Rockies’ interim manager sees ‘opportunity’ for change
The morning after his opening night as Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer worked out in the hotel gym in Arlington Texas It s part of who he is Schaeffer s DNA includes sweat equity discipline routine attention to detail and passion That s why when plenty of others see the Rockies and their - record as the majors unholy mess Schaeffer has a far different take This is an opportunity he stated Tuesday during a phone interview before the Rockies played the Rangers Schaeffer wasn t just talking about his career opportunity but about the squad s chance to turn around a dismal season If the Rockies as an organization doesn t look at this as an opportunity to move forward we re missing out he explained I look at it like this and I want the boys to look at it like this too every day is a day where you show up to work and we can move the ball forward Monday night in Schaeffer s first challenge at the helm Colorado lost - to the Rangers Despite another loss Schaeffer was encouraged I thought we played a fantastic match Schaeffer noted That s something to build on Now if we can stack tonight on top of that and then again the next morning and then the day after and so forth then we ll move forward But that s a decision that the players have to make every single day The wins will come if that s what we are collectively building The Rockies third base and infield coach since Schaeffer took over as manager for Bud Black on Sunday when Black was fired after eight-plus seasons in Colorado Before that he d spent his career in the Rockies farm system as a contestant coach and manager Several current Rockies players including two-time Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle Gold Glove shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and reserve outfielder Sean Bouchard played under Schaeffer at Triple-A Albuquerque Schaeffer received glowing reviews Inquired if Schaeffer was the right man to try to reverse the Rockies downward spiral Doyle was direct One hundred percent We need somebody like him to take charge and really help us get turned around Bouchard who played games under Schaeffer in is a fan The first things that come to my mind are work ethic resource and humbleness Bouchard noted For as long as I have known him he s constantly been one of the hardest-working coaches Schaeff s work ethic and resource are incredibly infectious Nonetheless Schaffer s golden opportunity comes with tremendous obstacles Colorado entered Tuesday night tied with the Orioles Red Sox and Phillies for worst start in the Modern Era since Through Monday Colorado had been outscored by runs the second-worst run differential through games since with only the Oakland Athletics worse at minus- Colorado s batting average and OPS both rank third from the bottom with its squad ERA being the second-highest While owner Dick Monfort predicted in February that the Rockies had a chance to have one of the best defenses in the history of the match the Rockies at present have one of the worst defenses in the majors ranking th in defensive runs saved across all positions Colorado s fielding percentage was the worst in the majors while its errors were the second-most The club has been without Tovar hip bruise since April and new second baseman Thairo Estrada broken wrist has yet to suit up But Schaeffer doesn t use injuries as an excuse And he vowed that the defense would improve Related Articles Chase Dollander carries no-hitter into sixth inning but Rockies falter in Warren Schaeffer s managerial debut Bud Black s firing was inevitable but messy even by the Rockies standards Keeler Bud Black Fall guy If Rockies Dick Monfort are serious about change they ll fire GM Bill Schmidt Warren Schaeffer Rockies interim manager brings high ability to job candidates who could replace Bud Black as next manager of the Rockies Up until two days ago I was in charge of the infield defense and I will take full responsibility for that he commented We work hard every single day but I m not going to make any excuses at all for our defense because I expect it to be better I don t care if Tovie is hurt guys are more than capable of stepping in there Schaeffer predicts that Colorado s avalanche of bad baseball is nearing its end When things are going bad which they have been there is a tendency for a lot to go bad he announced I think that s what we ve seen in the first games That being announced we have every intention of moving forward Want more Rockies news Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis
