Clint Hurdle was fired by the Colorado Rockies on Friday and replaced by bench coach Jim Tracy.  This was one of the most obvious example of "what have you done for me lately" and the manager being used as the scapegoat in recent memory. 

Two seasons ago the Rockies were the talk of the baseball world following a fantastic run to the World Series.  A year-and-a-half later the Rox sit 13.5 games behind the Dodgers in the division, with absolutely zero hope of making it back to the playoffs in 2009. 

The issue that I have is that the Dodgers are obviously going the win the NL West, so what difference does it make who is managing the team through to long summer of losing.  It's not like Hurdle is unpopular with the players or the management.  In fact, GM Dan O'Dowd likes Hurdle so much that he is fully prepared to offer him a front office position with the club.

Blame who you want for the dismal performance of the Rockies.  Blame the players, blame the coaches, blame the fans, damn...blame the broadcasters if you want.  The simple fact is the general manager Jim O'Dowd is to blame for the fall from grace.  The Rox have lost most of their key performers from their 2007 run to The Series and they simple have not filled in the gaps...or I should say that O'Dowd hasn't filled in the gaps.

Matt Holliday is gone, Troy Tulowitzki sucks, Kaz Matsui is gone, Willy Taveras is gone, Torrealba is on the bench, Helton is two years older, Jeff Francis and Taylor Buchholz are hurt long-term, Fogg is washed up, Herges is gone, Hawkins is gone, Fuentes is gone, Affeldt is gone.

These are all major holes that were not addressed by management as the club tried to fill these chasms with crack-filler from their minor league system.  This plan has failed miserabily and Mr. O'Dowd should be held accountable.  If a franchise is going to try to re-build from within...fine...but don't fire a popular, succesful manager along the way because the team isn't winning games.  Losing is all a part of the re-building process.

If you're feeling tempted, and you think Jim Tracy can plug the holes in this sinking ship...you can get the Colorado Rockies as high as +10000 to win the NL West and they are favorites at home at -130 tonight vs. San Diego.

Best of luck Rox...you'll need it.