Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Voters Validate KTH


Let it be said that Clint Hurdle didn't deserve to win NL Manager of the Year. Many will insist he should've won the honor and if you condense an entire season into the last two weeks of the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs, I would agree. However, no matter how easy it is to lose site of the first five months of mediocrity that preceded the amazing final stretch, I must take umbrage with the Hurdle is God contingency.


The Rockies' improbable September run wouldn't have been necessary if not for the many games throughout the season where Hurdle seemed to have received a dugout lobotomy. Minimizing the damage of the early season LaTroy Hawkins struggles could've won a few extra games. Ditto for Fuentes' midseason roadtrip nosedive. I haven't even mentioned Jorge Julio's role in trying to destroy the season in August and September with Hurdle playing the role of enabler. I realize he was just "going by the book", but that's the point. A chimp probably could've done a similar job if given basic knowledge of "the book". Throughout the season he didn't ever seem to make a brilliant move based on instinct. As many of Hurdle's late season and playoff moves turned to pure gold, a far greater amount of decisions earlier in the season turned into feces.

So, yes, no gold gloves for the team is complete rubbish. Tulo probably should've received ROY. Holliday would be a deserving MVP (but won't get it). But, does Hurdle deserve NL Manager of the Year? Nope.......3rd place in the voting sounds more than fair to a consistent observer of the team's season, with an actual bias for his team.....(by the way, his daughter ain't bad looking)

16 comments:

Chain Lightning said...

Absolutely loved the "Role of enabler" card being played.

I don't know about the daughter TD, the one on the knee looks like jail bait.

TroutDog said...

As a follow-up, gotta give props to Hurdle after reading his reaction to not getting the award. I like how he gave all of the praise to the players for the success and basically said he was honored to be voted 3rd. I agree with that 100%. Class move. Also talked about unfinished business of getting a ring. I like what I'm hearing. No more satisifaction with .500 ball!

As Wes Mantooth would (kind of) say,lets leave the daughters out of this.

Young Bear said...

The one on his knee is the extremely ill one who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease of some kind. Agreed with Wes.

So it was not the players (ie rookies, GGloves, Holliday) but it wasn't the manager either.....

Young Bear said...

CL, when do you grace the 303 with your family's presence? Can't wait to meet the new addition!

We all need to talk about Friday's Nugs game....

TroutDog said...

I think Dinger must be up for Mascot of the Year. Or maybe it was just the 10th Man.

TroutDog said...

YB - Where are the Nuggs'posts? They're starting to play a little...

Are the Avs on Winter break or something?

Chain Lightning said...

We get in on Wednesday night and leave Sunday afternoon. Andrew can hardly wait to get his eat and sleep on in the 303. He'll be dishing his no numbered Packers jersey on Turkey Day...obvi.

NikB said...

Definitely a good reaction on Hurdle's part... not to mention all of the riced games via Assfeldt.

Is there a 3rd base coach of the year?

C'Mon Super-Gallego!!!

Sonic Tooth said...

let's all take some umbrage.

ok, now that i'm plenty wasted...a beaut of a post. i may like Hurdle a bit more than I did during years of mediocrity but he certainly was not a deserving Manager of the Year.

now for that unfinished business...

What IS up with Friday?
see ya on Turkey day CL.

Sonic Tooth said...

oh. forgot to mention...TD you must still listen to Hurdle's baseball card mandate.

TroutDog said...

I actually thought about scanning the card in for the post, but was running short on time. The family shot seemed to be pretty excellent. You partying?

Sonic Tooth said...

partying on major umbrage. (and wine)
and the family shot is amazing. save the baseball card scan for some inevitable gaffe next season. you know they'll come.

NikB said...

It might also be good to have a 'no-pasno' post.

Sonic Tooth said...

huh? pasno? bahiagrass?

TroutDog said...

I believe that's a nodinger reference.

NikB said...

no panso, you're not the only one partying.