The Rockies have announced, via Twitter, that Jim Tracy resigned as manager and the resignation is effective immediately.
"Jim Tracy is a man that has brought professionalism to the Rockies organization since 2009," said Rockies senior vice president of Major League operations Bill Geivett in a statement. "However, Jim has decided that he no longer wants to move forward as manager. We respect Jim's decision, and we wish Jim and his family the best of luck as we begin our search for the right person to become the next manager of our organization."
Geivett and Tracy began discussions on Friday regarding Tracy's future. Tracy had a handshake agreement to manage in 2013 and was due to be paid $1.4MM. Troy Renck of the Denver Post, who broke the story, tweeted there are no plans for Tracy to remain with the organization.
In a separate tweet, Renck reports bench coach Tom Runnells and Triple-A manager Stu Cole are expected to be in-house candidates to replace Tracy, but not Jason Giambi because he wants to continue his playing career.
Tracy had been under fire after leading the Rockies to a last place finish in the NL West with a franchise record for losses at 64-98. It was a tumultuous season in Colorado. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca resigned only to be replaced by co-pitching coaches Bo McLaughlin and Jim Wright. There was an experiment with a four-man rotation that has since been scrapped, although the concept of hybrid relievers and a strict pitch count will continue. GM Dan O'Dowd also relinquished day-to-day Major League duties to Geivett, who moved into an office in the Coors Field clubhouse and was with the team for every road trip.
Tracy, the fifth manager in Rockie history, also has the distinction of helping guide the Rockies to their best record (92-70 in 2009) resulting in a Wild Card berth and Tracy being named NL Manager of the Year. Since then, however, Tracy has posted a 220-266 record with declining win totals in each of those three seasons.
“You can’t fire me, I quit”
thats the spirit
“i can’t quit you, so just fire me” ??
there’s something missing in the thin air, isn’t there? hard to believe they were so close just those few years ago
Todd Helton for manager
idk maybe they can get Ramon Hernedaz to take a pay cut to move to manager then fire him, you know save money on Herndez then hire Helton
I was actually just thinking that. It gets him off the diamond but keeps him in baseball he seems smart enough and the fans might love to see him there
Wanted to go out on his own terms, perhaps?
I know he’ll catch on somewhere, but in what capacity?
Rodeo Clown?
Hmm. Don’t get all the thumbs down. Definitely won’t be a manager, but an front office position? I definitely wouldn’t be surprised.
RYNE SANDBERG!!!!!!! If the Rockies don’t have him on speed dial now and schedule him for an interview before somebody else snatches him up, they have no hope for the next few seasons either.
Sandberg was JUST called up to the Phillies’ big league club. I doubt he tries to go somewhere else.
As a coach, not a manager. The Phillies said they would allow him to interview for positions.
Of course he will. If somebody offers him a major-league manager position, he’ll take it in a heartbeat.
Sandberg has been available for several seasons. The Cubs of all teams had openings two years in a row and passed both times. Don’t get your hopes up for Sandberg.
He’s just upset that Jason Phillips wouldn’t come out of retirement to be his cleanup hitter again.
This.
Giambi could be a player/manager. Brilliant! :p
It’s not unheard of. Pete Rose did it for a few years with the Reds.
Perhaps this is Alomar’s calling card…
Rockies hire Sandberg, Alomar, Valentine and Francona, giving them a 4-man rotation at manager.
This comment wins. Thank you for making me lol.
I think I was more stunned at his method of leaving the Rockies then the actual way it happened. Anyway it had to be done, this guy was easily the Worst Manager in baseball this year.
I don’t think any manager could’ve win with this Rockies roster. And the Worst Manager…was the guy managing the Boston ball club, not Tracy.
that’s really the only reason why not Jason Giambi?
Tony DeFrancesco went 15-15 in the final month+ of the season while managing the worst major league roster of the last 50 years. Perhaps he should get a phone call.