Sporting News Honors Jim Tracy
Jim Tracy has been named Sporting News’ 2009 Manager of the Year for the National League. Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia received the award in the American League. Both Tracy and Scioscia were selected by a panel of 22 Major League Baseball managers.
Tracy is the second manager in Rockies history to receive Sporting News’ annual award. Don Baylor received the honor in 1995 when he guided the Rockies to the first post-season appearnace in franchsie history in the Rockies third year of existence.
“Jim was an integral part of the Rockies success this past season, and we are all very proud and happy for him to receive this accomplishment”, said Rockies Executive Vice President, General Manager Dan O’Dowd.
Tracy, 53, led the Rockies to a record of 74-42 (.638) in his first season as manager of the team.
Tracy, the fifth manager in club history, took over on May 29, 2009, when the club had a record of 18-28. From May 29 through the end of the season the Rockies were 32 games over .500 and posted the second-best record in the Major Leagues in that span, trailing only the New York Yankees’ mark of 76-39 (.661).
The club finished with a franchise-record 92 wins (92-70) and a franchise-best .568 winning percentage. Colorado earned a postseason berth by capturing the National League Wild Card for the second time in the past three years.
Tracy became the third manager in Rockies history to lead his team to the postseason, joining Clint Hurdle (2007) and Don Baylor (1995). By reaching the playoffs in 2009, the Rockies became just the 16th team in history to advance to the postseason after replacing a manager in-season.
The 2009 campaign marked Tracy’s first with the Rockies, as he was hired as a bench coach on November 24, 2008.
Tracy has managed eight seasons in the Majors, compiling a record of 636-614 (.509) with Colorado (2009), Pittsburgh (2006-07) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2001-05).
During his time with the Dodgers, the team posted winning records in four of five seasons under Tracy. He led the 2004 club to a first-place finish in the National League West.
For his efforts that season, Tracy finished third in the National League Manager of the Year (BBWAA) balloting.
Tracy has 32 seasons of experience in professional baseball as a manager, coach, and as a player. He served four seasons (1995-98) as bench coach of the Montreal Expos under manager Felipe Alou and two seasons (1999-2000) as the Dodgers bench coach under manager Davey Johnson.
He also spent seven seasons in the Montreal organization as a minor league manager with Peoria, Chattanooga, Harrisburg and Ottawa. Tracy was named Eastern League Manager of the Year in 1993.
Other Rockies who earned past Sporting News awards include Jason Jennings (National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year, 2002), Todd Helton (National League Player of the Year, 2000; National League Rookie Player of the Year, 1998) and Andres Galarraga (Comeback Player of the Year, 1993).
I think Don Baylor won the Sporting News award in 1995.
Is this award as highly regarded as the MLB NY Manager of the Year award? The Sporting News award has been around longer, but I’d guess its influence has waned.
Nice to have the recognition of the old school publication. Tracy clearly deserves the award.
Congratulations for Jim Tracy, he has done a wonderful job during this year.
Hey, Rockies fan, I got some news. This friday, 21 year old pitcher Jhoulys Chacin will be starting the Venezuelan League match between “Leones del Caracas” and “Aguilas del Zulia”.
The reports indicate that Jhoulys will de limited to at most three innings or 60 pitches. I hope to be at the stadium to watch and support him.
Probably, pitchers Franklin Morales and Edgmer Escalona will see some action during this season.
Also, Carlos Gonzalez will probably makes his debut on November 18th.
GO ROCKIES!!!
Cesar, please keep us posted on what goes on in Venezuela with the Rockies players this winter. Thanks for reading and writing.
Tracy
f/k/a Mike, you are correct and The Sporting News was wrong. The fact about Tracy being the first Rockies manager to win the award was from The Sporting News. I have edited the release to reflect the point you made.
Cesar, I think we all enjoy your posts! I had a son-in-law from Merida. You will have to cheer on the Rockies who play winter ball in Venezuela for us!
Jim Tracy is a gentleman and a class act. I my opinion, he was more than just “an integral part” of the success of the Rockies, but no need to split hairs…
Congrats Jim. Best of luck in 2010.
Is there any chance that the Rockies would talk to Orlando Hudson? He would be a great addition to this team and provide some really good leadership and talent. Barmes is not the answer at second.
I hope the Rockies sign Tracy to a deal soon. The way Giradi is managing (or mis-managing) the Yankees they may fire him even if the Yankees win the World Series and try to to sign Tracy. If the Rockies had De La Rosa I think, the Rocks, not the Phils are in the World Series. Of course Street would have had to save a game or two.
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