockies pitcher, tied for first with Kyle Freeland. He began shining in the Minor Leagues, with two Pitcher of the Week recognitions, a Pitcher of the Year recognition, a Mid-Season All-Star recognition, two MiLB.com Organizational All-Star recognitions, and a Baseball America Double-A All-Star recognition. Things only got better for him in the Majors, with a Baseball America Major League All-Rookie Team, an NL Pitcher of the Month Recognition, and a Silver Slugger Award. Can you say, future Cy Young Award winner?

Michael Cuddyer. My Michael Cuddyer T-Shirt is one of my most prized pieces of apparel. The kind, talented Virginia-born man got a head start early on, with a Post-Season All-Star recognition in 2001 and a Futures Game Selection in 1999. He left a magical impression with the Minnesota Twins; with two Twins Good Guy Awards, a Twins Calvin R. Griffith Award, a Twins Carl R. Pohland Award, three Twins Leadership Awards, and two Twins Most Improved Awards. He also shined throughout his career in general, with two All-Star Game appearances, a Silver Slugger Award, a Home Run Derby appearance, an AL Player of the Week recognition, and three Heart and Hustle Awards. If I were a baseball writer, I would vote for him on the Hall of Fame ballot in a heartbeat!

Chris Ianetta. One of my favorite all-time catchers. He shined in the minor leagues, with a Player of the Week recognition in May 2005, a Mid-Season All-Star recognition in 2006, a Baseball America Minor League All-Star in 2006, and a Futures Game Selection in 2005. He got an AL Player of the Week recognition in the autumn of 2013. In addition to that, he has 449 runs, 820 hits, 141 home runs, 502 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. He has left a great impression on the sport.

Adam Ottavino. This man throws some really unfair pitches that are just beautiful. The Brooklyn Boy has four Minor League recognitions: two Pitcher of the Week recognitions, a Mid-Season All-Star recognition, and a Post-Season All-Star recognition. Plus, he has 19 saves and 577 strikeouts under his belt. I actually got to witness Adam in person myself, twice. I was brutally impressed and pleased!

Andres Galarraga. A blast from the past, an amazing one, too! He’s a five-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, a two-time NL Player of the Week, a two-time Player of the Month, and an MLB Players Choice NL Comeback Player. His career statistics include 1,195 runs; 2,333 hits; 399 home runs; 1,425 RBI, and 128 stolen bases. Can you say, Future Hall of Famer?

Cory Sullivan. One of the first impressions I had of him is that he’s a bubbly and outgoing human. In his brief career, Cory knocked in 156 runs, 305 hits, 10 home runs, 97 RBI, and 32 stolen bases. I also fondly remember seeing Opening Day 2005 being broadcasted on the Colorado Rockies Facebook page. It was really awesome seeing Cory play a role in the beautiful win. I also recall seeing that inning during the Stay-At-Home Opener project. I am very proud of Cory’s accomplishments!

Matt Holliday. The great debate continues: did he or did he not reach home plate that night in 2007? Nevertheless, he shined brighter than the finest gemstones. His achievements include an Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame recognition, two Darryl Kile Awards, seven NL Player of the Week recognitions, an NL Player of the Month recognition, three Home Run Derby appearances, four Silver Slugger Awards, a National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player recognition, seven All-Star Game appearances, and a World Series Championship. That has got to be one of the most decorated players in Colorado Rockies history! PS: Can you say, future Hall of Famer?

Carlos Gonzalez. I like to call him the finest outfielder that ever lived. In the Minors he was a two-time Post-Season All-Star, a two-time Player of the Week, an MVP, a League Championship MVP, a Prospect of the Year, a Futures Game Selection, a Prospect of the Year, a Baseball America Low Class A All-Star, and a Baseball America High Class A All-Star! Things only got better for Car-Go in the Majors: three All-Star Game appearances, two Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Glove Awards, a Wilson Team Defensive Player of the Year recognition, two Home Run Derby appearances, an NL Player of the Month recognition, five NL Player of the Week recognitions, a Breakout Everyday Player of the Year MLB.com Award, an MLB Players Choice Player of the Year Award, and an MLB Players Choice NL Player of the Year Award! Can you say, Future Hall of Famer?

Melvin Mora. The first player I saw in person to hit a home run. He has two All-Star Game appearances, a Silver Slugger Award, two AL Player of the Month recognitions, and two AL Player of the Week recognitions. His career statistics consist of 1,503 hits; 794 runs; 171 home runs, 754 RBI, and 93 stolen bases. I still remember when I got to see him during Photo Day 2010. I loved getting to hear the home run song and clapping my hands over my head to celebrate Mr. Mora hitting a homer.

Jason Hammel. Loved getting to see him at Coors Field during my first in-person Rockies game! The South Carolina native was a Mid-Season All-Star with the Montgomery Biscuits and a two-time Pitcher of the Week with the Durham Bulls. He also has four saves and 1,428 strikeouts under his belt. I remember the excitement I felt watching him play. I remember saying “Let’s go Hammy!”

Scott Podsednik. Scotty Pods has been someone I admired. The Texas boy has a Harvey Kuenn Award, an MLB Player’s Choice NL Outstanding Rookie, an MLB.com Awards Rookie of the Year Awards, a Lou Brock Award, an All-Star Game Appearance, and, best of all, a World Series Championship! His career stats include 563 runs; 1,096 hits; 42 home runs; 312 RBI; and 309 stolen bases. I fondly remember doing an assignment on the Colorado Rockies for a language arts class in eighth grade. I found a poem on Scott to analyze for the project, and I’m glad I did.

Josh Fuentes. Nolan Arenado’s cousin definitely learned from the best. He shined brighter than the world’s finest gemstones when he was in the minors: a three-time Player of the Week with two teams, two Post-Season All-Star recognitions with two teams, a Player of the Month recognition, a Triple-A All-Star Game Top Star recognition, a PCL Rookie of the Year, a PCL Most Valuable Player, and an Organization All-Star recognition. Ever since his debut in 2019, Josh racked in 22 runs, 42 hits, five home runs, 24 RBI, and two stolen bases. I have to wonder if it’s in the Arenado extended family DNA to be talented at whatever they put their minds to.

Seth Smith. One of my favorite people to wear the number seven. This very wonderful human was a Post-Season All-Star, a three-time Player of the Week, and a Mid-Season All-Star as a Minor Leaguer. As a Major Leaguer, Seth was a Heart and Hustle Award winner and a two-time NL Player of the Week. When it comes to career statistics, Seth has 525 hits, 934 hits, 126 home runs, 458 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. I’m very proud of Seth and his accomplishments!

Ian Stewart. He was one of my favorite players when I was in middle school. He got a very good start in the Minor Leagues: two Post-Season All-Star recognitions with two teams, two Player of the Week recognitions, a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star recognition, and a Futures Game Selection. During his time with the Major Leagues, he was Player of Week during the summer of 2009. He also has some impressive career statistics: 202 runs, 341 hits, 61 home runs, 221 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Ian will forever be one of my favorites.

Raimel Tapia. Con Mucho Swagger! This man is scary good. Who is unimpressed with the fact he has three Post-Season All-Star recognitions with three teams, two Mid-Season All-Star recognitions with two teams, an MiLB.com Player of the Year recognition, a Topps Player of the Year recognition, a Topps Short-Season/Rookie All-Star recognition, four MiLB.com Organization All-Star recognitions, an Arizona Fall League Rising Stars recognition, an AFL All-Prospect Team recognition, and two Futures Game Selections? Not me! I am highly impressed with that. I am also impressed with Raimel’s 117 career runs, 237 career hits, 13 career home runs, 86 career RBI, and 25 career stolen bases. He will only get scarier good as time goes on.

Garrett Atkins. He walked so Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado could run. The UCLA alumnus was a Post-Season All-Star in 2004 as Minor Leaguer, and a two-time Player of the Week as a Major Leaguer in 2006. He knocks my socks off with his 399 career runs, 835 career hits, 99 career home runs, 488 career RBI, and eight career stolen bases. I appreciate all he has done during his career.

Tom Murphy. Tom is a wonderful person to have around, in my opinion, based on my experience meeting him. The upstate New York native earned four Player of the Week recognitions, a Player of the Month recognition, two Mid-Season All-Star recognitions, a Topps Class A All-Star recognition, a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star recognition, and two Organization All-Star recognitions as a Minor Leaguer. Plus, last year, he won the Mariners Unsung Hero Award. I do hope that Tom gets an appearance in the All-Star Game. He also is deserving of a Heart and Hustle Award, at least from my perspective.

Ryan McMahon. RyMac and Cheese, baby! This Southern California-born king got a head start in the Minor Leagues, so wonderful he might have been the most magical member of the Rockies farm system since sliced bread. In the farm system (another name for the Minor Leagues), Ryan earned his stripes in the form of five Player of the Week recognitions, two Mid-Season All-Star recognitions, two Post-Season All-Star recognitions, a Baseball America Low Class A All-Star recognition, a Baseball America High Class A All-Star recognition, a Fans’ Choice for Best Offense Player Award, a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star recognition, two Organization All-Star recognitions, a Baseball America Minor League All-Star recognition, an Arizona Fall League Rising Stars recognition, and a Futures Game Selection! Can you say, potential All-Star Game material?

Clint Barmes. The 2005 Opening Day Hero himself! The Indiana native earned two Post-Season All-Star recognitions and a Mid-Season All-Star recognition in the Colorado Rockies Minor League system. Plus, he’s a two-time Heart and Hustle Award winner with the Colorado Rockies. As if there’s any doubt to his awesomeness, Clint has the following career batting statistics, 434 runs, 932 hits, 89 home runs, 425 RBI, and 43 stolen bases. In my opinion, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Tony Wolters. Tony Flipping Wolters! The amazing man was a Mid-Season All-Star when he was in the Cleveland Baseball Team’s Minor League System. Plus, he was the Heart and Hustle Award Winner for the Rockies in 2019. I am impressed with his 123 RBI, to me, that translates into a person you can trust to walk the game off and complete the four-game sweep of the division rival.

David Dahl. Literally one of the nicest athletes anyone can ever meet! He proved his place early on, with two Mid-Season All-Star recognitions, two Post-Season All-Star recognitions, a Most Valuable Player recognition, a Topps Player of the Year recognition, a Topps Short-Season/Rookie All-Star recognition, a Baseball America Low Class A All-Star recognition, a Baseball America Minor League All-Star recognition, a Baseball America Major League All-Rookie Team recognition, four Organization All-Star recognitions, and a Futures Game Selection. I’m proud of David’s NL Player of the Week recognition and 2019 All-Star game recognition. I do hope his future includes more All-Star Game appearances.