Rockies Fever
Rockies Look to Opening Day in Denver Against Rival Diamondbacks
Ryan Hatch
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Sports
|
The Rockies and Cardinals kicked things off yesterday at Busch Stadium but were rained out after just three innings of play -- to the liking of starting pitcher Jeff Francis and the Rockies who were trailing 5-1.
The Rockies will now play three straight games in St. Louis before hosting the Diamondbacks in Denver for the Rockies home opener on Friday.
Tickets for the game, however, have been harder to come by for some fans due to the Rockies' playoff run last year and the heightened excitement for opening day at Coors Field.
"We actually go to opening day every year for the most part, this was the first year it was ever hard to buy a ticket," life-long Rockies fan Nell Lockhart said. "But we've been really really excited about the Rockies for years and years and years and so it's just fun that everyone else is excited about it."
The Rockies' magical run last year took them all the way to the World Series after winning 21 of 22 games until being overpowered in four games to the Boston Red Sox. The core group of players responsible for the success remain on the team after Rockies' ownership decided to give many of the players contract extensions over the off-season. The team signed outfield slugger Matt Holliday to a two-year deal and runner-up rookie of the year Troy Tulowitzki to a record breaking six year, $31-million contract.
New and old fans alike are looking forward to opening day against Arizona on Friday as the Rockies will hold ceremonies commemorating their NL Pennant Championship.
Mike Thompson of Denver said he has always rooted for the Diamondbacks but now that he's been relocated to Denver, the Rockies are beginning to grow on him.
"I'm getting there, I'm becoming one. I live here now so I have to be," he said.
The Diamondbacks will visit Denver for a three-game set with opening day beginning at 2:05 and will conclude with night games on Saturday and Sunday.
Watch the Video
Be the first to comment on this story