Will’s Cardio Column Day 1
Despite not being a Rockies fan, I spent both my formative, and majority of the years of my life on earth in Boulder, Colorado. Meaning I spent every spring and Summer watching the Rockies, and was fortunate enough to be at Coors Field for Game 4 of the 2007 World Series, and the infamous Matt Holiday slide in the wildcard game. Growing up watching this team constantly, and thanks to a conversation with my Dad where he ranted about Kris Bryant for 20 minutes, I had a surge of inspiration to write the ‘Rockies Mount Rushmore.’ Some of this may be subjective, and older players that I didn’t have the luxury of watching due to my age, will be left out. But here’s my Rockies Mount Rushmore
Charlie Blackmon
I mean it doesn’t get anymore obvious than Chuck Nasty. Lifelong Rockie, 4-time All Star, career 20 WAR, .295/.355/.424. I genuinely feel like he’s been there forever and not since just 2011, but he’s a damn icon.
Troy Tulowitzki
Despite never winning MVP, or ROY, the dude was one of the best to play SS from 2007-2013. Always wondered what his career would’ve looked like had he not been plagued by injuries. Truly a fan favorite in Colorado, and although his drop off was fast, has the peak and was around for the WS run, he deserves it.
Carlos Gonzáles
One of the prettiest left-handed swings of the 2000’s, with a very impressive 10 year stretch. 3-time All Star, nearly an MVP in 2010, he was always one of my favorites to watch in Coors Field.
Todd Helton
If you think Helton didn’t deserve HOF, you’re wrong. One of the best power hitting 1B to ever do it, 369 HR, 1406 RBI, 61.8 WAR with a career .316/.414/.539 slash line. Sure the DUI was not a good look, but he’s one of the best to ever do it, and a lifelong Rockie, bled Purple and Black.
Aaron Cook
This one may be confusing, but don’t let the career 4.60 ERA fool you. Holding that over a 8-year span at Coors is not easy. The true back bone of the WS run staff and he still posted only a 3.96 ERA in an All Star season. He threw 211 innings to a 1.344 WHIP, only struck out 96 batters (yes this is real), and was one of the OG Gamers (SO Discuss Baseball).
Matt Holliday
Putting him in here even though he spent just 5 years in the 303, because of how impactful he was at the beginning of his career. Picked up 137 RBI on 36 HR in the 2007 WS year, and hit over .290 in every year in Colorado. So much fun to watch, shame he didn’t spend more time there.
