The Colorado Rockies have named Walt Weiss as the club's new manager, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
Weiss, 48, was one of four candidates that interviewed for the position. On Tuesday, word surfaced that the Rockies had narrowed their choices to Weiss and Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams. Rockies bench coach Tom Runnells and first baseman/pinch hitter Jason Giambi were the other two candidates.
The Rockies likely picked Weiss over Williams due to his ties with the club's current front office regime, as the former big league shortstop spent several years as Dan O'Dowd's special assistant. Most recently, Weiss has been working as the head coach for Aurora's Regis Jesuit High School.
In 14 years as a player, Weiss showed a proficiency for getting on base, but little else in the way of hitting. He posted a career .258/.351/.326 batting line (that slugging percentage is not a typo). He played for the Rockies from 1994 to 1997.
We'll have further analysis on the hire in the days to come. Be sure to stay with us.