Tuesday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ Oates on May 22, 2007 10:05 AM MDT in Rockpile

Have you visited Monforts Must Sell yet? In his latest column, Mark Kiszla did.

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La Troy Hawkins should be activated today and, as Jack Etkin points out, there are two possible choices: demote Darren Clarke back to the minors or DFA Tom Martin. Which one do you expect to happen?

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So Renck has this article on how Hurdle does feel the urgency of the team's situation. Here's part of a quote from Hurdle in that article:

"We don't ever say it's OK this has happened."

True, but in the words of others, Hurdle might just be saying: "Through our play over the past six seasons, we've shown that it's OK this has happened." You decide.

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Dave Krieger's right, no one has tried to place the offensive struggles on new hitting coach Alan Cockrell. Nor can we place all the blame on Cockrell, even if the guys haven't exactly lived up to their pasts. It's much like Helton's quote from the other day concerning the pinch hitter. He'd only be a scapegoat for larger problems in the organization. And I thought someone was going to blame the team's dental plan.

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I expect Clark to be demoted

I want Martin to be DFA but I don't think it will happen. I think the front office would rather stick with the veteran. The way things are going for the Rockies it's just looking hopeless. I'm not sure how much longer I can stand it.

by Blake20th on May 22, 2007 9:46 AM MDT reply actions

It looks like that's the case

According to a new article by Renck, Clarke is not listed as available to pitch tonight. Who's lame brain idea is it to send down a kid that's only been here for 4 days and has done well in his extremely limited time he's been here to keep Martin? Add this as yet one more frustratingly stupid things that management has done this year.

by lgh77 on May 22, 2007 5:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Confirmed

Clarke has been optioned back to Tulsa.

by lgh77 on May 22, 2007 5:44 PM MDT up reply actions

Its refreshing

To see the local media finally grow a pair and go after the Rockies Organization a bit and hold them accountable.

By the sound of things we might have a new manager fairly soon. Over under 2 weeks?

Some possibilities:

Walt Weiss
Jamie Quirk
Dante Bichette (doubtful)
Marcel Latchman
Joe Girardi (doubtful)

I think the odds are that if Hurdle is canned, then we will still probably remain in house for his replacement. I think Quirk is the best bet for taking over the team.

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 10:10 AM MDT reply actions

Girardi/Bichette

More specifically Girardi......is far more likely to be a possibility in the off-season.

I think Quirk is the most likely....but he'd probably only be named "Intern-Manager" for the rest of the season.

In the off-season we'd then interview guys like Girardi

by sg8335aa on May 22, 2007 10:21 AM MDT up reply actions

Hurdle

Don't forget, Hurdle was an "Intern Manager" as well. I am fine with Quirk for now, but if they do go with Quirk, I hope in the off season they sit down and interview other guys as well. Lets do this thing right this time.

There is nothing wrong with making guys compete for a roster spot, and their is also nothing wrong with making several guys compete and interview for a managing job as well.

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions

Giaradi / manager changes

I'd love to see Girardi as the manager. I'd love for Hurdle to be fired.

But the more I watch this organization I don't think either will be done. Why fire Hurdle, and pay off his contract...and pay another guy? That's paying 2 guys to do one guys work.

Also Girardi with his "manager of the year" award on his mantle will be able to command a respectable salary. One which the Rockies and the Monforts will not pay..ever.

I would like a Manager to come in mid season. Not because I think this season can be salvaged, as it's over, but to give a partial season of evaluating his "talent". Then using that time to make informed off season changes where he's familiar with what he's got, or not got.

Worst run organization in professional sports!

by Redhawk on May 22, 2007 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions

I just don't see

Girardi coming here. I do think Clint will get the axe soon, given as much bad press as the Rockies have gotten in the past few days. People want the Rockies to show some life, and to show that they are willing to hold people accountable. Firing Hurdle does that, and I think chances are good that he is gone in 2 weeks.

I don't thin we will see Girardi come here though. With as bad as the Yankees have done this year, I think there is a chance Torre is gone, and I think thats the job that Girardi is going to hold out for. If he wanted to manage another team, he would be working for the Nats right now.

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions

I think you are right

on Giardi. I think he would be a great manager for the Rockies, and would love to see him here. If I were the GM, I'd make a big push to get him.

However, O'Dowd is the GM, and the Monforts are the owners. In this real world which team looks better the Yankees, or the Rockies? It's not even close. Not even in the same class.

Where I'm not sure you are right is firing of Hurdle. But that's only cause I've given up All hope that the Rockies are ran with any passing resemblince of an organization that even cares.

The Rockies: Worst owners in professional sports!

by Redhawk on May 22, 2007 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions

On the 'Ok' remark

this is precisely my quarrel with the entire Rockies administration. This is not okay. It is really disgraceful for a mlb team to play this way, and it's even more disgraceful that the admin is STILL trusting that we'll turn it around. It's May. Time to make some moves or give up. Unfortunately, I always get the feeling the Rockies have really given up by the seventh inning. I don't know. I can't say anything more that hasn't been said already, so I won't beat a dead horse. I just have one question. How long until SOMETHING changes? Something that actually makes me have some kind of faith in this team?

Never mind.

by Squeaky on May 22, 2007 10:11 AM MDT reply actions

Even with all of this media talk,

I don't think that Hurdle's going anywhere anytime soon. It seems that change occurs pretty slow around here. although it's a possibility... remember when Hawkins was bumped from the 8th and now Mabry got sent down... Perhaps if change is going to happen I would look for it sometime in July (much to late to make a difference, but that's the way things are done around here).

by Blake20th on May 22, 2007 10:21 AM MDT up reply actions

Until the Monforts sell

The Rockies will look like the owners. They don't care if the team has mounting losses. It's "ok". give the manager and GM extensions and reward losing. It's OK. But since we are already paying them, might as well have them doing the work. It's cheaper then paying them not to Manage, and paying another person to manage.

Play like you are over the hill? It's OK..we'll keep running you out there. Unless you are leading the league in batting...then you have to go..cause you make WAY too much money. We have minor leaguers that can be promoted at minimum wage to fill your spot. (they can't lead the league in hitting..but that's not the goal) After all we have to save money to resign a payer 3 years from now..cause winning now or next year...isn't really a concern..It's OK to not care.

Rockies: Worst ran organization in baseball (all of sports? including the Arizona Cardinals)

We may stink, but we won't be swept!

by Redhawk on May 22, 2007 10:29 AM MDT reply actions

That is an eloquent way

To say exactly what I was thinking.

If I had just not gone to all those games last year. Maybe I just wouldn't care so much. I'm remembering why I have lived in Colorado and loved baseball for 10 years and have only really cared about the Rockies for a year of that.

Never mind.

by Squeaky on May 22, 2007 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions

Hurdle will go -- for the wrong reasons

Because of this groundswell of fan and media anger which has finally occured (about 7 years too late, I might add) Hurdle will be fired soon. It really won't change things, but it will distract everyone's attention from the real problem -- the Monforts. The M's will make a bunch of statements about how they've "got the message" and they're "demanding a new committment from the team" and so on. The media will back off. The all-too-forgiving fans will stop signing petitions....and the Rockies will continue to come in at the bottom of the division. Then, in a couple of years, this all begins again and Jamie Quirk (or whoever) will get the ax and the Monforts will declare a new direction. meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

by BroJB @ Purple Row on May 22, 2007 11:20 AM MDT reply actions

Agreed

The problem with this organization starts at the top. The Monforts only care that they are the guys who run the local baseball team, so they can feel like important people in the community. They will NEVER be in the caliber of Bowlen or Kroenke, who care about winning and putting a respectable product on display for their loyal fans. O'Dowd and Hurdle are not without accountability in this also, but they have their hands tied by ownership, as to what they affect on the field. I hate to say it, but until the Monforts entertain the idea of finally selling the team, we Rockies faithful will have to endure many more years of heartbreak and dispair. The saying goes "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got". No truer words can apply to this ownership group. They make me sick to be a Rockies fan.

by easccp on May 22, 2007 12:03 PM MDT up reply actions

Monfort's

will have to do something even if they are cheap.
They have to be humiliated being the butt of cartoons, a web site, negative press, and the most hostile fans in a long time. I don't think firing Hurdle will pacify the fans for long this time. Hurdle should be fired because he is a bad manager and not as a scapegoat. He still makes the same mistakes after 5 years. Unfortunately, with these guys as owners unless they do a 180, IMO the future holds more of the same.

by DieHardRoxFan on May 22, 2007 11:49 AM MDT reply actions

I'm out of

town, and will be gone for another week, so I haven't watched any games lately. However, I have been reading what I can on the internet, and this is serious. Honestly, I'm so glad I'm not home, or even in the country right now so I don't have to worry about accidentally catching SportsCenter. From what has happened, and what I've been reading, it seems that there is little chance the Monforts/O'Dowd can get away with not firing Hurdle if they want anybody to go to games the rest of the season. The chances a move like thet will immediately turn this team around are slim, but they can't sit there and do nothing. Besides the previous candidates, I'd like to throw one more in the ring. Chances of this happening are slim to none, and he has no experience, but what about Vinny Castilla? I mean what the hell? The season is in the tank, the players love him, so why not. Could he really manage the pen much worse? Anyway, those are my thoughts. From the Eastern Hemisphere, I'm going to bed.

by Knepster on May 22, 2007 12:00 PM MDT reply actions

What about Baylor?

I know he has had some health issues to deal with, but if he is healthy, why not bring him back. He knew how to manage in Coors better than anyone who has been here since. The only thing that I see is that he too may dispise the ownership and management here since he was run out of town.

by easccp on May 22, 2007 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions

How about me?

I will literally manage the Rockies for 100,000 a year for as long as they'll have me. That's a pretty good deal. I'm really cheap. Anyone want to be my hitting coach?

by Blake20th on May 22, 2007 12:16 PM MDT up reply actions

I'll be a coach

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 12:18 PM MDT up reply actions

Which coach do you want to be?

Well, I guess I'll have to clear this all with Danny Boy before I start hiring coaches.

by Blake20th on May 22, 2007 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Bench Coach

So when you get ejected I can manage the team.

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions

If I know myself,

You'll be managing your fair share.

by Blake20th on May 22, 2007 12:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Well

Until I get thrown out..

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 12:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Not too Sure on Baylor

He's another name to add to the list, but not sure if its best to go down roads that are already traveled. Lets bring in a somewhat fresh face. I like Castilla idea a lot, and he works with the Rockies F.O. and has managing experience in Mexico. He could be a real good fit here.

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions

Ideas on how to go to attend Rockies games

but send a message to the Monforts at the same time:

Do what the Monforts do! Search for last minute bargins! Like picking up Finley or Hawkins or Fogg, only buy cut-rate tickets that someone else is trying to get rid of moments before their usefulness expires.

(note this idea was stolen from the Monforst Must Sell web page...I just loved it too much, so I swiped it!)

The Rockies: Worst owners in professional sports!

by Redhawk on May 22, 2007 12:27 PM MDT reply actions

Actually...

I know it's only a joke, but the street market around Coors is the best I've ever seen. Nothing like handing a guy a twenty and sitting three seats behind the visiting dugout.

by MattTheRock on May 22, 2007 12:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Even though they suck,

I still wish I lived in Denver and could actually go to a game.... check that... I wish I had direcTV instead of Dish so I could watch games even. Thank goodness for XM and Gameday.

by Blake20th on May 22, 2007 12:51 PM MDT up reply actions

Tickets

I usually get the cheap King Soopers tickets. They used to be $2, then they raised it to $5. Now it's $8. They're always good seats, but at this point I could probably do better on the street before the ball game.

Actually, I can do even better staying at home and using my $8 on a 12 pack of High Life. I'm guaranteed to get more consistency and enjoyment out of that.

by BroJB @ Purple Row on May 22, 2007 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions

In fairness...

Are we even having this discussion if Atkins were hitting .330 instead of .230 and if our bullpen were performing well?

The Monforts, O'Dowd, Hurdle... they're all just scapegoats. The real problem is that we've got an underachieving team right now. Firing Hurdle might sufficiently stir the pot, but the only thing that can turn the performance of the 2007 Rockies around is an improvement ON the field.

I disagree that the Monforts aren't willing to spend the money to win (how much were those contracts for Hampton and Neagle again?) and I disagree that they won't spend money in the future (in all honesty, it hasn't been prudent for the payroll to increase dramatically over the last three seasons). I do, however, agree that they need to do SOMETHING, and soon, because of this intense fan backlash.

The fans have spoken. I, for one, am proud to see it. It's a good sign that people still care a great deal about this team. Now it's the Monforts' move. If I had a prediction, I'd say Hurdle's gone by mid-June, barring an on-field improvement. It wouldn't have much of an impact in all likelihood, but it'd be something.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - The Row's only Josh Fogg fan

by Franchise26 on May 22, 2007 1:54 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah we would....

"Are we even having this discussion if Atkins were hitting .330 instead of .230 and if our bullpen were performing well?"

Well, yeah we probably are. Atkins was great last season and the bullpen was fine as the season moved on...and the Rox still finished last.

This team's problems are far deeper than Atkins or Ramirez or whomever. The Rockies fundamentals stink, with a few obvious exceptions no one hits in the clutch, they have AAA pitchers at the back of the rotation and they cling to underachievers like Brad Hawpe and Jamey Carroll as if they're all-stars.

As for the Hampton/Neagle thing -- good god, that's ancient history. If we have to go back that far for an example of ownership opening up its purse, the point is pretty well made.

Anyone else remember the Monforts, back in 2004 and 2005 pointing to the 2006 season as the year the money will flow, once the Hampton, Neagle and Walker contracts were off the books? Where, exactly, did the money flow to?

Now, in an act of self-fulfilling prophecy, they point to diminshed revenues from declining ticket sales as the reason behind no further spending, all the while being the VERY CAUSE of that diminished revenue. Decent ownership would invest in a winning team, bringing 50,000+ to the ballpark every night, resulting in more revenue, more spending and more winning. Right now, we are trapped in the EXACT OPPOSITE of that cycle-- and it's gotta change, or else Las Vegas or Portland will be enjoying their new purple-hued franchise before too long.

by BroJB @ Purple Row on May 22, 2007 2:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Re:

"This team's problems are far deeper than Atkins or Ramirez or whomever. The Rockies fundamentals stink, with a few obvious exceptions no one hits in the clutch, they have AAA pitchers at the back of the rotation and they cling to underachievers like Brad Hawpe and Jamey Carroll as if they're all-stars."

You'll get no argument from me on this. What I do want to know is how the Monforts selling this baseball team will fix that.

I'm on the 'Fire Hurdle' bandwagon now. I was one of the last holdouts, but seeing this team lethargically play its way towards the cellar has convinced me that it's something that has to be done.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - The Row's only Josh Fogg fan

by Franchise26 on May 22, 2007 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions

M's

" What I do want to know is how the Monforts selling this baseball team will fix that."

Let's set aside the obvious point about going out and paying for top free agents, investing in the likes of an Andrew Jones or even coming up with the coin to keep Jason Jennings. Keeping money entirely out of it, let's move on to something else.

Everything you need to know is contained in this question:

Can you imaging an owner like Pat Bowlen, or Stan Kroenke or Mark Cuban giving Dan O'Dowd and Clint Hurdle TWO YEAR contract extensions after maintaining a stranglehold on last place year after year?

Reward medicotory and you continue to get mediocrity. That's not Baseball 101, thats Life 101.

by BroJB @ Purple Row on May 22, 2007 2:19 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm with you

And I believe I made the same point in this article at my blog: http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies/2007/04/02/an-audio-guide-to-opening-day-and-ownership-latrocity/

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I am saying that the things that are hurting this team right now are not all of a sudden going to fix themselves if the Monforts sell the baseball team tomorrow.

And for everybody who mentions Stan Kroenke as a potential owner... you're living in a dream world.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - The Row's only Josh Fogg fan

by Franchise26 on May 22, 2007 2:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Need to elaborate on that one

Why do you think Kroenke is a pipe dream? I mean I think the Monforts actually selling to anyone is a very long shot (some where around it snowing in Dallas, TX in August) but I would think Kroenke is on a short list of buyers if the Monforts sell.

The Monforts selling isn't an instant change (that really doesn't exist in baseball) but it would sure start the car moving (potentially) as it's not going any where ever, WITH the Monforts.

The Rockies: Worst owners in professional sports!

by Redhawk on May 22, 2007 4:50 PM MDT up reply actions

Kroenke

The guy already owns every other pro team in Denver (except the Broncos) and just bought a share of some soccer team in England. What makes anyone think he's got the resources to be the mega-bucks owner we all think the Rockies need is beyond me. Don't get me wrong - I think he'd be a great owner, but I think he's almost spread too thin as it is.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - The Row's only Josh Fogg fan

by Franchise26 on May 22, 2007 6:59 PM MDT up reply actions

As I mentioned

once before, I have read that Kroenke did indeed approach the Monforts about the Rockies. The Monforts told him they were not interested in selling.

by Knepster on May 22, 2007 10:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Do you know where you read that?

I'd be interested in hearing details

by Blake20th on May 23, 2007 2:48 PM MDT up reply actions

Hurdle

I give him until the St. Luis homestand. If we loose that series, I think he's gone

by wolf213 on May 22, 2007 2:05 PM MDT up reply actions

I wonder.....

how much of Hurdle's refusal to bench some guys and play others (Spilborgs) are his protesting O'Dowd bringing in these outside consultants. There may be a great deal more friction than what the press is reporting.

Hurdle just has losing written all over him and has most of his career. Bad karma. Time to try some new karma.

by PinchHitLancePainter on May 22, 2007 2:13 PM MDT reply actions

hahahaha

youre always good for a laugh, pinchhit. thanks for brightening my morning. yes... lets fire hurdle... because of.... KARMA. best reasoning ever. did hurdle personally beat up your grandmother or something? youre out to get the guy fired, backed up with some the poorest reasoning this side of woody paige.

hahhahahahah... karma. thats a new one. youre killing me here.

also, tony la russa, career: 170 games played, .199 BA, 7 RBI. guy's got losing written all over him.

Rockies in October.

by LarryB303 on May 23, 2007 7:20 AM MDT up reply actions

Wow

I am thoroughly impressed that the soft CO media has finally grown a pair and attacked not Hurdle, not O'Dowd, but the Monfort boys themselves. Kudos to Kizla and the Post.

Now, Charlie, Dick...we know you're good guys. When I turn 21, we can sit and have a beer together.

But please, for the love of god, do the right thing here. Sell the Rockies. Let someone with the cash, the drive, and the experience take over.

It'll just work out for the best, mmkay?

by oo_nrb on May 22, 2007 2:15 PM MDT reply actions