Ballpark District in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Rockies Fastest Expansion Team to the Playoffs
Oct. 1, 1995
| | Milestones in Colorado Rockies History | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025
1. Rockies Fastest Expansion Team to the Playoffs Marker
Coors Field attendance records weren't the only records the Rockies were breaking. In the first year in their new home ballpark, the 1995 team became the first expansion team to reach postseason play prior to its fourth year of competition.
And they did it in the final game, at home, in a must-win situation.
In order to make the playoffs as the first NL Wild Card in history, the Rockies had to win this game vs. the San Francisco Giants. The Blake Street Bombers Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker combined for seven RBI in the game, and they were leading the Giants 10-9 in the top of the ninth. Curtis Leskanic took the mound and retired the side in order, leaping for joy and gathering with his teammates to celebrate. The team then walked around the warning track, bringing the fans into the celebration for their Final Lap, a long-held Rockies tradition after each season's last home game certainly a fitting close to Coors Field's inaugural year.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1995.
Location. 39° 45.292′ N, 104° 59.817′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in the Ballpark District. It can be reached from the intersection of 19th Street and Wynkoop
this page online
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: Coors Field Opens with a Thriller (here, next to this marker); Home Opener for the Record Books (a few steps from this marker); It's Official: Play Ball in Denver! (a few steps from this marker); Keli S. McGregor (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); Rockies Legend #17 Todd Helton (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 . . .
1. October 1, 1995: Rockies clinch postseason berth faster than any MLB expansion team.
(by by John Bauer) Excerpt: The required result was simple: Win and theyre in. In their third season as a major-league franchise, the Colorado Rockies stood on the brink of qualifying for the baseball postseason faster than any(Submitted on September 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)previous expansion team. To be sure, the Rockies postseason quest was aided by the introduction of the wild card, an innovation that would have been implemented in 1994 but for the season-ending strike and subsequent cancellation of the postseason. It is doubtful the Rockies cared. All that mattered was that defeating the San Francisco Giants would lead to a National League Division Series date with the Atlanta Braves.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 20252. Rockies Fastest Expansion Team to the Playoffs MarkerLooking south through McGregor Square.
2. Rockies Pile Up Runs to Win Wild Card (Los Angeles Times).
(by Ross Newhan, 10/2/1995) Excerpt: It wasnt pretty, but it was typical. Rallying from a six-run deficit after starter Bret Saberhagen lasted only two-plus innings, the Colorado Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants, 10-9, to win the wild-card berth in the National League playoffs and set a record for expansion success.(Submitted on September 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
When Curtis Leskanic secured the final out and wept as he was swamped by teammates, the crowd, already standing and cheering, erupted in a prolonged salute. The ground was moving it was so loud, Leskanic said later.
A team built for Coors Field, the Rockies lead the league in runs, home runs and batting. Thats how theyve been doing it, and they were stillhearing from the fans, massed around the players entrance, long after the game.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 20253. Rockies Fastest Expansion Team to the Playoffs MarkerLooking south through McGregor Square. Wynkoop Street continues southward in the distant background.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
