A Rockies season that bloomed brightly, but oh so briefly, in April has become a war of attrition and a continuing saga of ugly losses.
Monday brought the news that star first baseman Justin Morneau and high-priced reliever Boone Logan were headed to the disabled list.
Then, in the sixth inning of Colorado’s series opener against the Washington Nationals, right fielder Carlos Gonzalez injured his wrist sliding into third base. CarGo returned to the game, but the Rockies held their breath when he went down.
Through it all, manager Walt Weiss has offered no excuses for his team’s dismal record. He’s never asked for pity.
“There is no doubt that I feel a sense of responsibility for the way things have gone,” he said before Monday’s game against Washington. “That’s how it works. I’m the manager of the club, so I have to look in the mirror on this one. I feel like I’m doing everything I can do, but it doesn’t mean I don’t go home and think about what I could be doing differently.”
In Weiss’ first season on the job, the Rockies went 74-88, a 10-win improvement over the 64-win debacle of 2012. But the Rockies are 40-59 this year, the worst record in the National League, after losing 7-2 to Washington. They are on pace to finish 66-96.
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In an interview with The Denver Post this month, Rockies owner Dick Monfort weighed in on Weiss, to whom he gave a three-year, $2 million contract during the offseason.
“I think he’s growing,” Monfort said. “I think he’s grown into the role. He had never managed anything except high school before he started with us. I love (the way he) battles. He’s a winner. That’s the type of guy that needs to be your manager. I wouldn’t say he’s growing any faster or any slower than I thought he would.”
Weiss continues to receive the backing of key players in the clubhouse, including all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado.
“I don’t think Walt has gotten a fair shot,” Arenado said. “He hasn’t been able to play with all his card … because of all our injuries. It’s hard to manage when everybody gets hurt. Injuries just keep on happening; it’s crazy.”
Still, injuries can’t be the sole reason for the recent slide that has seen the Rockies lose six straight and post a 6-24 record since June 15. Have some of the players quit?
“I don’t know if we have quit, but at the same time I don’t know if the energy is where it was early on,” Arenado said. “With all the injuries, all the things that have happened, and the way we have lost some games, it’s hard. It’s definitely been a little shocking, but we still have to play hard. That’s something that Tulo and I talk about all the time.”
Weiss does not believe he’s lost his team.
“I think I still have their respect,” he said. “If I felt I had lost the respect of the club, I would walk out right now. I feel pretty confident that I have their respect. When it comes to the point that they don’t hear my voice, that they don’t respond to my voice, then I wouldn’t want to be here.
“But I really enjoy the relationship I have with the players and I’m trying to help them get through this tough stuff. I want to give them my perspective, through my experiences.”
Tuesday will mark the 100-game point of the Rockies’ season. With what’s left of it, Weiss said it’s imperative the team begins to set a new course.
“I don’t get up and look at the standings every day,” he said. “Because of the way we have played, I have a pretty good understanding of where we are.
“To me, it’s more about playing well and winning games. That’s what I think about before every game. It’s important that we turn this thing around. We can’t afford to keep losing games like we have.”
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp
