Colorado Rockies Sunday Sit Down with Marc Stout
Our Sunday Sit Down series returns this season. Throughout the season, Rox Pile will interview someone from within the Colorado Rockies world. Whether that be from inside the organization, Rockies media, Rockies Twitter or someone special in the Rockies community. Look for these pieces on Sundays!
The first Sit Down this season is former jack of all trades for Root Sports and AT&T SportsNet, Marc Stout. Marc did it all when it came to Rockies broadcasts … pre- and post-game shows, in-game analysis, post-game interviews and human interest pieces that ran with Rockies Weekly.
The 2017 season was Marc’s last year covering the team. He has since moved on hosting his own Denver-based radio show. I caught up with Marc at Blow It Up, a Denver area batting cage. We dialed up the pro hitter machine to 90 MPH and, let’s just say, sometimes you swing and don’t miss.
After a few gap shots and many weak grounders later, we ventured to a near by pub to chat about his time with the Rockies and a few of his favorite memories along the way.
JP: From the time Troy Tulowitzki was traded until now, the Monforts seem to have taken a big step back as far as being hands on is concerned. What has been the biggest difference been? Has it been the Monforts directly or Jeff Bridich as the GM/voice of the franchise type roll?
Colorado Rockies
Stout: Dick Monfort is definetely still around, visible and involved. I used to get so disappointed when people would say he doesn’t care about winning. I was around him a lot. He wants to win. He’s a businessman. When Jeff came in, I think they gave him more control of all the baseball aspects.
However, I think the biggest difference has been Bud Black. There was a time when Walt Weiss was here that I wondered if he was enjoying himself. I don’t know if you knew this (incoming Stoutistic) but Walt only had one losing season in his entire big league career (the 1993 expansion Florida Marlins). Walt played on those Braves teams that went on that successful run. He wasn’t accustomed to losing, and a lot of losing at that. I think that wore on him and reflected on the team.
I don’t like the phrase “changed the culture” but when Jeff came in, it had a different feel to it. I can’t put a word on it other than they figured out how to win.
JP: Does a lot of that have to do with Jeff coming in, being that voice and trading Tulo? Opinion is that Tulo wasn’t thought of highly in the locker room. Or was stand off-ish, maybe even a cancer if you will. Not that he didn’t want to win but maybe he wanted to win so badly he put too many expectations and too much pressure on the younger guys.
Stout: I’ll agree with that. Tulo had baseball tunnel vision, which isn’t a negative thing.
JP: Wanted to succeed to a fault?
Stout: Yeah, pretty much. If you’re looking at that being a turning point, it probably was. It probably sent a ripple effect through the organization. If this can happen, anything can, including winning. Which is crazy because last year they won 12 more games than they did in 2016. They essentially won one more game a week in 2017 than 2016. That’s all they needed to do. We talk about how big it is to win series and they did that last year.
Were you at Wrigley when Tulo was traded?
Nope, but i can tell you where I was. I was at the Mountain West football media conference. It was Spilly’s (Ryan Spilborghs) first reporting day, but being new and not knowing the logistics it was tough. So it was deemed after that I would always stay with the team during the trade deadline.
Your last year they make the playoffs, bittersweet?
I feel I went out on high note. Ryan Hanigan and I poured Coors Lights on each other’s heads as we were singing “They don’t write em like that anymore”, The Break Up Song by the Greg Kihn Band.
In the September edition of the Rockies Magazine, they did a feature on Hanigan. One was question was, “What is your go to karaoke song?” It was The Break Up Song. A big hit in the early 80’s so it was right up my alley. I go up to Hanny and I tell him, when you guys clinch we’re doing this on the air. So Hanny says to me in this heavy Boston accent “I might have to bomb a few beers first.” After the game, it was a maylay, people everywhere. I walked out of the clubhouse into the hallway and I find him. “Dude you have to do this with me.” Danny says, “No no. I’m going to do it at a club later.” In my mind I’m thinking this is the last thing I want to do on TV. He agrees as long as we pour beers over each others heads.
JP: Near the end of the season, it was announced you weren’t coming back…
Stout: We did a thing on air where we told everyone. I didn’t want this to be about anything more than me changing my career path. I don’t want anything to interfere with the broadcast or a team that’s in the middle of a race. So we did it during a day game a few weeks before the race heated up. I had to make the decision to change careers because I was going on the radio to cover the Broncos and the season was starting.
JP: I know it wont be the same without you. For all of those who left Root/AT&T SportsNet, Charissa Thompson, Alanna Rizzo, you will most certainly be missed. Next year, we’re going to be thinking, “Where are our Stoutistics?”
Stout: It was fun. It’s a grind. The weird thing at the end is we don’t cover the playoffs, so we didn’t go down to Arizona for the Wild Card game. MLB has all these weird rules. You can’t go on air until 45 minutes after the game. So, from a money standpoint, it didn’t make sense to travel down there.
JP: You’ve done everything in Denver sports from calling Rapids games, DU Hockey games, University of Wyoming Basketball games, Avalanche Hockey games and traveled with the Broncos for two Super Bowls. What is your favorite sports memory?
Stout: I had an unbelivable interview with Jamie Moyer when he became the oldest winning pitcher in the history of the game against the San Diego Padres. Jim Tracy was the manager at the time and was up at the podium. He makes it quick and says, “I’ll let you guys get to Jamie.” The Rockies former PR manager motions to me and says, “MLB’s cameras won’t work. We need you to interview Jamie on your cameras from the dugout.” I’ll never forget I walked through the clubhouse and all the players are waiting for Moyer.
The thing about Moyer and I is we are one month apart in age. He’s from Philly and I’m from Jersey, so we have this East Coast thing together. I do this interview and ask minimal questions. Like what does this game mean to you and he basically breaks down. It was an emotional moment. He’s really smart and all his answers are almost profound.
Jamie goes to the press room and I go to the clubhouse. I have run of the mill of player to interview.
yells to me, “I want to talk about old school!”
wants to chime in. Everyone wants to discuss Moyer. It was cool because you normally don’t get to pick like that. So that moment and the Hanigan thing.
You’re a self proclaimed rocker, so what would be your walk up song?
Def Leppard, “Do you want to get rocked” (Marc breaks out in song). They play at Coors this year and I won’t be working games this summer so I get to go! (Marc is a die hard Def Leppard fan).
One last Stoutistic?
Ichiro has never stole home. He’s attempted and been caught three times.
6/15/02 @ SD Bobby Jones and Wiki Gonzalez– John Olerud hitting
5/2/05 @ SEA Jarrod Washburn and Jose Molina– Richie Sexson was hitting, struck out looking
4/30/10 @ SEA Frank Francisco and Matt Treanor– Eric Brynes was hitting
By the way, Todd Helton is 2-for-4 stealing home.
Next: How the Rockies can win the NL West
Thanks for the memories Marc. Sometimes you swing and don’t miss.
You can find Marc on The Orange and Blue 760 AM. He co-hosts with former Bronco Ray Crockett on the Crockett and Stout show.