DENVER (AP) -Despite being frustrated with another slow start, Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort threw his support behind manager Clint Hurdle on Tuesday.
“We’re all in this. We’re working together,” Monfort told The Associated Press before the Rockies hosted the Houston Astros. “Clint’s doing everything he can. We’re all frustrated, but we’re going to get through this together.”
Monfort spent some time before the game chatting with Hurdle, as well as various players and coaches, while the team went through batting practice. Although the team is off to a 12-18 beginning, Monfort gave Hurdle what amounted to a vote of confidence.
Hurdle is in the final year of his contract.
“Clint’s doing his job,” Monfort said. “Are there things he can do better? Sure. Are there things I can do better? Yeah. Are there things the players can do better? Yeah. But it’s all a work in progress.”
the World Series. The town was transformed as Rocktober swept through the Mile High City.
However, the team sputtered in 2008 and has gotten off to a rocky start this season, leading to speculation about Hurdle’s future.
“At this point and time, it’s a nonevent,” Monfort said.
The Denver Post reported on its Web site Tuesday morning that Monfort said there have been no discussions about replacing Hurdle.
“To say he would be (fired after this homestand) would be inaccurate,” Monfort told the paper. “If you make the change, what is going to be better? And we are not going to make change for change’s sake.”
Troy Tulowitzki thinks Monfort’s backing of Hurdle carries a lot of clout.
“Anytime you get a little confidence booster from your boss, it can go a long way,” the smooth-fielding shortstop said. “It’s the same way Hurdle is with the players sometimes. If you get your manager behind you, even if you’re struggling it’s like, ‘Hey, OK, he still believes in me.’ It’s nice to hear sometimes.”
Tulowitzki has gotten to the point where he tunes out the speculation surrounding his skipper – or tries to anyway.
try to stay away from that stuff and just focus on the game.”
Tulowitzki said the clubhouse fully supports Hurdle.
“He’s still our manager. We’re going to listen to him, do what he says,” Tulowitzki said. “There’s been a lot of talk about his job. He’s done nothing but good things for me, always believed in me. I’m behind him. I’m going to go out there and play hard for him every night.”
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