Franchise owner Dick Monfort declared the Rockies’ four-year playoff drought “not acceptable” in a letter despatched to season-ticket holders Monday morning.
Writing that “excuses serve no purpose,” Monfort did not mince phrases expressing his unhappiness in a Rockies season that completed with the team on the backside of the NL West standings for the primary time in seven years.
“Our expectations were high going into the 2022 season, but unfortunately, we did not meet those expectations,” Monfort wrote. “It has now been four years since our last postseason appearance, and this is not acceptable.”
The Rockies signed loose agent outfielder Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract prior to the season, however the one-time MVP seemed in simply 42 video games whilst coping with again and foot accidents.
Without their prized offseason acquisition offering a constant presence, the team stumbled to a 68-94 report that tied the 2004 and ’15 groups for the fifth-worst report in franchise historical past. That integrated a 27-54 mark clear of Coors Field that used to be the fourth-worst in franchise historical past.
As has been the case each and every of the previous 4 seasons — all underneath .500 — the Rockies’ struggles had been pronounced at the highway. They completed with 51 house runs and a .225 batting moderate in the ones video games (each worst in Major League Baseball), whilst the pitching team of workers posted a highway ERA of four.83 which used to be fourth-worst in MLB.
The team additionally dedicated the fifth-most mistakes (99) in majors with the fifth-worst fielding proportion (.983).
“Our road record was abysmal, our defense was not what we are accustomed to, our situational hitting was disappointing, and our pitching was inconsistent,” Monfort wrote. “Excuses serve no purpose, and we are committed to devoting all our efforts this off-season to improving this team for 2023.”
“… We all want the same thing,” Monfort wrote close to the tip of his letter. “That is why we are more dedicated than ever to bringing you a Rockies Championship.”
Spinning issues ahead, Monfort expressed enthusiasm for the franchise’s younger possibilities.
Mentioned by means of identify amongst those that seemed with the large league membership in 2022: starter Ryan Felter, outfielder Sean Bouchard, first baseman Michael Toglia, nook infielder Elehuris Montero and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.
Monfort wrote that every one of the ones avid gamers “have the talent to have a meaningful impact on our Major League team going forward.” He additionally highlighted one of the vital younger possibilities in the minors “to keep a close eye on,” together with outfielder Zac Veen, shortstop Adael Amador, catcher Drew Romo, outfielder Benny Montgomery and pitchers Gabriel Hughes, Jaden Hill and Joe Rock.
The Rockies owner additionally expressed enhance for the pitch clock set to be applied in 2023, in addition to efforts to restrict the infield shift and the “balanced schedule” that can see the Rockies face all 15 American League groups subsequent 12 months. That agenda will carry the Yankees and Angels to Coors in 2023.
“Coors Field continues to shine as one of the finest ballparks in Major League Baseball, making us all extremely proud,” Monfort wrote. “As I trip to different parks, I will be able to emphatically say our recreation day team of workers are the most efficient in baseball, if not all sports activities. They care deeply about our fans and try to carry memorable moments to each and every of you, your circle of relatives and visitors.
“…. We are grateful for your unwavering support. It was a challenging year for us all, and we do not take you for granted. You are the most important part of the Colorado Rockies organization.”
Full letter to season-ticket holders from Dick Monfort
It’s onerous to consider every other season is in the back of us. It turns out like the day before today we opened the 12 months at Coors Field with sellout crowds in opposition to the Dodgers and received the collection.
Our expectations had been top going into the 2022 season, however sadly, we did not meet the ones expectations. It has now been 4 years since our final postseason look, and that is not applicable. Our highway report used to be abysmal, our protection used to be not what we’re accustomed to, our situational hitting used to be disappointing, and our pitching used to be inconsistent. Excuses serve no objective, and we’re dedicated to devoting all our efforts this low season to bettering this team for 2023.
We are inspired by means of a variety of younger avid gamers coming via our Minor League machine. You noticed a glimpse of best possibilities Ryan Feltner, Sean Bouchard, Michael Toglia, Elehuris Montero, and our younger shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, all of whom have the ability to have a significant have an effect on on our Major League team going ahead. In addition, up-and-coming place avid gamers to stay an in depth eye on are OF Zac Veen, SS Adael Amador, C Drew Romo, OF Benny Montgomery and pitchers Gabriel Hughes, Jaden Hill and Joe Rock. I will be able to’t wait to see their contributions to your Colorado Rockies quickly!
Major League Baseball has been running onerous to make this nice recreation even higher. New for 2023, the pitch clock is being applied to enhance the tempo of play and make the video games shorter. The new rule to restrict infielders moving will have to upload extra offense, and a favourite new addition is the “balanced schedule.” This lets in us to play all 15 American League groups each and every 12 months, with part of the collection being right here at Coors Field, together with the Yankees and the Angels in 2023.
Coors Field continues to shine as one of the vital greatest ballparks in Major League Baseball, making us all extraordinarily proud. As I trip to different parks, I will be able to emphatically say our recreation day team of workers are the most efficient in baseball, if not all sports activities. They care deeply about our fans and try to carry memorable moments to each and every of you, your circle of relatives and visitors. As we have fun our thirtieth Anniversary subsequent season, we glance ahead to developing many extra particular reminiscences in combination!
We are thankful in your unwavering enhance. It used to be a difficult 12 months for us all, and we do not take you without any consideration. You are a very powerful a part of the Colorado Rockies group.
We all need the similar factor. That is why we’re extra devoted than ever to bringing you a Rockies Championship.
Thank you and GO ROCKIES!!!
Sincerely,
Richard L. Monfort
Owner/Chairman & CEO