200/200
These days, as Colorado rockies(see "To 'R' or Not To 'R'") fans, it seems we must resort to either reminiscing or looking to the future. Allow me to reminisce for a bit. (I will look forward in a future article.) There was a period in the mid to late 90's when the rox put up offensive numbers that were staggering. I dug into my good ole' lahman database to look up some statistics.
Author's note: There's a handful of sources I refer to for baseball statistics and information. 1) A database of statistics from 1871-2003 by Scott Lahman available at www.baseball1.com. 2) www.retrosheet.org - My favorite - too much information to list here. 3) www.thebaseballcube.com - see #2. 4) www.baseball-almanac.com - Records and other fun stuff. 5) www.baseballamerica.com and www.minorleaguebaseball.com - Minor league scores, stats, etc.
Here's what I found. The rox led the NL in home runs from '95-'99 and runs scored '95-'97. They had one of the best collections of power hitters for any one team ever. Did they benefit from playing at Coors Field(CF for short)? Absolutely, but to what extent will forever be debated. Regardless, it was an impressive offensive era.
One particular year sticks out in my mind, 1996. This team was not only powerful, but also fast. That team became, and remains, the only team in MLB history to hit 200+ home runs and steal 200+ bases in one season. Team statistics like this require more than one or two players having a great season. Nearly every starter and a couple reserve players contributed to this remarkable season.
Here is the primary lineup and their home run and stolen base totals. "EY", Eric Young, 2B, eight home runs and 53 stolen bases to lead the NL. Ellis Burks, CF/RF, 40 hr and 32 sb. Young and Burks were known as "E-train" for their ability to get on base in front of the 3-5 hitters. Dante Bichette, LF, 31 hr and 31 sb. "The Big Cat", Andres Galarraga, 1B, 47 hr(led NL) and 18 sb. Now, at first glance, 18 stolen bases may not seem like much. However, it's a lot for a guy who has "Big" as part of his nickname. (Another longtime firstbaseman, "The Big Hurt", Frank Thomas, has 32 in his entire career through August 2004.) Larry Walker, RF, 18 hr and 18 sb. Walker was injured for much of the season and only played 83 games. Not bad for half of a season. Vinny Castilla, 3B, 40 hr and seven sb. Bichette, Galarraga, Walker and Castilla(and Burks by some) were called The Blake Street Bombers. Jeff Reed, C, eight hr and two sb. Walt Weiss, SS, eight hr and 10 sb. John VanderWal was the primary pinch hitter and even contributed five hr and two sb. Given Walker's injuries, the fourth outfielder, "Q", Quinton McCracken, played 124 games and had three hr and 17 sb.
A couple of interesting facts should help put these statistics into perspective. For many years, 30/30, 30 hr and 30 sb in one season, has been considered a major accomplishment. From 1871-2003, only 38 times has a player reached 30/30. In 1996, the rox had TWO players, Bichette and Burks, that were 30/30 guys. This had been done only once before, in 1987 by Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry for the New York Mets. The rox also had four players with 100+ rbi. In 1996, this had not been done in baseball since 1980 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the AL and had not been done in the NL since 1929 by the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs.
It's truly rare to find a team of players with the combination of power and speed to reach the levels the rox did in 1996. I think it's safe to say that baseball may not see another team with statistics like that for quite some time and, we as rockies fans may never see a season like it again. I feel fortunate that I was there as a fan to witness that season.
Author's note: There's a handful of sources I refer to for baseball statistics and information. 1) A database of statistics from 1871-2003 by Scott Lahman available at www.baseball1.com. 2) www.retrosheet.org - My favorite - too much information to list here. 3) www.thebaseballcube.com - see #2. 4) www.baseball-almanac.com - Records and other fun stuff. 5) www.baseballamerica.com and www.minorleaguebaseball.com - Minor league scores, stats, etc.
Here's what I found. The rox led the NL in home runs from '95-'99 and runs scored '95-'97. They had one of the best collections of power hitters for any one team ever. Did they benefit from playing at Coors Field(CF for short)? Absolutely, but to what extent will forever be debated. Regardless, it was an impressive offensive era.
One particular year sticks out in my mind, 1996. This team was not only powerful, but also fast. That team became, and remains, the only team in MLB history to hit 200+ home runs and steal 200+ bases in one season. Team statistics like this require more than one or two players having a great season. Nearly every starter and a couple reserve players contributed to this remarkable season.
Here is the primary lineup and their home run and stolen base totals. "EY", Eric Young, 2B, eight home runs and 53 stolen bases to lead the NL. Ellis Burks, CF/RF, 40 hr and 32 sb. Young and Burks were known as "E-train" for their ability to get on base in front of the 3-5 hitters. Dante Bichette, LF, 31 hr and 31 sb. "The Big Cat", Andres Galarraga, 1B, 47 hr(led NL) and 18 sb. Now, at first glance, 18 stolen bases may not seem like much. However, it's a lot for a guy who has "Big" as part of his nickname. (Another longtime firstbaseman, "The Big Hurt", Frank Thomas, has 32 in his entire career through August 2004.) Larry Walker, RF, 18 hr and 18 sb. Walker was injured for much of the season and only played 83 games. Not bad for half of a season. Vinny Castilla, 3B, 40 hr and seven sb. Bichette, Galarraga, Walker and Castilla(and Burks by some) were called The Blake Street Bombers. Jeff Reed, C, eight hr and two sb. Walt Weiss, SS, eight hr and 10 sb. John VanderWal was the primary pinch hitter and even contributed five hr and two sb. Given Walker's injuries, the fourth outfielder, "Q", Quinton McCracken, played 124 games and had three hr and 17 sb.
A couple of interesting facts should help put these statistics into perspective. For many years, 30/30, 30 hr and 30 sb in one season, has been considered a major accomplishment. From 1871-2003, only 38 times has a player reached 30/30. In 1996, the rox had TWO players, Bichette and Burks, that were 30/30 guys. This had been done only once before, in 1987 by Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry for the New York Mets. The rox also had four players with 100+ rbi. In 1996, this had not been done in baseball since 1980 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the AL and had not been done in the NL since 1929 by the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs.
It's truly rare to find a team of players with the combination of power and speed to reach the levels the rox did in 1996. I think it's safe to say that baseball may not see another team with statistics like that for quite some time and, we as rockies fans may never see a season like it again. I feel fortunate that I was there as a fan to witness that season.
posted by Todd Nikkel | 11:30 PM
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