When Rockies’ ownership opened their wallets in 2000 and struck mega deals with two big name pitchers, fans rejoiced. Unfortunately, Coors Field is an unforgiving ballpark for pitchers, no matter how much money they get paid.

Denny Neagle yearned to be the savior Rockies fans so desperately wanted. He’d worked his way up through the baseball ranks, starting with college ball at the University of Minnesota, getting drafted by the Twins, becoming an ace and All-Star with the Pirates, starting a World Series game and earning another All-Star nod with the Braves and winning a World Series ring with the Yankees. The pedigree was there, and it was tough on Denny when success didn’t come in Denver. He wanted to prove his worth.

Denny pitched his last game in July of 2003, had some personal incidents in 2004 and realized he needed to get his life together, not only for himself, but for his family and those around him. These days, he spends a lot of time with his family, especially his three young adult children. He’s also the pitching coach at Chatfield High School and starting to dabble in podcasting with comedian Frank Nicotero.