Walt Weiss named new Colorado Rockies manager

• Ex-Rockies player Walt Weiss has been hired by Colorado to replace Jim Tracy as manager
• Weiss comes to the Rockies after coaching a Colorado high school team
• The Rockies said they chose him for his familiarity to the organization and its teams

The Colorado Rockies turned to the high-school ranks Wednesday night to hire Walt Weiss as their sixth manager in franchise history.

Weiss, 48, a 14-year veteran whose only coaching experience was at Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, was selected over Matt Williams, Jason Giambi and Tom Runnells.

The Rockies announced the move after owner Dick Monfort and executives Dan O'Dowd and Bill Geivett huddled late Wednesday night.

Weiss replaces Jim Tracy, who resigned Oct. 7 after the Rockies finished last in the NL West. Weiss played shortstop for the Rockies from 1994-97 and was a special assistant to O'Dowd in 2002-08.

Weiss is the third manager in the last year to be hired without managerial experience, joining Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox and Mike Matheny of the St. Louis Cardinals.

"He would take trips in the minor leagues. He was always around with the major league club at home, as well," Geivett said. "I know Walt pretty well."

The 1988 AL Rookie of the Year with Oakland, Weiss also played for Florida and Atlanta. A .258 career hitter, he was an All-Star in the 1998 game at Denver's Coors Field.

Weiss left the Rockies to spend more time with his family and last season coached Regis Jesuit, in Aurora, to a 20-6 record and the 5A semifinals of the state championship. Weiss' son Brody is in his senior year at the school.

Contributing: The Associated Press