Ballpark District in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Home Opener for the Record Books
April 9, 1993
| | Milestones in Colorado Rockies History | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025
1. Home Opener for the Record Books Marker
Rockies tickets were expected to be in high demand for their inaugural season of 1993. Fortunately, their temporary home for 1993 and 1994 was mile high stadium, home of the Denver Broncos, with a seating capacity of over 70,000.
With an NFL stadium to work with, Rockies executives set their sights on breaking the opening day attendance record of 78,672 set by the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 18, 1958. In order to accomplish that feat, the Rockies were granted permission by the Denver Fire Department to put in additional seats for the April 9, 1993 inaugural home opener.
And then, amid the excitement of the first home game in franchise history, Eric Young hit a leadoff home run that brought the record crowd to their feet. That moment, with that crowd, proved that there is nothing more unforgettable than the sound of 80,227 cheering fans. It's a moment that is still relished today.
Rockies fans would go on to break many MLB attendance records, but the first season was astounding. On the final home game of the 1993 season, the Rockies announced a home attendance record that still stands today: 4,483,350 fans over 81 games.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1993.
Location. 39° 45.287′ N, 104° 59.825′
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Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: It's Official: Play Ball in Denver! (here, next to this marker); Keli S. McGregor (a few steps from this marker); Coors Field Opens with a Thriller (a few steps from this marker); Rockies Fastest Expansion Team to the Playoffs (a few steps from this marker); The Blake Street Bombers (within shouting distance of this marker); #33 Larry Walker (within shouting distance of this marker); Incredible 2007 21-of-22 Run to the World Series (within shouting distance of this marker); Merchandise Mart (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denver.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Milestones in Colorado Rockies History
Also see . . . A Dream of Five Million Fans (PurpleRow.com).
(by by Ted Chalfen, 7/21/2020) Excerpt: What if the Rockies 1993 attendance record was a precursor to something even bigger? If no MLB team has even broken the(Submitted on September 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)4.5 million mark, how could five million even be within the realm of possibility? Well, had the Rockies continued playing at Mile High Stadium for the 1995 and 1996 seasons with the same on-field results, I think its highly plausible that 1996 would have seen them reach this unfathomable number.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 20252. Home Opener for the Record Books MarkerLooking southwest along Wynkoop Street. 19th Street crosses behind the marker.
It was not the first four-million-fan season in Major League Baseball. That honor goes to the 1991 Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, four million is not even a guarantee youll lead the league in attendance. In 1993, the Blue Jays drew more than four million fans for the third consecutive season, but finished second to the Rockies. Fifteen years later, the 2008 Mets sent off Shea Stadium with a total attendance of 4,042,045 the only other time a National League club has broken the four million barrier but finished second to the Yankees, who bid farewell to the original Yankee Stadium with 4,298,655 fans the second highest season attendance in baseball history. That 2008 season was the last time the record had a real chance of falling, as both Shea and The House That Ruth Built had capacities of over 55,000 and they just dont build ballparks that big anymore. In short, the Rockies record isnt going anywhere
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025
3. Home Opener for the Record Books Marker
Looking southwest along Wynkoop Street. 19th Street crosses behind the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
