Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Staying the course

O'Dowd, Hurdle get contract extensions and Monfort's praise

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 7, 2006 at midnight

Text size  

More Colorado Rockies

More stories »

The Colorado Rockies on Monday answered any questions about the futures of general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle.

The two were given one-year contract extensions, through 2007, eliminating any uncertainty that might have surrounded them when spring training opens next week.

"Rather than going into spring training with everyone asking what's going to happen, we decided to get this out of the way and focus on the task at hand, winning the NL West," owner Charlie Monfort said.

"We made some policy decisions that we had to dig our way out of. It would be unfair for Dan and Clint to go through that battle and not have a chance to reap the benefits."

Hurdle said he wasn't concerned about his contract situation but felt the extension was a strong statement by ownership.

"I learned a long time ago when you have a job you do that job and don't get concerned about the other things," he said. "I do think this shows (ownership) believes in what we are trying to do and appreciates how we are going about doing it."

After O'Dowd's first season as general manager, 2000, the most recent year the team produced a winning record, the Rockies made a major financial investment in left-handed pitchers Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle with the belief they would make the team a serious contender in the National League West.

Instead, they struggled and became financial burdens that hung over the Rockies until the end of the 2005 season.

Meanwhile, in 2003, the team's management decided to take a build-from-within approach, and the first major wave arrived a year ago in left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis, reliever Scott Dohmann, third baseman Garrett Atkins, center fielder Cory Sullivan and right fielder Brad Hawpe.

While the Rockies struggled early last season, when they used 19 rookies, they went 30-28 in the final two months, including 17-14 on the road as they rebounded from a road start that ranked among the worst in major-league history.

"We've said all along that the farm system and the players who come through it are Dan's report card," Monfort said. "Based on last year, that's a good report card. We also feel Clint has done a good job of bringing things together at the big- league level, and the players are confident in him."

O'Dowd became the second general manager in franchise history on Sept. 20, 1999, replacing Bob Gebhard.

The Rockies went 82-80 in O'Dowd's first year, their only winning record since 1997, but the team has failed to finish above fourth place in the NL West since 1997.

"I feel good about what we are doing and, fortunately, the people I work for see the strengths in our approach," O'Dowd said. "I made some bad decisions along the way, but I feel I've learned from them. I believe in my ability to do the job and feel good about where the franchise is headed."

Hurdle initially joined the Rockies as minor-league hitting coordinator. He joined the major-league team as hitting coach in 1997 and became the fourth manager in franchise history when he replaced Buddy Bell on April 26, 2002.

The Rockies have gone 276-350 since Hurdle took over, but they have compiled a 171-143 record at Coors Field, second to Don Baylor in winning percentage in their home stadium since it opened in 1995.

"In pro sports, a management person in the final year of his contract is unfortunately viewed as a true lame duck," Monfort said. "The focus is on what's going to happen, even though they are signed to a contract. We wanted to take that issue off the radar screen and have everyone concentrate on the games being played on the field."