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A large contingent of bare-chested fans cheer for the Colorado Rockies from the upper deck of Coors Field in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\nA lot of things can happen during a 162-game schedule, including a fashion choice out of nowhere that has become a phenomenon in LoDo.<\/p>\n
On Monday after Troy Johnston smacked his first home run at Coors Field, he was greeted in the home dugout by a large faux fur purple coat. It came as a complete surprise to Johnston, who put it on and quickly turned high-fives in the dugout into a fashion walk that would have folks in Paris or Milan jealous.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think when we brought it in on Monday, there were probably only a handful of guys who saw it before the game,\u201d said Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland, who played a big role in the coat becoming Colorado\u2019s new home run tradition. \u201cWhen we broke it out, I think there was a little bit of shock.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rockies finished a sweep of the Houston Astros on Wednesday with a 9-1 win, their first series sweep since May 2024. That also may come as a shock, but it shouldn\u2019t. The Rockies moved to .500 (6-6) while playing solid ball.<\/p>\n
A large contingent of bare-chested fans cheer for the Colorado Rockies from the upper deck of Coors Field in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n
Likewise, a large purple fur coat may be a surprise to Johnston and many others on the roster, but the new home run celebration for the Rockies came together thanks to a donation deal and a thumbs up from Freeland and outfielder Mickey Moniak.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the story, straight from Gabe Ribas, assistant pitching coach for the Rockies and the man who carried the purple coat into Coors Field for the first time Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am living with a college teammate of mine here (in Denver). I walked back into the house the other night and he had it sitting in the kitchen,\u201d Ribas told The Denver Gazette inside the Rockies clubhouse. \u201cHe said he was on one of the oldest floats in Mardi Gras. He said, \u2018I\u2019ve had it for a few years, and if you guys want it, it\u2019s yours.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so I put it on, I took a picture, and I showed it to Kyle Freeland. I was like, \u2018What do you think? He was like, \u2018We have to have that.\u2019 And so I went back to my friend and told him I think the boys want it. He was like, \u2018It\u2019s theirs if they want it. I just want it back at the end of the season.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the problem, however. If Colorado gets on a home run-hitting roll and the coat becomes a mainstay, Ribas joked his friend may not get his coat back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, if we get hot, then that thing has to go to the Hall of Fame and he\u2019s not getting it back,\u201d Ribas said with smile. \u201cI live about a mile away, so I\u2019m walking through the streets of Denver with this big purple fur coat on my shoulders. People must think I\u2019m insane, but I think it got a little energy in the boys. Everybody\u2019s put it on and gotten some good vibes.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26098736984263-1024x683.jpg\")
Colorado Rockies\u2019 Troy Johnston gestures to the dugout after hitting a double off Houston Astros pitcher AJ Blubaugh to lead off the bottom of the second inning Wednesday in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n
Those good vibes go a long way over the course of a 162-game season and can\u2019t be underestimated, Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly important to have guys that have fun in the clubhouse,\u201d Schaeffer said. \u201cThis game, it can get monotonous because it\u2019s such a long season. You play every day, and it can be a grind. But all that group out there (motioning to his players on the field), they\u2019re built right and they have a lot of fun. It\u2019s refreshing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeland and Moniak were sitting at the Colorado Avalanche game on Sunday night when the text about the purple coat from Ribas came through. After hitting a home run Tuesday night and earning the coat after reaching the dugout, Moniak said the fashion accessory lived up to the expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was warm. Maybe a little warm for April,\u201d Moniak smiled. \u201cWe\u2019re very appreciative (of the donation) because it\u2019s an awesome coat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moniak confirmed the coat will be going on the road with the Rockies all season, beginning Thursday night when Colorado opens a series in San Diego against the Padres. And if the Rockies keep hitting, that purple fur coat may become more than a quirky dugout prop. It might turn into one of the defining images of their season.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Rockies 9, Astros 1<\/p>\n
What happened: Colorado sent 10 men to the plate in the second inning, scoring five runs in the frame to secure its first home sweep since May 10-12, 2024. The Rockies drew three walks in the inning against Houston reliever AJ Blubaugh, who was forced into the game after Astros starter Cristian Javier left after one inning with right shoulder tightness.<\/p>\n
On the mound: Michael Lorenzen bounced back in a big way from a horrid first outing at Coors Field, throwing 100 pitches over 5 2\/3 innings and allowing one run on seven hits. Houston loaded the bases against him in the sixth, but reliever Zach Agnos came in to force Christian Vazquez into a groundout to end the threat.<\/p>\n
At the plate: Edouard Julien continues to be a solid option in the leadoff role, going 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs and a stolen base to kick-start the Colorado offense. Hunter Goodman launched his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the fourth.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next: Colorado on Thursday is expected to start a pitcher to be announced against RHP Randy Vasquez (1-0, 0.75 ERA) as the Rockies and San Diego Padres begin a four-game set at Petco Park at 7:40 p.m.<\/p>\n
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