Rockies hire Walt Weiss as manager

The Colorado Rockies have completed their search for a new manager, naming former All-Star shortstop Walt Weiss to the position Wednesday night, reports Thomas Harding of MLB.com:

The Rockies named one of the most popular players of their early days, Walt Weiss, as their new manager on Wednesday night…

Weiss becomes the sixth manager in the history of the Rockies, who will begin their 21st season in 2013.

The 48-year-old Weiss, who has no previous professional managerial or coaching experience, will be formally introduced by the Rockies in a news conference at Coors Field on Friday.

While Weiss is in unfamiliar territory in terms of managing, he is very familiar with the Rockies organization. Weiss spent four years in Colorado as their starting shortstop in the mid-90s, and then returned as a special advisor to the front office from 2002-2008.

Last week, the Rockies had narrowed their search down to four final candidates: bench coach Tom Runnells, veteran first baseman Jason Giambi, Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams, and Weiss. After a series of in-depth interviews with the Rockies’ top brass over the last week, Weiss became the clear favorite.

The Rockies are coming off their worst season in franchise history and will now look to Weiss to help turn the organization around.