Weinstein wearing a new hat in a familiar city
Jerry Weinstein’s daily work in the clubhouse and on the field is done before the first pitch.
Then he puts on his civilian clothes and adjourns to the bleachers.
He selects a new location each night, depending on whom he’s inspecting: Pitchers, catchers, infielders or outfielders.
“I haven’t been in the dugout once this season,” he said.
So says the man who’s lived virtually his entire baseball life in the dugout.
Weinstein, 72, is the Modesto Nuts’ developmental supervisor, a position the Colorado Rockies have created this season for each of their minor-league teams. Weinstein calls it “a mentorship job where you work with the players and you work with the staff.”
Local fans know Weinstein well, starting with his five seasons as manager of the Nuts (2007-11). Some may remember him from the 831 games his Sacramento City teams won during his 23 years as coach of the Panthers.
He also served two seasons coaching the catchers and positioning the defense with the Colorado Rockies (2012-13). Last year, he was the organization’s point-man for minor-league development.
So he’s seen the game from all angles, which includes the third row next to the family of five at Thurman Field.
“I keep notes on the game and we’ll discuss for 45 minutes afterward,” he said.
Weinstein prefers managing a team, but a close second is guiding young prospects. He’s comfortable in Modesto – he and wife Andrea have rented a home here this season – and enjoys the valley lifestyle.
“I’ve done this for 55 years. I have a full cabinet,” he said. “I’d like to manage but this isn’t going to happen so I prefer working with the younger guys.”
Like many baseball lifers, Weinstein insists he sees something new every night he walks into a ballpark. For example, he watched Modesto cleanup hitter Correlle Prime lay down a sacrifice bunt during Wednesday night’s 7-2 win over San Jose. He bunted successfully, which led to two runs.
“That (bunt) was on his own,” Weinstein said. “I like the idea that he was thinking about the team. But I’d rather have him driving the ball to the off-gap for a chance for multiple runs. But that (the skill to bunt) is a nice tool to have in your tool box.”
He also likes the metrics and the new-age statistics that break down the game to even more refined levels.
“It makes a lot of sense. Baseball is a mathematical and statistical game that comes down to scoring runs,” he said. “You won’t see as many sacrifice bunts in the big leagues this season, because you can score more runs with a runner on first base and nobody out than with a runner at second and one out. There’s some human variables involved, of course, but...”
Not a surprising thought for a man who describes himself as a “not a traditional guy in a traditional game.”
High Desert 6, Modesto 1 – The Nuts managed only five hits and struck out 13 times against four High Desert pitchers in a 6-1 loss Thursday night at Thurman Field. The Mavericks, 3-1 against the Nuts this season, visit for a four-game series through Sunday.
High Desert starter Cole Wiper allowed only two singles in four shutout innings. The win went to reliever Shane McCain (2-1) who worked two scoreless innings.
Modesto’s Johendi Jiminan (3-7) gave up three runs in the first two innings, including Alberto Triunfel’s homer in his first California League game.
The Nuts scored in the ninth on a double by Correlle Prime and a single by Ashley Graeter.
Nuts update – Nuts leadoff man Raimel Tapia (.309, team-leading 39 RBIs), who played in 63 of the Nuts’ first 66 games, was given a rest Wednesday night. Cesar Galvez stepped into the leadoff spot against San Jose and went 3 for 5, reached base four times, drove in a run and scored one. The Nuts took two out of three against the Giants ... Rockies staffers checking out the Nuts this week: Director of Player Development Chris Forbes and Roving Pitching Coordinator Doug Linton.
This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 9:48 PM with the headline "Weinstein wearing a new hat in a familiar city."