Philadelphia — Add another heartfelt chapter to the Rockies’ storybook season.
Manager Clint Hurdle revealed today that the players, of their own accord, voted a playoff share to Amanda Coolbaugh, the widow of Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh.
Coolbaugh, the Drillers’ first-base coach, was killed when a line drive struck him in the head during a game earlier this summer. Tulsa is the Rockies’ Double-A farm team.
Hurdle said the players’ gesture says a lot about their character.
“I was passed on the information that they voted Amanda Coolbaugh a share — a full share — which I found speaks to their awareness, speaks to their passion, speaks to every good thing about them,” Hurdle said.
Amanda Coolbaugh, 32, is pregnant and won’t attend Saturday’s Phillies-Rockies playoff game at Coors Field. But her two sons, Joseph, 5, and Jacob, 3, will be there. In fact, they will throw out the first pitch.
“When I heard about what the players did, I almost cried,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “This was the players’ idea. I think it’s remarkable.”
If the team goes on to win the world series, the share could be as much as $362,000.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
