Rockies Fire Manager Bud Black After Dismal Start, Shake Up Coaching Staff

The Colorado Rockies, mired in a historically bad start to the season, have finally pulled the trigger, firing manager Bud Black after a 7-33 record. The move comes just a day after General Manager Bill Schmidt publicly expressed confidence in Black, a decision that was quickly overturned following a humiliating 21-0 loss to the San Diego Padres.

The timing of the firing, announced shortly after the Rockies secured a surprising 9-3 victory over the same Padres, added to the bizarre nature of the situation. The win, a rare moment of celebration in a season filled with disappointment, was immediately overshadowed by the news of Black’s dismissal.

The decision has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that Black was not to blame for the team’s struggles. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a close friend of Black and former member of his coaching staff in San Diego, vehemently defended the ousted manager. “I don’t think Casey Stengel could change the outcome of that ballclub,” Roberts said. “That’s not the manager’s fault. Obviously, they felt they needed a change in voice or direction, but for me, there’s not many people that are better than Buddy Black. It’s very disappointing. It’s not his fault.”

Indeed, Black’s track record in Colorado includes leading the Rockies to playoff appearances in his first two seasons, 2017 and 2018. That team featured a potent lineup with names like Trevor Story, DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, and Charlie Blackmon, who combined for 150 home runs and 605 RBIs.

However, the current team is a far cry from those playoff contenders. They rank last in the league in hitting with a paltry .219 average, second-to-last in OPS at .646, and possess the worst ERA in MLB at a staggering 5.77. The Rockies lack offensive firepower, with no hitter batting above .290 and only two exceeding .250. Even with the advantage of playing in the hitter-friendly Coors Field, no player has hit more than six home runs.

Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon echoed the sentiment that Black wasn’t solely responsible. “It’s tough, I don’t think it was Buddy’s fault, much,” McMahon told the Denver Post. “We didn’t play to our capabilities, but this is the direction the organization decided to go, so we’ll roll with it…Hey, it might be a kick in the ass. Like, heads up! We’re in a spot where we need to make some moves and start doing some stuff, or things like this are going to happen.”

The Rockies’ historically poor start places them among the worst teams in baseball history. They are one of only five teams since 1900 to lose 33 of their first 40 games, joining the ranks of the 1904 Washington Senators, 1928 Philadelphia Phillies, 1932 Boston Red Sox, and 1988 Baltimore Orioles. The team is on pace to lose at least 100 games for the third consecutive season and potentially set a new MLB record for losses with a projected 134.

Rockies owner Dick Monfort addressed the situation, stating, “Our play so far this season, especially coming off the last two seasons, has been unacceptable. Our fans deserve better, and we are capable of better. While we all share responsibility in how this season has played out, these changes are necessary. We will use the remainder of 2024 to improve where we can on the field and to evaluate all areas of our operation so we can properly turn the page into the next chapter of Rockies baseball.” (The statement mistakenly refers to 2025.)

Taking over as interim manager is 40-year-old third base coach Warren Schaeffer, who has been with the organization since 2015. In addition to the managerial change, the Rockies have also shuffled their coaching staff. Clint Hurdle, recently hired as the hitting coach, will now serve as the bench coach, replacing Mike Redmond, who was also fired. Jordan Pacheco and Nick Wilson will assume the roles of hitting coaches, while Andy Martinez moves from assistant hitting coach to third base coach.

The sweeping changes leave General Manager Bill Schmidt on shaky ground, especially after his public endorsement of Black just hours before his dismissal. The situation highlights the influence of owner Dick Monfort, who seemingly overruled Schmidt’s decision.

Bud Black, who was in the final year of his contract and widely expected to retire at the end of the season, departs after nine years as the Rockies’ manager. While he led the team to playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018, the Rockies have struggled in recent years, enduring consecutive 100-loss seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Despite the circumstances, Schmidt expressed optimism about the future under Schaeffer’s leadership. “I believe that Warren is the right person to lead us forward for the remainder of this season, develop our young talent at the Major League level and get our club back to playing a better brand of baseball,” Schmidt said. “He has a great ability to connect with both veterans and young players and is an excellent communicator.”

The Rockies are hoping that Schaeffer’s appointment will bring a change in fortune. Interestingly, Black’s firing as manager of the Padres in 2015 led to the brief appointment of Dave Roberts as interim manager. Roberts has since gone on to win two World Series titles with the Dodgers. His replacement, Pat Murphy, was the National League Manager of the Year last season. The Rockies will be hoping their new manager enjoys similar success and can turn around a franchise in desperate need of a change. The organizational reset indicates more than just a struggling team, it highlights an understanding within the Rockies that a significant change is needed to improve.