Comments on: The Seven-Year Hitch http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/ News and commentary about the Colorado Rockies from Tracy Ringolsby, Jack Etkin and Steve Foster Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:28:38 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Trey http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1432 Trey Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:23:09 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1432 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!!! 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!!!

]]> By: Robb (Durango, CO) http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1430 Robb (Durango, CO) Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:23:15 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1430 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 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.

]]> By: Tracy Ringolsby http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1428 Tracy Ringolsby Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:31:10 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1428 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. 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.

]]> By: Mike http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1426 Mike Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:46:44 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1426 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. 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.

]]> By: Mark http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1424 Mark Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:49:17 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1424 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 has lasted a long time because he is cheap.

I like the guy. But, as a manager, my computer baseball program could do better.

]]> By: Tony Benjamin http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1421 Tony Benjamin Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:53:34 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1421 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. 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.

]]> By: Karl http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1420 Karl Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:54:33 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1420 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. 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.

]]> By: Tony Benjamin http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1419 Tony Benjamin Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:48:07 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1419 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. 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.

]]> By: David Martin http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/04/26/the-seven-year-hitch/comment-page-1/#comment-1417 David Martin Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:40:13 +0000 http://www.insidetherockies.com/?p=1578#comment-1417 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? 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?

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