Making The Case: Jim Tracy NL Manager Of The Year

I realize that the Rockies were just ousted from the playoffs in one of the most miraculous comebacks we will probably see during the 2009 MLB playoffs.

With that out of the way, you cannot ignore the way Jim Tracy managed the Rockies into the playoffs where just five months ago no one, not even Rockies fans, expected the club to be.

The 2009 Jim Tracy story begins on May 29th when Tracy took over as skipper following the dismissal of Clint Hurdle, at that point the Rockies were 10 games below .500 and 14.5 games behind the Dodgers for the NL West Crown.

From the moment Tracy took over, it was evident to anyone paying attention that he was bringing consistency to a frazzled and disheveled group of talented ball players.

Just six games in to the Jim Tracy era the Rockies started a club tying and MLB leading 11 game win streak followed by a six consecutive win encore. 

By the All-Star break people were starting to pay attention to the baseball happenings in the mile-high city, including having the leagues first ten game winner in Jason Marquis. 

Going into August, the Rockies were ten games over .500 and had the Dodgers in their sights for the NL West. 

Tracy had not only the team believing but the town as well, people on the street were talking about the Rockies and the stands were filling up headed down the stretch. At this point, it was obvious that Tracy had the Rockies focused and not willing to let down as the Wild Card and NL West race was in full swing.

As September started, the Rockies were 14 games above .500, 5.5 games behind the Dodgers, and one game up on the San Francisco Giants for the Wild Card—a lead the Rockies would never relinquish.

The following four or so weeks of the season proved to be the second most exciting stretch of baseball in franchise history (second only to the 2007 run). 

However, there was a distinct difference between the 2009 campaign and the 2007 run.  Under Tracy the 2009 version proved to be steady and patient as opposed to white knuckled and chaotic not to say there weren’t any tense moments but strategy was far more obvious.

The Rockies would carry the same hard working self-less style of play into the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies and would come up short to the defending World Champions.

While the story didn't end the way Tracy and the rest of Rockies Nation had envisioned the skipper’s performance deserves proper respect and reward.

All of you folks in the Costal markets probably won't give Tracy the respect he deserves, but let's compare him to the other candidates for NL Manager of the year.

Of course there is Joe Torre who is going to be the front runner. Let's face it, Torre and the Dodgers did exactly what they were supposed to do which was win NL West which with the exception of the Rockies may have been one of the worst divisions in all of baseball.

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel will also get a sniff, again though the Phillies did what they were supposed to do and defend their title.

Before you go to cast your vote do Tracy and Rockies Nation a favor, realize that at one point early in the season the Rockies were an after-thought and ask Rick Reilly how highly he thought of this organization on opening day and how the gold dome on the state capital tastes. 

For the first time in franchise history the Rockies had five 10 game winners for an organization that has been seen as a graveyard for pitchers, the one variable was Jim Tracy.

Tracy has brought a no excuses, expect to win attitude to town it showed down the stretch and it will be evident as the Rockies go through this offseason and into spring training.

No Manager in baseball deserves this honor more than Jim Tracy, you can expect more of the same for a few years to come as the Rockies will look to be back in the mix again for the 2010 season.

When voting comences in a couple of weeks go to www.mlb.com and vote for Jim Tracy!!