So the title might be a bit cheesy, but it's fitting. In the summer of 2007, Transformers came out and wowed audiences around the US. In October of that very year, the Rockies went on a magical run to the World Series that captured the hearts of (almost) every baseball fan in the US.
In June 2009, they did it again. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen became the 10th most successful summer blockbuster with an opening weekend at $112 million. 3 weeks before the blockbuster hit the big screens, the Rockies hosted the World Premiere of Rocktober II: Revenge of the Forgotten. Only an estimated 100,000 attended the beginning of Rocktober II. Now, however, the Rockies are starting to become this summer's biggest blockbuster.
Flashback to May 28. The Reeling Rockies were 18-28, 10 games under .500, 14.5 games behind the Dodgers, 6 games under .500 at home, and suffered an embarrassing sweep at home to the hands of the vaunted Dodgers. A day later, GM Dan O'Dowd announced that manager Clint Hurdle was fired and bench coach Jim Tracy was to take the reins. In a press conference with O'Dowd, the GM stated, "I'm not expecting miracles here."
O'Dowd may not have expected one, but he sure got one. The Rockies won the next two games against the (at the time) red hot Padres to finally claim a series at home. The next four games gave absolutely no indication of what was to happen next; the Rox couldn't claim the sweep over the Friars and were rudely welcomed to Houston with three straight humiliating losses to the Astros.
Colorado salvaged a win on the four game series finale in Houston with a 10-3 win. After only taking one of four against the NL Central basement, it was nearly impossible to believe the Rox would have a prayer against the toast of the Central in the St. Louis Cardinals. They would have more than a prayer. Apparently riding the momentum of the blowout finish at Houston, the Rox reeled off consecutive blowouts to the Cards with an 11-4 opener and a 10-1 whopper the next day. They would hang on the next two games to finish the sweep, which is virtually unheard of in the Gateway City; it was the first sweep at St Louis in franchise history and (I think) the fifth time the Cards have been swept at home in their 117-year history.
Next up, Milwaukee, the new leaders of the NL Central.
The Rox rotation decided they wanted in on the fun, and dominated the series against the Brewers. Three games later, the Rox were headed home on a highly impressive 8 game winning streak, all on the road. They weren't finished. A hot Seattle team came into Coors with every intention of stopping the Rockies run. Their intentions were good, but their play on the field was not, as the Rockies chalked up another sweep and were owners of the longest winning streak in the Majors in '09 at 11.
The Tampa Bay Rays used to be the laughingstock of the AL until they had their own magical run to the World Series last season. The Rays were on a 5-game winning streak coming into Colorado, and were able to extend it to 6 with a 12-4 victory, finally ending the Rockies streak. At least that's what all the experts thought.
The Hot Rox came right back with two big wins over the Rays to claim another series. They later swept a competitive Pirates squad before heading back on the road.
All of a sudden, the Colorado Rockies were relevant once again. They had soared to the .500 mark on the 11-game winning streak and pulled to three games over .500 (36-33). It made the following road trip the most important trip this season and one of the more significant trips in Rockies history.
First up, the LA Angels, owners of a 7-game winning streak. That streak was snapped with the Rox burying the Halos, 11-1. LA was not about to surrender to the hottest team in baseball that easily, though, and battled the next day to claim a 4-3 nailbiter. The Angels then wrapped up the series with a pounding of their own, 11-3.
The Rockies rebounded nicely...again. The Hot Rox flew into Oakland Coliseum, a stadium they haven't won in since 1997, and swept the Athletics (who did not live up to their mascot name).
Which brings us to June 29 and another series with the Dodgers. LA was already 8-1 against the Rox, but hadn't faced the Hot Rox yet. The Rockies, on the other hand, had closed the gap in the NL West, surging from 14.5 back to only 7.5 behind. Game 1 felt more like Game 6 in the NLCS, with the Dodgers squeaking by the Rox in 13 innings, 4-2. Game 2 was the Jason Marquis Show. Marquis went the distance, shutting out LA's powerful offense, held them to two hits and picked up his 10th win with a 3-0 masterpiece.
A month after the firing of Hurdle, the Rockies have gone from a laughingstock to a powerhouse. There's no doubt teams are starting to take notice...again...what the Rockies are capable of doing. After the shutout tonight, Colorado's 7.5 games behind LA and only 1.5 games behind San Fransisco for the Wild Card. Do you believe in miracles? I know Dan O'Dowd does.
MIDSEASON STANDINGS (as of June 30)
AL East:
Boston: 47-30
New York: 44-32 (2.5)
Tampa Bay: 44-35 (4.0)
Toronto: 41-38 (7.0)
Baltimore: 35-42 (12.0)
AL Central:
Detroit: 43-34
Chicago: 39-38 (4.0)
Minnesota: 40-39 (4.0)
Kansas City: 33-43 (9.5)
Cleveland: 31-48 (12.0)
AL West:
Los Angeles: 42-33
Texas: 41-35 (1.5)
Seattle: 39-37 (3.5)
Oakland: 32-44 (10.5)
NL East:
Philadelphia: 39-35
Florida: 40-39 (1.5)
New York: 37-39 (3.0)
Atlanta: 36-40 (4.0)
Washington: 22-53 (17.5)
NL Central:
Milwaukee: 42-35
St Louis: 41-38 (2.0)
Cincinnati: 37-38 (4.0)
Chicago: 36-38 (4.5)
Houston: 36-39 (5.0)
Pittsburgh: 36-41 (5.0)
NL West:
Los Angeles: 49-29
San Fransisco: 42-34 (6.0)
COLORADO: 41-36 (7.5)
San Diego: 34-42 (14.0)
Arizona: 31-46 (17.5)
