In 2007, the Colorado Rockies had a magical run to the World Series and were sumarily swept by the Boston Red Sox in just four forgettable games.
So, that’s the Rockies franchise highlight reel. In 33-years, the Rockies have made the postseason just 5-times (only making it as far as the NLCS just one time). For 33-years, they have been a farm team for the MLB with a kickass stadium. Entire generations have grown up not just knowing the Rockies as not just an afterthought, but a “never-thought-of-at-all.” They have been so irrelevent, they aren’t even considered when it’s time to make a joke about ineptitude.
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So, enter the Walton-Penner group’s purchase of a minority stake in Denver’s clown show of a baseball team. Will the Rockies finally have interest in fielding a competitive team? Will the Rockies hold on to home-grown talent instead of trading it away to the Cardinals for whispers and promises? Could the Rockies go to another World Series?
Of course not.
This ownership buy isn’t about improving anything. The Walton-Penner’s are not stupid business people. They see a flawed product that, despite it’s wretched nature, still makes money hand over fist. There’s a reason the Monforts haven’t cared to field competitive teams over the last two decades; they don’t need to. Fans of other teams love to come to watch them beat the ever-loving snot out of the boys in purple while enjoting terrific weather and stunning sunsets. Local fans seem content to watch the Rockies drop balls and strikeout from the comfort of a first class party deck. The emphansis has never been on Colorado basball.
Imagine owning the Broncos without the expectations?
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Unless the Walton-Penner’s ownership buy was to position themselves to eventually grow their stake into a majority one, there is zero chance that things on Blake Street is going to change. The infusion of cash will quickly fade and in the end, the Monforts are going to do what Monforts have done, and that is contribute absolutely nothing to the game or culture of baseball in the last 33-years. They will continue to prove that magical run into the Boston buzzsaw of 2007 was made in spite ownership and not because of it.
To have the freedom to not care about what happens on the field, knowing that opposing teams, teams who care about baseball and winning, will fill your stadium has to be incredibly attractive. It’s probably one of the most unique opportunities in the history of sport to jump on such easy money. You can’t blame them for wanting a piece of that dysfunctional pie.
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