Rockin’ Memories

This morning I spent some time talking with Paul Parker, manager of the Rockies’ Community Fields Program and the club’s historian.

Having lived in Denver for six wonderful years — and attending the Rockies’ first home game ever at Mile High Stadium, and later the inaugural game at Coors Field — I developed an affinity for the only club in the Mountain time zone.

I sure wish I could attend the Rockies-Tigers game tonight (or tomorrow or Sunday) but will have to do without. The photo you see here, taken by yours truly, features Doug Hill at the Rockies’ first Opening Day on April 9, 1993. The team made the environmentally unfriendly decision to release a flock of purple-and silver balloons just before the first pitch.

I’ve grown weary of interleague play, but this is a series that intrigues me.

Final note: If over the weekend the Tigers were to swap, oh let’s say, Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen for Todd Helton and Matt Holliday, I’d be okay with it.