What Is 2012 Colorado Rockies baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 Colorado Rockies finished with a 81-81 record, placing third in the NL West under manager Jim Tracy. It was their first non-losing season since 2009, highlighted by strong offensive performances despite playing at Coors Field.

Key Facts

Finished with an 81-81 record, their first .500 season since 2009
Played home games at Coors Field in Denver, known for high run totals
Manager Jim Tracy led the team until retiring after the season
Troy Tulowitzki hit .287 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs
Team ranked 3rd in MLB in home runs with 166

Overview

The 2012 Colorado Rockies season marked a return to mediocrity after several losing campaigns. With an 81-81 record, they finished third in the National League West, ending a streak of four consecutive losing seasons. Manager Jim Tracy, who had led the team to postseason contention in 2007 and 2009, stepped down after the season, concluding a turbulent but occasionally promising tenure.

The Rockies were known for their potent offense, fueled by the hitter-friendly dimensions of Coors Field. Despite strong individual performances, the pitching staff struggled to maintain consistency, especially on the road. The 2012 season was a transitional year, bridging the end of the Tracy era and the beginning of a rebuild under new leadership.

Win-loss record: The Rockies finished exactly at .500 with 81 wins and 81 losses, their first balanced season since 2009.
Division standing: They placed third in the NL West, behind the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Home field advantage: At Coors Field, the team went 49-32, one of the best home records in the league.
Road struggles: Away from Denver, they managed only 32-49, highlighting difficulties in neutral environments.
Managerial change:Jim Tracy retired after the season, ending a five-year run that included a 2007 World Series appearance.

Performance & Players

The 2012 Rockies combined offensive firepower with inconsistent pitching, a hallmark of Coors Field-era teams. While they ranked among the league leaders in home runs and runs scored, their ERA remained above average, exposing weaknesses in mound performance. Several key players delivered standout seasons, providing hope for future competitiveness.

Offensive leader:Carlos González drove in 111 runs and hit 26 home runs, anchoring the middle of the lineup.
Shortstop production:Troy Tulowitzki posted a .287 average with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 139 games.
Team home runs: The Rockies hit 166 home runs, ranking 3rd in MLB, led by González and Tulowitzki.
Starting pitcher:Jhoulys Chacín led the rotation with a 3.47 ERA over 174 innings.
Bullpen struggles: The relievers posted a 4.50 ERA, among the worst in the National League.
Attendance: Coors Field drew 2.6 million fans, averaging just over 32,000 per game.

Comparison at a Glance

How did the 2012 Rockies stack up against recent seasons? The table below compares key performance metrics from 2010 to 2012:

Year	W-L Record	Runs Scored	Team ERA	Home Runs	Manager
2010	83-79	770	4.82	163	Jim Tracy
2011	73-89	713	5.14	147	Jim Tracy
2012	81-81	730	4.92	166	Jim Tracy
2013	74-88	617	5.00	131	Walt Weiss
2014	66-96	557	4.78	120	Walt Weiss

The 2012 season stands out as a brief plateau between losing years. While the offense remained productive, the team’s inability to improve pitching consistency led to stagnation. After 2012, the Rockies entered a deeper rebuild, culminating in several subpar seasons before emerging as contenders again in the late 2010s.

Why It Matters

The 2012 Colorado Rockies represent a transitional moment in franchise history—one of modest success amid long-term uncertainty. While not a playoff team, their .500 record signaled potential and preserved hope during a rebuilding phase. The season also marked the end of an era with Jim Tracy’s retirement, paving the way for new leadership.

Managerial legacy: Jim Tracy’s retirement closed a chapter that included the team’s only World Series appearance in 2007.
Player development: The 2012 season highlighted the importance of keeping core players healthy, especially Tulowitzki and González.
Coors Field impact: The team’s 49-32 home record underscored the ballpark’s dramatic effect on performance.
Front office decisions: The lack of postseason success led to major changes in scouting and player acquisition strategies.
Fan engagement: Drawing over 2.6 million fans showed continued strong support despite on-field mediocrity.
Historical context: The 81-81 record remains one of only a few non-losing seasons between 2009 and 2017.

Ultimately, the 2012 Rockies serve as a reminder of the franchise’s volatility—capable of strong individual performances but struggling to achieve sustained success. Their season reflects the challenges of building a competitive team in a high-altitude environment where offensive stats can be misleading.