Page "Colorado Rockies" Paragraph 13

A healthy Walker became the first player in club history to win the NL Most Valuable Player award in 1997, batting. 366 with 49 homers and 130 RBI.

Walker came very close to winning the Triple Crown that year, leading the league in home runs but finishing second to Tony Gwynn in batting average and third in RBI ( teammate Galarraga led the league.

) Once again, three Rockies ( Walker, Galarraga, and Castilla ) hit 40 or more homers ; Walker also won the first Gold Glove in franchise history.

As in 1996, though, the team's pitchers struggled and had a 5. 25 ERA, and the Rockies could not improve upon their finish from the previous season.