The Colorado Rockies are attempting to make the postseason for the first time since the 2009 season, and while talent is always a key component for success, in this case, it’ll be veteran leadership that decides the Rockies’ fate.
“It’s valuable,” manager Walt Weiss said about the team’s veterans. “Not a lot of guys, especially around here, have had that experience of playing in the postseason, and winning.”
The Rockies do not have a ton of championship vets, with Daniel Descalso and Jason Motte being the only two players on the roster having won a ring, but nevertheless, the two champs they have are quality.
“You have to have the right type of guy, too,” Weiss said in reference to what kind of veteran leader a team needs. “Danny certainly is (the right kind of guy). He’s been a leader ever since he showed up, just because of the resume and the way he conducts himself. He’s been a valuable piece for us.”
While they only have two World Series winners on roster, they have a plethora of other guys that have been involved in chases, such as Boone Logan, Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez to name a few.
That will prove to be important as the margin for error narrows to the thinnest of gaps in the Fall months.
“It helps. You can draw from your teammate’s experiences,” Weiss said. “It helps looking around the room and knowing guys have been there before. I think that adds to the confidence … You don’t think it’s real valuable until you have it, and you understand the importance of it. We don’t have a ton of those guys, but we have them sprinkled around the clubhouse.”
The Rockies currently sit three games back in the Wild Card standings, and are in the midst of arguably the toughest part of their schedule, with five playoff-caliber teams standing in their way before August concludes.
Team leadership will be critical as the Rox try to snag a seat in the postseason for the first time since 2009.
