Los Angeles
CHANGE MY LOCATION
Russ Oates
Colorado Rockies ExaminerRuss has followed the team faithfully since 1996. A decade later, he began writing about the Rockies. He is currently working towards a master's degree in history.
Examiner Feeds
These websites were picked by the Colorado Rockies Examiner as useful resources.Denver Examiners
Kevin Rook, Ph.D.
Denver Technology Examiner
Most Recent Post
Free, legal, and useful retail software every day!
Denver Technology Examiner
Most Recent Post
Free, legal, and useful retail software every day!
Richard Taylor
Denver Forgotten Communities Examiner
Most Recent Post
150 unsung heroes honored for Denver's 150th anniversary
Denver Forgotten Communities Examiner
Most Recent Post
150 unsung heroes honored for Denver's 150th anniversary
Carol Orsini
Denver Video Game Examiner
Most Recent Post
10 commandments of video games: Original ideas
Denver Video Game Examiner
Most Recent Post
10 commandments of video games: Original ideas
Miranda K. Bacon
Denver Crime Examiner
Most Recent Post
More than 1,000 people watch as boy kills himself on webcam
Denver Crime Examiner
Most Recent Post
More than 1,000 people watch as boy kills himself on webcam
Send us your topic suggestions
What's Bob Apodaca done lately?
Add a Comment
by Russ Oates, Colorado Rockies Examiner
In his latest mailbag, the Denver Post's Troy E. Renck tackles a question conerning pitching coaches. The reader-submitted question asked whether the Rockies should consider dumping current coach Bob Apodaca and bringing in the currently unemployed Leo Mazzone. Part of Renck's response includes this:
Since he filled out his first staff for the 2003 season, manager Clint Hurdle has replaced only one coach based on performance -- hitting instructor Duane Espy after the 2006 season. Apodaca has known Hurdle for nearly 30 years and has coached for him at both the minor and major league levels. Hurdle is loyal to him. Apodaca, in my opinion, has grown into the job, communicating better by communicating less. He's the same coach that led the Rockies to their lowest ERA ever last season.
Let's also take a look at what Apodaca's done each season since he started his job with the Rockies:
- 2003: 5.51 R/G (worst in the NL), 5.20 ERA (worst in the NL), 95 ERA+ (7th worst in the NL)
- 2004: 5.70 R/G (worst in the NL), 5.54 ERA (worst in the NL), 89 ERA+ (2nd worst in the NL)
- 2005: 5.32 R/G (2nd worst in the NL), 5.13 ERA (2nd worst in the NL), 93 ERA+ (tied for 3rd worst in the NL)
- 2006: 5.01 R/G (tied for 4th worst in the NL), 4.66 ERA (4th worst in the NL), 105 ERA+ (tied for 3rd best in the NL)
- 2007: 4.65 R/G (8th best in the NL), 4.32 ERA (8th best in the NL), 111 ERA+ (3rd best in the NL)
- 2008 (through 126 games): 5.19 R/G (2nd worst in the NL), 4.88 ERA (2nd worst in the NL), 95 ERA+ (6th worst in the NL)
So, yeah, he is the coach who led the Rockies to their lowest ERA ever in a season, but he's also consistently led a pitching staff that ranked at the bottom of the league. Not that we didn't already know that. Apparently Hurdle's loyalty blinds him to what's actually going on.
On Tuesday, Rockies take on the Dodgers.
Subscribe
Feed
Comments
More from Colorado Rockies Examiner
Managing the lineup
Topics: Clint Hurdle , Troy Tulowitzki
Rockies fail to win series at home
Topics: Willy Taveras , Chris Iannetta , home follies
Rockies send three to the Olympics
Topics: 2008 Olympics , Beijing , Olympic baseball
Jeff Francis returns (with momentum?)
Topics: Jeff Francis , Troy Tulowitzki , Jorge De La Rosa
Rockies enjoy rare success on recent road trip
Topics: Aaron Cook , road follies , road record , road trips
Goose Gossage, the Rockies, and the Hall of Fame
Topics: Hall of Fame , Todd Helton , Larry Walker
Mystery starter ready to go for the Rockies
Topics: Valerio De Los Santos
Rockies sweep the Pirates
Topics: Clint Hurdle , Troy Tulowitzki , playoff tickets
Who would you want in return for Matt Holliday?
Topics: prospects , Matt Holliday , Chris Iannetta , trade deadline
