Mile High Sports

The Year in Pictures 2017: Faces & Places

This story originally appeared in Mile High Sports Magazine. Read the full digital edition.

Although wins and losses are how we typically measure the success of a season, the great sportswriter Grantland Rice reminds us:

“For when the One Great Scorer comes
To mark against your name,
He writes – not that you won or lost –
But how you played the Game.”

For Colorado sports fans in 2017, it wasn’t just the what and how that mattered, but also the who and where. Beyond the victories and the defeats, these are the people and places that made this year one to remember.

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After two vastly different seasons in Denver – one that resulted in winning Super Bowl 50 and another that resulted in the Broncos missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010 – Gary Kubiak stepped down as head coach, citing his health as the primary reason. Kubiak rejoined the team as a scout prior to the 2017 season.

Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Despite a nasty winter storm that put the annual Stock Show Parade down 17th Street on ice, the cowboys and cowgirls of the National Western Stock Show kept things toasty inside the Denver Coliseum. The cold temperatures did little to slow down the 111th NWSS, which saw an impressive attendance of 684,580, including a record-setting final day of 42,661.

Mandatory Credit: National Western Stock Show

On Jan. 11, Vance Joseph was introduced as the Denver Broncos’ 16th head coach. Less than halfway through the season, the local media was suggesting there should be a 17th.

Jan 12, 2017; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph speaks during a press conference at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Not only did the CSU Rams uplift fans (and one another) with a big win over Oregon State, they did so in a brand-new stadium. Under the guidance of athletic director Joe Parker, the university successfully completed construction on a beautiful new on-campus facility. CSU Stadium holds 41,000 fans and cost a reported $220 million.

Aug 26, 2017; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Izzy Matthews (24) celebrates his rushing touchdown with teammates in the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Sonny Lubrick Field at Colorado State Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Rockies centerfielder Charlie Blackmon and his untamed beard became a cult hero of sorts in 2017. But it wasn’t just his wacky sense of humor or distinct look that fans loved. Blackmon won a batting title, a Silver Slugger award, finished fifth in NL MVP voting and drove in 104 RBI, setting a new MLB record for a leadoff hitter.

Jun 20, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) walks back to the dugout in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Following an offseason and training camp filled with rumors and rumblings, Avalanche forward Matt Duchene was, to the surprise of some, introduced on opening night at Pepsi Center. But his presence wasn’t permanent. After playing just 1:59 in the first period against the Islanders on Nov. 5, Duchene was removed and notified that he’d been traded to Ottawa.

Oct 11, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) skates on the ice prior to the game against the Boston Bruins at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Denver greeted some new faces when Mexico and Jamaica squared off for the CONCACAF Gold Cup at Mile High Stadium, including Mexican forward Elias Hernandez.

Jul 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Mexico forward Elías Hernández (11) attempts a shot on the net of Jamaica in the second half of the match at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Hoffman, who appeared on the mound 23 times and started 16 games, was one of four Rockies rookie hurlers who shined at 20th and Blake.

Aug 6, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman (34) reacts after a play in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Not long after the Broncos selected left tackle Garett Bolles with the 20th pick in the draft, the young man from Utah proudly raised up his son, going “all ‘Lion King’ on everyone.”

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Garett Bolles (Utah) holds his son Kingston Bolles as he is selected as the number 20 overall pick to the Denver Broncos in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

When Jeff Bridich dealt for catcher Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline, some asked, “Why not a starting pitcher?” Then Lucroy guided the Rockies pitching staff to the playoffs.

Aug 14, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Jonathan Lucroy (21) tags out Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) as he attempts to score on an inside the park attempt in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Izzy Mathews flexed his muscles after a touchdown scamper in Colorado State’s stadium-opening beatdown of Oregon State.

Aug 26, 2017; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Izzy Matthews (24) celebrates his rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Sonny Lubrick Field at Colorado State Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After seemingly striking out at the NBA Draft and with various free agent flirtations, the Denver Nuggets finally got their man when they inked four-time All-Star Paul Millsap to a three-year, $90 million contract. Millsap was as advertised until a wrist injury suffered on Nov. 20 placed him on the shelf.

Oct 27, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) defends Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

This season marked the 25th anniversary of the famed Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. Highlighting the celebration was a halftime performance at the Raiders game in which 170 alumni cheerleaders gave the home crowd a new reason to cheer.

Sep 11, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform against the Los Angeles Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Though it was his first year managing the Colorado Rockies, Bud Black, who went on to finish as a NL Manager of the Year finalist, was no stranger to the job. But it was strange that the old pitcher was handed a staff full of young ones. Nonetheless, Black deftly handled his rookie pitchers, including Jeff Hoffman (23 games, 6-6, 5.89 ERA), German Marquez (29 starts, 11-7, 4.39 ERA), Antonio Senzatela (36 games, 10-5, 4.68 ERA) and Kyle Freeland (28 starts, 11-11, 4.10 ERA).

Mandatory Credits: Noah K. Murray, Mark J. Rebilas, David Richard, Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

In what could only be classified as a roller-coaster season – one that resulted in more lows than highs – first-year head coach Vance Joseph showed a wide array of expressions and emotions.

Mandatory Credits: Ron Chenoy, Mark J. Rebilas, Orlando Ramirez, Isaiah J. Downing, Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

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