But a weak and injury-riddled bullpen simply couldn't keep the Rockies in the race, and the club finished 75-87 -- its sixth straight sub-.500 season. There was a lot to like, but one thing was missing.
Fourth-year manager Walt Weiss had embraced the information age and used defensive shifts and modern, data-based strategies. But he and general manager Jeff Bridich, who took over in October 2014, never bonded. At season's end, Weiss announced he was not coming back, and Bridich agreed that a parting was necessary.
However, that situation didn't dim future hopes. The Rockies hired Bud Black as the first manager in club history with a pitching background.