2004 Colorado Rockies

As hungry as the Colorado Rockies' fans were to see Major League Baseball in Denver, it's no surprise that this franchise sells more tickets than nearly any other team. Even in years like this, when the pitchers can't keep up with the mile-high air and opponents consistently outscore the Rockies, Coors Field is the place to be in Denver.

The Colorado Rockies franchise has a brief yet exciting history. They came into Major League Baseball in 1993, joining the National League West Division, and forming immediate rivalries with such teams as the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres. Despite being a new team, the Rockies became an almost immediate contender playing in the cold air of Denver. Their tickets were a hot commodity at the large Mile High Stadium, and over 80,000 people attended their first home game. They went to the post season for the first and only time in 1995, led by the managing of Don Baylor and the power hitting of the "Blake Street Bombers," Andrés Gallaraga, Dante Bichette, Larry Walker, and Vinny Castilla.

The current Colorado Rockies team is led by their perennial All-Star first baseman, Todd Helton and hard-hitting center fielder Preston Wilson. They are managed by first-time manager and former Rockies hitting coach Clint Hurdle. The Rockies have always had trouble finding pitchers who can adjust to the high altitude of Denver, but they have found at least one answer in young pitching sensation Shawn Chacon, who grew up in Colorado. With the strong pitching of Chacon and the solid offense, the Rockies should consistently be able to remain competitive in the National League West.

In 1995, the Rockies moved out of their temporary home, Mile High Stadium, and into their brand new baseball-only stadium, Coors Field. Coors Field is widely thought of as one of the nicest stadiums in all of baseball. The 76-acre ballpark stands at 20th and Blake streets in Denver's lower downtown ("LoDo") district. Fans sitting in the first-base and right-field areas are treated to a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. Every year since it opened in 1995, Coors has been a league leader in attendance. A signature of the ballpark is the purple row of seats in the upper deck, meant to signify the mile-high altitude point.

Baseball games at Coors Field are always high-scoring and exciting because of the thin atmosphere. It is estimated that a ball hit 400 feet at Yankee Stadium travels 440 feet at Coors Field because of the thin air, thus providing the high scores. There are 18 different pricing and seating selections at Coors Field, providing each fan the opportunity to find a ticket that is in his or her price range.

Other sporting events make Denver a good sports town. The Denver Broncos of the NFL play at the brand new Invesco Field located just west of Interstate 25. The Broncos are almost always a contender in the NFL, winning back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999 under Quarterback John Elway. Another perennial contender in Denver is the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, who have won multiple championships since moving to Denver in the mid 1990s. They play their home games at the Pepsi Center along with Carmelo Anthony and the NBA's Denver Nuggets, a young up-and-coming franchise with a bright future.

The Colorado Rockies should remain a competitive team for years to come in the National League West. The exciting games at Coors Field will always make Rockies tickets a good buy.