Dinger, the Rockies’ purple prehistoric mascot, has been entertaining Colorado fans for more than 20 years.
Former Denver Post writer William Porter wrote about Dinger’s debut:
In January 1994, the Rockies announced the discovery of a dinosaur egg at Coors Field, then under construction. This played off the fact that an unidentified dinosaur rib bone was unearthed during the site’s excavation.
The “egg” was exhibited at the Denver Museum of Natural History, now the Museum of Nature & Science. A naming contest was held.
On April 16, 1994 – the first month of the Rockies second season – the egg was escorted into Mile High Stadium by a National Guard contingent and hatched at 12:49 p.