Cole reunites with former players on speedy Sky Sox

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Although Friday’s dismissal of Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was widely expected, Sky Sox second baseman Eric Young Jr. said it “was a little unexpected” to learn his Triple-A skipper Tom Runnells was subsequently called up to the Rockies to replace bench coach Jim Tracy, who was now assuming managerial duties on an interim basis.

“But now that I sit back and think about it,” Young continued, “it wasn’t too much of a shock that T.R. went up there. I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”

Runnells has been replaced by Stu Cole, who joined the Sky Sox on Sunday afternoon after managing the Double-A Tulsa Drillers for the past three-plus seasons.

That said, Young agreed with his hitting instructor Rene Lachemann, who was 1-1 as the interim manager while Cole transitioned from Tulsa to Colorado Springs, in surmising that not much ought to change under Cole’s leadership, for the speedy first-place Sky Sox (30-19).

“Stu’s going to come in, see what we’ve been doing and incorporate his own little style with it,” Young said. “I think it should be a lot of fun and continue what we’ve been doing.

“It’s going to be similar to what T.R. had—being aggressive on the bases, trying to get that next base, playing the small ball as well as just letting us play at certain times. I’m not really looking for a big change, but there’s going to be a little difference between T.R. and Stu.”

As for making things happen on the base paths, this year’s team is on pace – collectively and individually – to shatter the club record for stolen bases.

The Sky Sox have swiped a league-high 82 bases in just 49 games. The club record of 149 was set in 2000. Likewise, Young, who played in 45 of those games, leads the PCL with 30.

As a team, Colorado Springs also leads the PCL with a .309 batting average (22 percentage points higher than anyone else), 531 hits (they’ve tallied double-digit hits in 30 games) and total runs with 307. Individually both Young and Mike McCoy are tied for the league lead with 44 runs scored.

They also happen to strikeout less than any other team in the league, which helps to make the Sky Sox one of the single most exciting teams in the league. All season they’ve proven to be a team that’s able to make things happen once they have runners on base.

“The biggest thing would be the speed factor,” said Young, speaking of his leadoff role in the lineup, “just try and put pressure on the defense and maybe cause havoc and allow some of the other guy’s opportunities for success. That’s always been my game plan all through life and setting other people up for success.”

Young, who along with Mike McCoy bring consistency and leadership to the Sky Sox, acknowledged that he’s aware that changes with the Rockies roster could follow in the coming days and weeks as the underachieving parent club looks to the farm system to ignite its offense.

“I try not to think about it too much,” he said. “Of course, the thought always runs through your mind, but I have to continue proving (myself) down here, so when they do want to make a player change – and if, in fact, it is me – I’m ready to go.”

Young is by no means the only player in Colorado Springs who has previously played for Cole. Cole, 43 and 14-year veteran of the Rockies system, might be a newcomer to Triple-A, but he’s with nearly half the roster.

In fact, 10 of the players currently with the Sky Sox have passed through Tulsa during Cole’s time there.

Along with Young, this year’s Sky Sox feature five other players – pitchers Jarrett Grube, Brandon Hynick and Alan Johnson along with outfielder Matt Miller – who played in Tulsa last year, of which four of them played in previous seasons as well with four more players – Greg Reynolds, Christian Colonel, Jonathan Herrera and Chris Frey – from this year’s team.

“I enjoyed my season with him last year,” said Young, who played all of the ’08 season under Cole, “learned a lot from him and felt like I got better, so I’m looking forward to doing it up here.”

Familiar Surroundings: Stu Cole becomes the 12 manager in the history of the Sky Sox, but just the second skipper to return to the ballclub as a manager after first playing for the team. Cole played for the Sox from 1993-95, which includes having the distinction of being a member of the last Championship team in 1995. Paul Zuvella, who played in Colorado Springs from 1988-89 before managing the team in 1997-98, is the only other player to have returned as manager.