Jeff Bridich on the dynamic that could make his clubhouse “something special”

Something that the tradition of the Olympics always seems to remind us is how much athleticism and youth go hand-in-hand. Many of us stare in awe as 15-year-olds accomplish things we know for sure we would hurt ourselves even attempting. Sometimes, just watching it makes me tired.

Of course, baseball has never been a game of pure athleticism. The cerebral nature of the game presents a unique dynamic whereby the more you improve on the finer nuances of the game, the less your body allows you to take full advantage of that wisdom.

That is why—despite in an age where buying any player’s jersey in hopes they will remain on that team forever can be a fool’s errand—the act of sharing said wisdom is so important.

When speaking to the media at the beginning of the 2018 spring training season, Colorado Rockies GM Jeff Bridich agreed that a few young, relatively unknown guys will play a pivotal role, but also notes that this must be backed up in every way by the veterans.

“I think it depends on the players, on the people involved,” Bridich said. “It sometimes depends on how much veterans are willing to invest in others and share. And I think it depends on the younger players to let their guard down and let peers help coach and teach. When those things are matched up well, it’s something to see. It’s fun.”

It’s fun when it works out. But let us not forget that these are some of the most competitive people on the planet, and there is limited space on the roster.

It’s more than a bit ironic that the players who would often benefit the most from picking the brains of more experienced guy are also the ones in line to take the more experienced player’s job somewhere down the line.

Should Chad Bettis devote a ton of time to helping Jeff Hoffman and Antonio Senzatela compete for his spot? What about Ian Desmond with David Dahl, Raimel Tapia, and Ryan McMahon?

There is a ton of incentive for the elders of the game to keep their tricks to themselves. But, Bridich says, for a team hoping to contend in a ridiculously stacked division—a team counting on these immensely talented youngsters to come through—they’ll need to remember how they got to where they are.

“A lot of it comes to the veterans paying it forward,” Bridich said. “Most veterans, someone early in their career got to them positively in some way. If you have a bunch of veterans who are conscious of that and willing to pay it forward, that is when your clubhouse becomes something special.”

If the Rockies can strike that balance and get the veterans to provide the value they were acquired for while simultaneously recognizing the importance of the growth of the kids, it will be more than just a special clubhouse. It’ll be a special season.