Colorado Rockies Hit New Low: 21-0 Loss Sparks Fan Therapy Sessions
As the Colorado Rockies tumble to a dismal 6-33 start, they’ve managed to hit a new low—losing 21-0 to the Padres, making history for all the wrong reasons and sending fans scrambling for the closest exit.
This historic shutout marks not only the Rockies' worst loss ever, but also ties them with the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst 39-game start in MLB history. With the team allowing 134 more runs than they've scored, and injuries mounting, it appears the only thing Rockies fans can count on is a steady stream of disbelief—and, possibly, the quick exit signs at Coors Field.
The aforementioned disastrous shutout to the San Diego Padres marked the first time in franchise history the Rockies lost by such a staggering margin. For the Padres, it was not only a monumental victory; it was a reminder that sometimes you can win so big that it feels almost unfair. In fact, the Padres’ 21-0 triumph was just a single run shy of tying the largest shutout victory in MLB history since 1900. The Rockies apparently missed the memo about being competitive and opted for a very different approach to teamwork—more the ‘let’s all lose together’ kind of camaraderie.
Manager Bud Black's record of 543-690 since his 2017 appointment showcased a series of performances that can only be described as consistently disappointing. After the earthquake of a loss that left the Rockies crumbling, the organization’s decision to part ways with Black came swiftly, maybe too swiftly—like an impatient parent pulling the ice cream away once the child begins to drop it all over the place. His firing wasn’t the only shake-up; the bench coach, Mike Redmond, joined him on the unemployment line, leaving the team to wander into the next phase with interim manager Warren Schaefer stepping into the role, perhaps with nothing but a prayer and kind words about better days ahead.
General manager Bill Schmidt, in a rare moment of candor, voiced frustration with the team's performance, almost as if he'd just bitten into a day-old donut. In terms of words chosen, calling the performance 'unacceptable' seemed like a polite way of saying, 'Please, let’s try not to repeat this catastrophic saga.' Injuries to key players such as Ezequiel Tovar and Kris Bryant haven’t helped matters, leading some to speculate about the team's medical staff’s possible connections to hexes from the baseball gods.
Amid the disappointment, there remained a dedicated faction of Rockies fans — a group that deserves a commendation in and of itself — unwavering in their support. Whether they’re rallying with chants of encouragement or drowning their sorrows in overpriced concessions, their loyalty is unwavering. However, the other half of the fan base isn't as forgiving, vocalizing their frustration with the team's management and ownership. After all, owning a struggling team is akin to holding onto a rooting flower that just won’t bloom beneath the weight of too much neglect or, in this case, too many strikes.
As if the losses weren’t enough, the Rockies also made another dubious claim to fame: they became the first team to give up at least ten runs in four consecutive games since the 2021 Baltimore Orioles. Some might say this is its own kind of record, though it’s certainly not one that fans feel enthusiastic to boast about. Let's be honest, allowing double digits in runs four games in a row sounds less like baseball and more like a countdown to a deeply regrettable birthday party where games aren’t played, but rather, the guests are simply asked to leave. In the Rockies’ case, it seems everyone else is playing, and it’s a one-sided affair.
On a brighter note for the Padres, their pitcher Stephen Kolek not only recorded a shutout but did it during just his second MLB start. Some would call that a promising career, while others might see it as a clear example of throwing a rookie into the lion's den and the lions opting for a vegetarian diet for that day. Whatever the reason, Kolek's performance was a testament to the fact that while some teams are finding their stride, others are slipping through like grains of sand.
As the Rockies look ahead, one can only wonder what sort of therapy sessions fans are partaking in—perhaps group discussions of how to cope with a disappointing summer by writing letters to their 12-year-old selves who believed they could be a fan of winning baseball? Across the board, it’s clear that for the Rockies, it's not just a game anymore; it’s an ongoing series of trials, tribulations, and the occasional dread to leave the door unlocked so that any and all hopes of a comeback can carefully tiptoe back in. In baseball, as in life, sometimes it's all about the pitch—and in this case, the Rockies might need some extra seasoning to reinvigorate their game.
In the end, the Rockies have a long, uphill journey ahead. As they settle into the new normal of a restructured management team, fans might want to invest in sturdy furniture as they braced themselves for more historical moments—after all, their beloved Rockies appear committed to making history season after season. Unfortunately, the type of history that keeps the fans laughing and crying at the same time.
Thus, the Rockies continue their path of tumultuous fame—the kind that not only tests true loyalty but begs one fundamental question: How low can they go? At the current trajectory, it's entirely possible that they could answer that soon, with keen expertise. And here’s hoping that any therapy sessions scheduled follow the quotes — ‘This is only a phase, it will pass.’ What a comforting thought for fans sporting t-shirts that read, 'I survived 21-0.'