DENVER | The Colorado Rockies new manager is fresh out of the Regis Jesuit dugout.
Walt Weiss was hired by the Rockies Wednesday to become sixth manager in the history of the franchise, just five months after he led Regis Jesuit to the semifinals of the Class 5A state championship series.
The 48-year-old Weiss returns to the organization he played shortstop for from 1994-97 and fills the void left by the departure of former manager Jim Tracy, who resigned Oct. 7 after leading Colorado to a 64-98 record. Weiss, who was chosen over finalist Matt Williams, will be introduced at a press conference at noon Friday at Coors Field.
Weiss, meanwhile, took over the Regis Jesuit program after serving as an assistant under Steve Cavnar on its run to the 2011 5A state title and posted a 20-6 record in his only season at the helm. The Raiders — featuring Weiss’ son Brody as the starting shortstop — made it to 5A’s Final Four before falling to eventual state champion Cherry Creek.
The former All-Star shortstop spent 14 seasons in the major leagues, won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1988 while with the Oakland A’s and also played for the Rockies, Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves. He was a member of four World Series championship teams.
Weiss becomes the sixth manager in the Rockies franchise history, following Tracy (2009-12), Clint Hurdle (2002-09), Buddy Bell (2000-02), Jim Leyland (1999) and Don Baylor (1993-98).
Regis Jesuit players were thrilled with the Rockies’ hiring of Weiss, even if it meant they wouldn’t have him in the dugout in the spring.
“The way he respects the game, he’ll be a very successful coach,” senior catcher Jake Leathers told the Associated Press Thursday. “He’s going to get the program headed in the right direction.”
Junior pitcher David Peterson eagerly absorbed any bit of wisdom Weiss had to share and is confident Colorado made the right choice.
“He knows how to play it right and teach it well,” Peterson said. “He’ll take over the clubhouse and turn things around.”
Asked for any good Weiss stories, junior outfielder Brooks Urich just laughed. He will never forget Weiss taking infield with the team during practice.
“Not to say he’s old or anything, but he was just so smooth and threw the ball around the infield like he was playing in the majors the day before,” Urich said. “Just amazing.”
Pat Graham of The Associated Press contributed to this report
