Colorado Rockies Manager Search: What About Eric Young Sr.?

Could the next manager of the Colorado Rockies not only be a former player but also a current coach in LoDo?

There have been a lot of names mentioned as potential new managers for the Rockies after the team and Walt Weiss parted ways on Monday morning. We detailed a few of those here. However, one name not mentioned in the article was current first base coach Eric Young Sr.

In his third season as the first base coach for the Rockies, Young has certainly spent plenty of time with the organization. He played with Colorado in 1993-97 and had tremendous success during his days on the field in Denver.

In 613 games across five seasons as a member of the Rockies, Young hit .295 (626-for-2,120), with 378 runs, 102 doubles, 28 triples, 30 home runs, 227 RBI and 180 stolen bases. Those 180 stolen bases are still the most in Rockies franchise history and his 465 total stolen bases are among the Top 50 in MLB history. Young stole at least 40 bases in six separate seasons (1993, 1996-2000).

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Young’s 1996 season was one for the record books. He was an All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner that season when he set career highs in batting average (.324), RBI (74), runs (113) and hits (184).

Of course, that was then and this is now. Young is not only the team’s first base coach, but also oversees the club’s outfield and baserunning instruction. He has been instrumental in the evolution of Charlie Blackmon into the all-around player he has become at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. Responsible for the outfield, he’s also worked extensively with Colorado’s bevy of talented outfielders, including Blackmon, David Dahl and Carlos Gonzalez.

Additionally, he has the “Colorado culture” as both a player and coach.

“We will look at multiple avenues and there will be both internal and external interviews that we will want to have,” Bridich said Monday in a teleconference with Rockies media members.

Colorado’s Triple-A manager, Glenallen Hill, has been named as one of the coaches from within the organization who will get an interview. Young should be in that mix as well. Don’t be surprised if Young gathers more consideration for the top job as the days go along.

Next: Could Walt Weiss Head to the Diamondbacks?

Young and Weiss share a history already as the duo recorded the first steals in Coors Field history on a double steal against the New York Mets on April 27, 1995. Could the duo also say they both served as manager of the Colorado Rockies? It’s possible.