GOV. RITTER PROCLAIMS OCTOBER 'ROCKTOBER'

Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed the month of October 2007 as "Rocktober" in honor of the Colorado Rockies' remarkable run to the Major League Baseball post-season.

"The Rockies have given the people of Colorado an autumn we'll remember for years to come," Gov. Ritter said. "Monday night's edge-of-the-seat win was the perfect cap to the 2007 season and the perfect way to start the month of October.

"On behalf of baseball fans all around Colorado, I hereby declare October as 'Rocktober' in honor of our Colorado Rockies baseball club. I wish them continued success against the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series."

Gov. Ritter also intends to issue a friendly wager with his counterpart in Pennsylvania, Gov. Ed Rendell. Details are still pending.

Here is the complete text of Gov. Ritter's proclamation:

WHEREAS, the Colorado Rockies are the centerpiece of Colorado's baseball community, a franchise making only its second playoff appearance since its inception in 1993; and

WHEREAS, after a late September run of 13 wins in 14 games, the Rockies rekindled the passions of baseball fans across the state and nation and forced a one-game playoff with the San Diego Padres; and

WHEREAS, on October 1, 2007, Coors Field hosted its most important game in a dozen years, a 13-inning thriller that featured everything we love about the game of baseball - a four hour and forty minute see-saw duel that included five lead changes, dramatic home runs, incredible defensive plays, and a play-at-the-plate finish that sealed the most dramatic victory in Rockies history; and

WHEREAS, Colorado left its mark on the game of baseball thanks to the many heroes of the Colorado Rockies, including Most Valuable Player hopeful Matt Holliday, who captured the National League batting title and RBI crown on the final night of the season, Rookie of the Year candidate Troy Tulowitzki, who broke the National League record for most home runs in a season by a rookie shortstop and accumulated more assists than any shortstop since Ozzie Smith, manager Clint Hurdle, who deserves due consideration for  Manager of the Year, and veteran first baseman Todd Helton, who will make his first post-season appearance after ten seasons with the Rockies; and

WHEREAS, the Colorado Rockies have energized people around the state with their remarkable September, and hope to continue one of the most amazing and improbable runs in baseball history;

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim October 2007,

ROCKTOBER!

in the State of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this second day of October, 2007

Bill Ritter,  Jr.

Governor