By hiring Don Baylor as hitting coach, the Rockies hope to improve their future by reaching into their past. Baylor, 59, was the Rockies' first manager, holding that job from 1993 through 1998.
It was Baylor who promoted Rockies manager Clint Hurdle to the big leagues as a coach when he added Hurdle to his staff as the hitting coach in 1997. Baylor, who also managed the Cubs from 2000-02, had been out of uniform for three seasons since serving as Seattle's hitting coach in 2005. Baylor was also a coach with the Mets in 2003 and 2004, the Braves (1999), Cardinals (1992) and Brewers (1990 and 1991).
Baylor led the Rockies to their first postseason appearance -- they have had two in 16 years -- as the National League wild card in 1995, their third year of existence, and was named NL Manager of the Year that season. Baylor was fired after the 1998 season and began something of a vagabond coaching existence before coming back to the Rockies.
"It will be different coming back as a coach," Baylor said, "but with the relationship we have, I know I can tell Clint things and not worry about repercussions. Clint knows I am coming back to be his coach and help him be successful.
"The last three years, I was looking for a situation that fit, but nothing fits like this one."
