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It’s nice to be recognized for your work by the people who watch what you do, but it’s even better when your peers and colleagues call you the best. Just ask the Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez, who was honored Wednesday with the player’s choice award in the National League. Then yesterday, he was given the Luis Aparicio Award for the best major-league season by a Venezuelan player. And later today, he’s expected to claim the MLB’s most outstanding player award, notes The Denver Post.
“Carlos Gonzalez is one of the few guys I would pay to watch,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki told the Post earlier this week. “He’s the best player I have ever played with.”
Meanwhile, a couple former Colorado Rockies managers and coaches are moving on with other teams. Don Baylor, the Rockies’ first manager (1993-98) and last year’s hitting coach, was released earlier this offseason by manager Jim Tracy. He’s staying within the division, however, landing with the Arizona Diamondbacks as that teams’ hitting coach (via KTAR radio in Phoenix).
And Clint Hurdle, the Rockies’ manager from 2002 to 2009, is also on the verge of a new job. He is currently the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, down 2-0 in the World Series to the San Francisco Giants. But rumors are flying that Hurdle will get another chance at managing a team. Reports have him possibly heading up the Pittsburgh Pirates (Yahoo! Sports) or the New York Mets (ESPN).