The Seven-Year Hitch
The moment passed without notice.
Seven years ago Sunday, Clint Hurdle replaced Buddy Bell as manager of the Rockies.
And in a profession where longevity is rare, Hurdle’s still on the job today.
There wasn’t much of a celebration at Coors Field. It wasn’t even mentioned in the team’s game notes, much less flashed on the scoreboard.
That’s fine with Hurdle.
“Dan (O’Dowd, general manager) called and said, `Happy Anniversary,’’’ said Hurdle. “I asked him what he was talking about. He said it was my seventh anniversary. I hadn’t even thought about it.’’
What mattered to him was that on Sunday the Rockies shook off a bit of its early season funk in a 10-4 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, their only victory in six games so far this season against the Dodgers, just their second win in their last nine games, and only their sixth victory in 17 games overall.
Now what matters to him is getting the focus in the right direction so that when the Rockies open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on Monday night they can build off that win against the Dodgers and try to put together some momentum.
What he has shown an ability to do is ignore the fact that he is in the final year of his contract, and his chances of finishing off this season, much less reaching an eighth anniversary, hinge on the ability of this team to be a factor in the NL West.
“For me, the length of my contract doesn’t define me,” he said. “The contract is not my motivation. My desire to manage this ballclub is, because I am passionate about this organization and its fan base. I love every day that I am on the job. That’s not going to change.”
It didn’t change in his first two full seasons, when life was a struggle, the Rockies patching their lineup with end-of-the-line veterans, trying to buy time until a farm system was being rebuilt began to produce. Then came 2005 and 2006 when Hurdle saw the prospects arrive at the big-league level, and manager and athletes began to mature.
Now Hurdle is at a point where winning is what matters. There was a franchise highlight in 2007 when the Rockies advanced to the World Series for the only time in franchise history, and then a step backward in 2008. What happens in 2009 will be what defines Hurdle’s managerial tenure at Coors Field.
And that is why Hurdle knows things need to change on the field for the Rockies, right now.
The early schedule was unique. The Rockies played a major-league fewest three home games among their first 14 games. They played more games in that stretch at Arizona – six.
This weekend marked the beginning of 14 out of 19 at Coors Field, a chance for the Rockies to bring some respectability back to the record. Then came back-to-back 6-5 loss to the Dodgers on Friday and Saturday, and the hope of reaching.500 by the end of April disappeared.
The questions about Hurdle’s future began to surface.
“That’s the reality of the game,’’ said Hurdle. “But that doesn’t mean it will be an issue for me. I have a lot of confidence in my own ability. I have a lot of confidence in the coaching staff. I have a lot of confidence in the players. If we play the game right, everything is going to work out fine.”
The Rockies played the game right on Sunday. After seeing the late-inning contingent of Huston Street, Jason Grilli and Manny Corpas fritter away a possible victory on Friday, and then having Ubaldo Jimenez pounded for six runs early on Saturday, the Rockies got the strong effort from starting pitcher Jason Marquis and an early offensive outburst they so vitally needed in salvaging the finale with the Dodgers.
Marquis, 3-1 for a team that is 6-11, shuttered the Dodgers offense for five innings on Sunday. By the time the Dodgers got to him on a two-run James Loney double in the sixth, the Rockies offense already had knocked out Dodger starter Clayton Kershaw.
They pounded the Dodger left-handed phenom for nine runs in the first five innings.
They had a four-run rally in the third inning despite having two runners thrown out on the bases thanks to two-run home runs from Clint Barmes and Ryan Spilborghs. They knocked him out with five more urns in a fifth inning highlighted by Jeff Baker’s triple over center fielder Matt Kemp’s head.
They had a day that could bode well for them in the upcoming visit by San Diego, although Hurdle isn’t making any predictions.
“Want to make God laugh?’’ Hurdle often says. “Tell him what you are going to do tomorrow.’’
At what point do you think the Rockies would pull the trigger on Hurdle? If they don’t turn this thing around do you see it just being Hurdle, or does O’Dowd go with him? How about coaches?
Hey Tracy,
Thanks for the story — it was a good one.
I think Clint Hurdle has a lot going for him: baseball smarts and the ability to translate that to players, an even temperament and a basic keep-after-it attitude. His own history as a player and coach proves he can take the ups and downs of both.
He also appears to be willing to still learn. The plan he employed during spring training proves that.
Hey, I’d like to see the Rockies winning more games. Today proved there’s a good foundation of talent; plenty of work still to do, though.
Bailing on Clint now (pulling the trigger, as David put it) would be a big mistake.
Let’s give him more time — and this team, too.
Tony B.
I think at the end of the stretch of these 19 that they are in right now is the defining moment inside the season for this team. It will determine if Hurdle stays and also will have ramifications for the Apodaca and O’Dowd too.
I will say I wish I could play (ok now work for in real life) for a manager like Hurdle, who just seemingly understands life. He seems to understand the players and ultimately it comes down to the players performing on the field. Some of the decisions he makes dont always seem right, but if I take a step back some of the decisions I make at work aren’t always right either. After seven years, a World Series appearance and a lineup on Opening Day of all homegrown talent, the organization has proven that they want to be a team from within with a team mindset that is a nucleus of togetherness.
Maybe after two close, yet maddening games, then with this game today this team shows that its not as bad as it has played and persons/fans like myself need to back off Hurdle and Apodaca until the end of this stretch. Lets see where the team is in a couple of weeks.
Hello Karl,
Couldn’t have said it better.
It’s a long season. Lots of baseball ahead.
The next couple of weeks should be interesting.
And again, you’re right. It could be the 2009 edition of the Rockies’ defining point. But the great thing about baseball is that so could June, July … or even August.
I say let’s let Clint and this bunch ride all the way to the barn. Then we’ll see.
Cheers,
Tony B.
Hurdle has lasted a long time because he is cheap.
I like the guy. But, as a manager, my computer baseball program could do better.
Hurdle does seem to make some odd in-game tactical decisions, but I can’t say I keep track of the end result of his moves, plus or minus.
OTOH, the Rockies have had a very good track record with young players in Hurdle’s tenure. How many haven’t fulfilled their potential? Chacon, but his control record was pretty bad in the minors the entire time. Francis got hurt, and he 9 outings of 110+ pitches in 2007, with a max of 119 pitches. (He was pulled several times with 119 pitches, so that must be the Rockies’ limit.) However, that wasn’t unusual for 2007’s NL innings leaders, nor was his 102 pitches/start average.
Mark,
No problem if you want to question Hurdle, but if you want to say because he is cheap, we’d like you to provide support for the contention. Just how cheap is he? And if you mean the Rockies are cheap which managers make more, which make less? One of the things we encourage is discussions that have a basis which can lead to further discussions, not merely emotional responses.
As for the computer program, Boston tried that with the computer approach to bullpen, fell apart one season and then realized there is a value to the human aspect to the game. Even Bill James the human factor can’t be computerized.
I think Hurdle is a very good man, both baseball and otherwise. However, I think as a tactician he is a little over his head. He is a players manager, which I am sure helps to have a good clubhouse, but doesn’t help you in managing the bullpen. I think this week will determine how long he stays this year. They should be able to take 2 out of 3 from the Padres as they miss Peavy. And, they miss Sanchez and Lincecum in SF this weekend. If they don’t win at least 3 this week, preferably 4, then the hole will just get deeper. It would be very hard for the players to stay motivated, no matter who the manager is, if they are 12 games out by May 15th.
I like Hurdle as well>>>> I not sure the players can hadle being ten games out again by May 15 or so. Or the fans as well…. Attendance is going to drop ifthey don’t start winning some games then they will not have money to evan be ave. Not sure something needs to be done this happens evey year its just hard!!!
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