The teen years, from early April of 2010 through late September of 2019, sent the Rockies on a roller coaster. In their third decade, the Rockies hit both their lowest low and highest high.

On one hand, by winning percentage, it was Colorado’s worst 10-year stretch. On the other, behind manager Bud Black, the Rockies reached the playoffs in consecutive seasons for their only time in a 27-year history.

Advertisement

And individually, six of the best players who ever wore purple pinstripes played in the aughts, led by Nolan Arenado at third base. On paper, it seems like this is a golden age for the Rockies. Then you live through a 71-win disaster of a season, the one that closed out this decade, and it makes you wonder.

For purposes of remembering what’s what, here is the Rockies’ all-decade team for the 2010s, a who’s-who of players who either played through the pain of losing or led their revival:

1B MICHAEL CUDDYER
His bona fides:
A tough one because when you think of Cuddy, you don’t really think of the Rockies. But he did hit for the cycle in a doubleheader on the same day in 2014 that the Rockies used to retired Todd Helton’s number. And statistically, even over just three seasons in Colorado, he was a better first baseman than Helton in the decade, measured by fWAR.

2B DJ LEMAHIEU
His bona fides:
The best second baseman in Rockies history only got better when he left. The DJ Le-Nolan-Chuck trio will be how we remember this decade for the Rockies. They were the core.

SS TROY TULOWITZKI
His bona fides:
This is a fun one, actually, because memories can distort our understanding. Tulowitzki debuted in 2006 and was a leader in a Rocktober run to the World Series in 2007. He must have peaked in the previous decade, right? Trevor Story certainly had a longer run in the ’10s than Tulo, right? Don’t let recency bias fool you. Tulowitzki played like a Hall of Famer in the teens. He was otherworldly in 2014 before injuries finally cut him in half. He changed the Rockies at their core.

3B NOLAN ARENADO
His bona fides:
Too many to count on one hand. And he’s only 28.

LF CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
His bona fides:
He ended up outlasting Tulowitzki in Colorado and was among the best all-around players in the club’s history. But there’s something more. As a baseball team moves through time, it collects certain characteristics and lore. CarGo should be remembered as a Rockies legend, perhaps the most vivid, dynamic player to ever wear purple. He is a Rockies icon.

Advertisement

CF DEXTER FOWLER
His bona fides:
Quick story: The Rockies called up Fowler from Double-A late in the 2008 season. He packed his small car and drove straight through from Tulsa to Denver and made his debut as a pinch-runner in the 10th inning against the Giants. He immediately broke for second but was thrown out trying to steal. He traveled all the way from Oklahoma but couldn’t make it to second base. He was with the Rockies through 2013 before the Rockies got a jump on his free agency by trading him to Houston for Brandon Barnes and Jordan Lyles.

RF CHARLIE BLACKMON
His bona fides: If Blackmon plays out his contract in Colorado — his six-year deal takes him through 2023 when he would be 37 — will the Rockies retire his number? He has become more attached to the Rockies’ identity than even Larry Walker.

C TONY WOLTERS
His bona fides: There’s no recency bias here. Wolters has already collected more fWAR than any other Rockies catcher in the aughts. It’s been a thin position for the Rockies since Yorvit Torrealba left. Wilin Rosario was supposed to be their future. He just couldn’t catch.

LHP JORGE DE LA ROSA
His bona fides:
He remains the Rockies’ leader in career wins and strikeouts and while he was never a flashy, overpowering lefty, De La Rosa remains the standard for pitching longevity in Colorado. He survived elevation and made it work. It can be done.

RHP JON GRAY
His bona fides:
German Márquez is gaining on him already, but Gray, who debuted in 2015, has lived up to his first-round draft position. His remaking last season worked wonders and Gray is steadily finding a path all his own, relying on more than just an overpowering fastball. He is the forerunner to the Rockies’ attempt at a homegrown, sustainable, winning pitching staff.

CLOSER RAFAEL BETANCOURT
His bona fides:
Statistically, sturdy Matt Belisle was the most productive Rockies reliever in the ’10s, but he rarely appeared in save situations. Greg Holland was exceptional in his one season and Wade Davis closed well over his first year. But overall, Betancourt and his 57 saves are tops in the decade.

(Photo of Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)

ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57kGxra2thaHxzfJByZmppX2eEcMDHnmRraGFlwG6vzqWmq5mUpHqzu8KkoJ6rXZa5rXnDnpqanJViwaatzGaaqKakp7ajwdOem2asn2K5sMPErKtmpJ%2BseqK6w2afop%2BYmsC1eceinqFn