Ballpark District in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Blake Street Bombers

— Milestones in Colorado Rockies History —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

1. The Blake Street Bombers Marker

Inscription.
The Blake Street Bombers moniker was given to a set of four prolific hitters in 1995: LF Dante Bichette, 3B Vinny Castilla, 1B Andrés Galarraga and RF Larry Walker.

In that 1995 season, Manager Don Baylor used psychology to take full advantage of his potent lineup: he made sure the Blake Street Bombers were in the last group during batting practice, right when the opposing team came on the field.

In 1996, a fifth member joined the Bombers: Ellis Burks. In three consecutive seasons, 1995-97, four members of the Blake Street Bombers hit 30 or more home runs. In 1997, the Rockies hit a franchise-record 239 home runs, a national League record at that time. Over half of the home runs were hit by Walker (49), Galarraga (41) and Castilla (40). It was the second straight season three Rockies hit at least 40 homers; in 1996, it was Galarraga (47), Burks (40) and Castilla (40).

Of course, there have been other Rockies teams over the years with great hitters, but the original Bombers set the standard.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.

Location. 39° 45.307′ N, 104° 59.796′ W.

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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 Street when traveling north. The marker is located in McGregor Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1735 19th Street, Denver CO 80202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: #33 Larry Walker (here, next to this marker); Incredible 2007 21-of-22 Run to the World Series (a few steps from this marker); Rockies Fastest Expansion Team to the Playoffs (within shouting distance of this marker); Coors Field Opens with a Thriller (within shouting distance of this marker); Rockies Legend #17 Todd Helton (within shouting distance of this marker); Back-to-Back Postseasons 2017 & 2018

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

2. The Blake Street Bombers Marker

Looking north through McGregor Square. The Coors Field stadium is partially visible in the next block.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Home Opener for the Record Books (within shouting distance of this marker); It's Official: Play Ball in Denver! (within shouting distance of this marker). 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 . . . History of the Colorado Rockies (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Prior to the 1995 season, the Rockies acquired free-agent outfielder Larry Walker, previously of the Montreal Expos. He was one of the four Rockies known collectively as the “Blake Street Bombers” named after the street on which the new ballpark (Coors Field) was located — along with Galarraga, Bichette, and third baseman Vinny Castilla, who had played sparingly with the Rockies during the previous season. The quartet combined to hit 139 homers — each hitting 30 or more — in the strike-shortened and late-starting 1995 season, with Bichette leading the way with 40.
In 1996, with all four Blake Street Bombers returning, the Rockies expected to contend, but an injury to Walker hurt
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2025

3. The Blake Street Bombers Marker
The marker is roughly in the middle of McGregor Square.
the team. Walker played in only 83 games and batted .276 with 18 homers. However, outfielder Ellis Burks picked up the slack with an All-Star season, batting .344 with 40 homers and 128 RBI — one of three Rockies to hit forty or more homers that season, along with Galarraga and Castilla. The four Blake Street Bombers — now consisting of Bichette, Burks, Castilla, and Galarraga — once again hit at least 30 home runs each. The team set a major-league record by scoring 658 runs at home on the season, and Burks and Bichette became the first pair of teammates since Darryl Strawberry and Howard Johnson of the 1987 New York Mets to both steal 30 bases and hit 30 homers in the same season.

(Submitted on September 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.