The Colorado Rockies made owner / chairman and CEO Dick Monfort available to the media on Thursday.
That’s a rare treat, as Monfort doesn’t do many interviews these days.
The occasion was introducing new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, he of “Moneyball” fame who is tasked with turning the dumpster fire that is the Rockies around.
Monfort didn’t get many questions, but when asked about his role with DePodesta now in the mix, as well as Walker Monfort his son, Dick gave a revealing answer.
“I think they’re sort of pushing me out, doesn’t it feel that way? Much has been said about what I do and don’t do. I’m here to support Walker, I’m here to support Paul. I’m here to support everybody in this building,” Monfort said.
To be fair, Dick Monfort said that first part with a laugh. It’s clear he’s still running the Rockies, although both Walker Monfort and DePodesta now have plenty of power.
“We have to have the resources to make this all work and that sort of has always been part of my responsibilities. But I’m here to support people. I’m not as bad as anyone thinks I am. I do care, I think that’s where it sort of gets foggy. I care about winning, I care about our players,” Monfort said.
It’s an interesting answer from Monfort, as he definitely hears the noise he “doesn’t care.” Educated Rockies fans know that he does, he’s just not very good at hiring people or picking the right players.
But it does sound like a new era at Coors Field, with Dick Monfort just overseeing things but maybe not as involved in day-to-day operations.
“Really, it’s Paul’s job, it’s Walker’s job and I’m there to support them. And like I tell people I’m the overhead around here,” Monfort said.
Hopefully, that overheard leads to Dick Monfort taking a step back and letting Walker Monfort and DePodesta run the show. Coming off a 119-loss season, things can’t get much worse.
