Will Jim Tracy Manage Rockies Forever And Ever?

By Rob Neyer - National Baseball Editor

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Feb 21, 2012 - Jim Tracy's been managing the Colorado Rockies for nearly three seasons.

In his first season, the Rockies finished in a huge rush -- .638 winning percentage in Tracy's 116 games -- and reached the postseason.

In his second season, the Rockies won 51 percent of their games.

In his third season, the Rockies won 45 percent of their games.

This is not an encouraging trend line, but apparently Tracy's in little danger of losing his job any time soon. From the Associated Press:

Rockies manager Jim Tracy could become a Colorado lifer. He would love that, and general manager Dan O'Dowd would love that, too.

Tracy has received what O'Dowd called an ''indefinite'' contract extension. The new deal at the very least adds the 2013 season and then what both parties hope are many more years beyond that.

''Quite honestly it could be for whatever number of years Jim wants it to be for,'' O'Dowd said in making the unique announcement Monday ...

--snip--

''An extension beyond this year,'' O'Dowd said. ''It's a different world we're living in. I know it's a world where there's got to be a number and there's got to be a term ... and we'll talk every year and we'll continue to move forward that way, but to me the appropriate term is indefinite.''

l'm not sure what any of this means, except that Dan O'Dowd really really really likes Jim Tracy and came up with a unique way of publicly expressing his affections.

Okay. We get it. But my guess is that if Jim wants it to be for 20 years, O'Dowd would have to refuse. My guess is that if the Rockies lose 100 games in two straight seasons, O'Dowd might have to fire Jim. It would hurt. But nobody lives forever. Everything's indefinite.

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