“Jim Tracy Way” will be dedicated today in Hamilton, Ohio. It’s a park road honoring the Rockies’ manager as one of Hamilton’s favorite sons.
The resolution praises Tracy for bringing “positive notoriety and acclaim” to his hometown.
Back here at the foot of the Rockies, Tracy deserves praise for bringing stability and a soothing atmosphere during what could easily have turned into a disastrous season for the local nine.
Behind his Gary Cooper, aw-shucks image, Tracy is an intensely competitive man. Yet he rarely lets his players see him sweat. His calming presence is one of the reasons the Rockies have climbed to 10 games over .500.
Tracy is as analytical as any manager in baseball, including the Cardinals’ Tony LaRussa. But Tracy is easier to like. LaRussa is as prickly as cactus; Tracy is as huggable as a teddy bear. Over the course of a 162-game season, Tracy wears well with his players.
Tracy was honored last season as the National League manager of the year for leading the Rockies from the scrapheap to a franchise-record 92 victories and a trip to the playoffs. But he’s done an even better job this season with a team crippled by injuries. Here’s why:
Beginning Friday night in Cincinnati, the Rockies face a tough road trip that ends in Philadelphia. It’s a crucial stretch, but I think Tracy has the Rockies primed for another second-half run.
Trivia time
Tracy played in 87 major league games. Name the team he played for. (Answer below).
Polling
Wednesday’s “Lunch Special” poll asked readers to pick the high-profile sports owner they most loved to hate. The runaway winner was the Raiders’ Al Davis, who garnered more than 62 percent of the vote.
Quotable
Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, , on the status of his ailing ankle: “I had hoped it would have been a little bit better at this point. When you wake up in the morning and your feet hurt it kind of makes the rest of your body hurt. And If you’ve been sacked 700 times that usually adds to it.”
In case you missed it
Leave it to Steve Carell and Paul Rudd to turn gross excess into hilarity. The comedic duo were a riot during the ESPYs, spoofing LeBron James’ infamous one-hour special, “The Decision.” I won’t give it away, but if you haven’t seen the spoof yet,
This day in sports
The irascible Ty Cobb hit two inside-the-park home runs on July 15, 1909. Not that is was that big a deal to the “Georgia Peach.” He hit nine of them for the Tigers that season and finished his career with 46, the most in American League history.
Trivia answer
Tracy played for the Chicago Cubs in 1980-81 as an outfielder/first baseman. Tracy hit .249 in 87 at-bats, with five doubles, four triples and three home runs.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1720 or psaunders@denverpost.com
