Leadership Is Not Overstated

It matters.  That's why the Rockies are lucky to have a couple guys like Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Giambi on their roster.

They are clearly the two loudest voices, aside from Jim Tracy's, in the Rockies clubhouse. If you don't believe that, just read the quotes they offered MLB Fanhouse's Jeff Fletcher (Rockies Feeling Sense of Urgency).

Lord knows I love Todd Helton (I think naming my blog after him might have given that away), but he's not a strong voice. He's more of a lead by onfield example type of guy, which I admire and respect just as much as anything, but that only goes so far when no one else on the team is capable of playing on your level.

That was the case for the Rockies throughout Helton's prime years. I'm not saying Todd's lack of vocal leadership is why the Rockies sucked all those seasons, I'm just saying it's nice to have guys that are willing to speak up to get a message across.

This Rockies team qualified as one that needed a message delivered to them.

Some might think Giambi has no room to talk because his offense and defense haven't up to par this season. To me, I can't think of a better guy to offer his thoughts and encouragement. He's been there. He's won before, and he's played with winners. He can offer so much to this team without even leaving the clubhouse.

That's why he's valuable. And once he starts clicking with the bat, he'll have value there, too.

Do I want to see him with glove on very often? That's still a no. But if it's like yesterday where it's three ABs and six innings of defense, I could live with that every 4-5 days.

As for Tulowitzki.  It's his team.  He has to be the guy that speaks honestly and with conviction.  Leading up to this season I don't think he was mature enough to handle that assignment, but I believe he is now.  Just reading his words and watching the way he played yesterday... yeah, I'm more than convinced.

Jim Tracy gets his credit, too, for knowing when to push certain buttons off the field and in the clubhouse.  In my eyes, he's an average in game manager, but an expert team leader.  I don't know if that helps the Rockies come close to a World Championship or not, but I'm very confident he'll never let this team bottom out confidence wise or in the standings.

I'll take that over anything we've gotten from past Rockies managers.