Rather than going with the dreaded "vote of confidence" for the manager and general manager of the ball club, Rockies ownership indicated their optimism for the future of the organization on Opening Day by
extending both manager Clint Hurdle and GM Dan O'Dowd for two more years, through 2009.
"We made a commitment to our organization and everyone in it a long time ago," Rockies president Keli McGregor said. "I met with ownership at the end of spring training and we believe this is the right decision at the right time."
When you look at the Rockies' winning percentage with each of them in charge -- .452 in seven season under O'Dowd and .447 in just under five seasons under Hurdle (pictured) -- you're initially quite underwhelmed. But things are different in Denver; they're building through the farm system with guys like Troy Tulowitzki, Garrett Atkins, Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe, Chris Ianetta, Aaron Cook, and Jeff Francis amongst others. It's this type of architecture that gives the fans and organization a reason to believe things will improve.
