Rockies Shatter Records: Trailing in 29 Straight Games

In a season marred by disappointment and frustration, the Colorado Rockies etched their name into the annals of baseball history, albeit for an unwanted reason. The team shattered a long-standing Major League Baseball record by trailing in an astonishing 29 consecutive games to start the 2024 campaign, surpassing the previous mark of 28 set by the 1910 St. Louis Browns.

The Rockies’ tumultuous journey began on Opening Day, and with each passing game, the weight of their struggles grew heavier. While their rivals, the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, also stumbled out of the gates, the Rockies’ plight stood out as a testament to their sheer determination to rewrite the record books, even if unintentionally.

The record-breaking moment came in a cruel twist of fate on Tuesday night against the very same Marlins who have shared in the misery of a dismal start. With starting pitcher Ryan Feltner just three outs away from securing his first career complete game and a coveted “Maddux” (a shutout achieved in under 100 pitches), the wheels came off in spectacular fashion.

Feltner, who had dominated the Marlins lineup for eight innings, suddenly found himself in the throes of a ninth-inning meltdown. A single, a hit-by-pitch, and an RBI double opened the floodgates, and the Marlins scored five runs to erase the Rockies’ 5-0 lead. As if the universe conspired against them, Colorado ultimately succumbed in the bottom of the 10th inning, sealing their place in infamy.

“I just feel like I let the team down,” Feltner lamented after the game, his voice heavy with disappointment. “I got to finish that ninth inning out. Never been in a position like that before.”

While the Rockies’ record-breaking streak is a dubious achievement, it underscores the resilience and determination of a team that refuses to surrender, even in the face of mounting adversity. Baseball is a game of streaks, both good and bad, and the Rockies have undoubtedly experienced the latter in a historic fashion.

As the season progresses, the Rockies will have ample opportunities to right the ship and shed the unwanted spotlight of their record-setting start. But for now, their name is etched alongside the 1910 St. Louis Browns, a testament to the unpredictable nature of America’s pastime and the indomitable spirit of those who play it.