Fansided

Rockies players defend manager Walt Weiss as team flounders

By Dani Bostick

May 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) is checked out by manager Walt Weiss (center) and trainer Keith Dugger (right) after being hit by a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) is checked out by manager Walt Weiss (center) and trainer Keith Dugger (right) after being hit by a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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This is the opposite of blame shifting.

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Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss is finishing the penultimate year of his three-year, $2 million contract and hopes to keep his job. One problem, the Rockies have had about as success playing this season as trees have growing above the timberline. In other words: Hardly any.

With a 206-274 overall record and a 66-90 record so far this season, Weiss’ performance at the helm has not inspired confidence among his superiors. His players, however, have his back.

Both Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez defended their manager. Arenado told the Denver Post, “I think Walt did a good job. I really do. You can’t blame him for the way we played. At the end of the day, we weren’t very good this year. The blame doesn’t go to him…. Hopefully we’ll have some guys next year ready to play and give him a better chance to win.”

Gonzales was equally supportive, pointing out the personnel problems that have plagued the organization: “It’s tough on (Weiss) because you don’t have the guys any manager would ask for, rotation-wise. There’s always a different guy pitching. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for a manager. But at the same time, he’s handled it very well.”

They players’ message: Give Weiss some talented guys to work with, and then see what his record is. Meanwhile, the Rockies will lose at least 90 games this season for the third time in four years. Arenado described the situation very accurately, staying, “We haven’t been very good.”

General manager Jeff Bridich could go for a quick, high-visibility fix and replace Weiss before his contract ends. Arenado and Gonzales, however, don’t sound hopeful that a new manager is what the team needs to reverse their fortunes.

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