“I liked picking his brain and seeing what his days in the bigs were like,” Peterson said. “One story he told me was when he was with the A’s and he was in a World Series game. He walked out on the field and just looked up at the whole crowd, in shock. It’s what we all dream of and hearing what it’s like was incredible.”
Leathers has known Weiss for quite some time, having grown up with Weiss‘ son, Brody, who’s in his senior year at the school. It was on the advice of Weiss that Leathers switched from third base to catcher.
“It’s opened so many doors for me,” said Leathers, who’s now being recruited by colleges. “What he can see in you and how you play the game, it’s unbelievable.”
The Rockies are hoping Weiss can have that kind of impact on Rockies players not all that much older than his high school team. The Rockies boast a young nucleus, featuring youthful players such as 23-year-old infielder Josh Rutledge and 24-year-old righty Jhoulys Chacin.
Weiss‘ ability to relate to his players may be one of his biggest attributes.
“The game is the same from when you’re 10 to 25,” said junior pitcher and first baseman Reagan Todd, who’s already committed to Arizona State. “Baseball is baseball. He will be able to teach.
“He’s very patient and calm. But when comes to game time, he’s intense.”
Asked for any good Weiss stories, junior outfielder Brooks Urich just laughed. He will never forget Weiss taking infield with the team during practice.
“Not to say he’s old or anything, but he was just so smooth and threw the ball around the infield like he was playing in the majors the day before,” Urich said. “Just amazing.”
Weiss and Arizona Diamondbacks coach Matt Williams were the finalists to replace manager Jim Tracy, who resigned Oct. 7 with one year and $1.4 million left on his contract. Rockies bench coach Tom Runnells and first baseman Jason Giambi also received interviews.
“It’s a great hire,” Urich said of Weiss. “Everyone has respect for coach Weiss. There’s never a bad word said about him.”
As for receiving any special perks at the ballpark now that his former coach is leading the Rockies, Leathers said that’s hardly necessary.
“Just having him on my resume, being my coach, that’s plenty,” Leathers said.
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Pat Graham can be reached at: http://www.twitter.com/pgraham34
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