Thomas Wilson is a 29-year-old Centennial resident who works as a customer service representative for a credit union. As a customer of the Rockies, a partial season-ticket holder, the team’s performance this year has turned him into a soon-to-be former customer.
“We won’t be buying tickets next season,” Wilson said. “If we do go, we’ll buy from StubHub or maybe scalp cheap tickets or overpay for opening day. I want the Rockies to do well, but I can’t justify the expense anymore.”
Wilson is like many Rockies fans, seriously contemplating their relationship — financial or otherwise — with the 40-55 team having a miserable season. The on-field troubles have produced e-mail sniping between Rockies owner Dick Monfort and a few fans, some of which became public.
Monfort has publicly apologized for the e-mails, explaining that the team’s poor performance has left him more frustrated than anyone. But for fans such as Wilson, Monfort’s actions were the final straw in withdrawing their financial support of the team.
“He takes advantage of what an awesome sports town Denver is,” Wilson said. “I thought it was very ‘king in the tower’ of him. ‘I know what you want and you want a party deck and a club atmosphere at the ballpark, and if you don’t like it, don’t come.’ Well, I might not stop going entirely; you’ve turned a guy who used to love going to games into someone who has given away most of his tickets to co-workers who honestly feel the same way. We all love the game of baseball too much to not go, but it doesn’t mean I have to support this front office.”
Rich Carvill, 58, and his son Michael, 28, have been season-ticket holders since 1993, the Rockies’ first season. They will continue to attend games, but their patience is wearing thin.
“I was shocked at this news of Dick Monfort’s recent disrespectful comments to the fans. So unprofessional. This has certainly undermined my confidence and trust in the leadership of the Rockies organization,” said Carvill, who owns an advertising agency. “I’ve enjoyed some good times with my kids going to Rockies games over the years, but I’m starting to feel like a sap for continuing with my season-ticket purchases in light of the current events. We deserve better. We want to see a winning team, and the current formula is not working. It’s time for a change.
“I think the owner’s recent actions come from the stress of not knowing who to trust with his team. Dick Monfort may know how to run a business, but he doesn’t know how to lead a successful baseball franchise. There is a difference.”
Said Michael Carvill, who lives in Thornton: “The Rockies’ biggest problem is that the ownership refuses to admit there is a problem. Finishing at the bottom of the division has become the norm, and it appears they don’t really care. But we’ll keep our tickets again next year. Although I’ll always love the Rockies, I love baseball more. Being able to be in the ballpark every summer is what I enjoy most.”
Morrison’s Jim Doolittle, 74, gave up his partial season-ticket plan several years ago but still made an annual pilgrimage to Scottsdale, Ariz., to see the team in spring training. He won’t go next year.
“I just do not buy into what they are selling,” Doolittle said. “My problem with Monfort is his inability to make changes. Funny, the big event this past offseason was the new beer garden. Big deal. Who benefited from that?”
Adrian Dater: adater@denverpost.com or twitter.com/adater
