Former Cleveland Pitcher Dismissed as Rockies Manager After Tough Season

The Colorado Rockies have officially parted ways with manager Bud Black after a challenging season marked by poor performance on the field. With the team languishing in the league basement, ownership has made a bold decision to embrace change midseason.

This move ends Black’s nearly nine-year tenure and marks a symbolic turning point for a team searching for answers.

The End of an Era for Bud Black in Colorado

Bud Black’s dismissal marks the conclusion of an extensive chapter for the Colorado Rockies. The 67-year-old manager departs after amassing a 554-690 record, cementing his legacy as the winningest skipper in team history.

While that may read as a silver lining, Black’s tenure, like the franchise itself, has been defined by inconsistency and unmet potential.

Black’s most notable achievements came during the 2017 and 2018 seasons when he led the Rockies to back-to-back playoff appearances. However, since then, the team has been unable to recapture that magic, failing to post a winning season in the years that followed.

With the current squad sitting at a dismal 7-33—the worst record in Major League Baseball—ownership felt it was time for a change.

Ownership’s Push for Accountability

Team owner Dick Monfort did not mince words about the decision, highlighting the franchise’s downward trajectory as the primary driver behind the move. In a statement, Monfort emphasized the importance of accountability, saying, “Fans deserve better.”

These words underscore the mounting frustration among the Rockies’ fan base, which has endured season after season of lackluster results.

Black had signed a contract extension as recently as October 2024, ensuring his presence through 2025. However, the team’s atrocious start to 2025 forced Monfort to reconsider.

No amount of contractual security could justify the continued slide.

Leadership Changes: Who’s Taking Over?

Alongside Bud Black, bench coach Mike Redmond has also been let go. This further amplifies the message that the club is in search of a fresh perspective.

The Rockies have turned to a blend of familiar faces and rising plans to stabilize the dugout for the rest of the season.

Warren Schaeffer Steps Up as Interim Manager

Tasked with navigating the rest of what could be a turbulent season, third-base coach Warren Schaeffer has been promoted to interim manager. While he brings a fresh voice to the clubhouse, it remains to be seen whether he can spark a rapid turnaround for the struggling squad.

Schaeffer has no prior big-league managerial experience. Perhaps his presence is exactly what the Rockies need to reset and recalibrate.

Clint Hurdle Returns in a New Role

If Warren Schaeffer represents the “new,” Clint Hurdle is the “familiar.” The former Rockies manager, who held the reins from 2002-09 and led the team to its only World Series appearance in 2007, is stepping in as interim bench coach.

Fans may see his return as a nod to the franchise’s more competitive days. Expectations for immediate results remain tempered.

Bud Black’s Legacy: A Tale of Two Halves

When evaluating Bud Black’s impact on the Rockies, it’s important to weigh both his successes and his shortcomings. On one hand, Black’s leadership during the playoff runs in 2017 and 2018 helped energize a fan base hungry for October baseball.

His calm demeanor and pitching expertise also earned him respect among players who admired his big-league experience, which included 15 seasons as a left-handed pitcher.

On the other hand, his inability to sustain that momentum meant the Rockies never became the perennial contenders fans had hoped for. The challenges of building and maintaining a winning franchise in Colorado—where altitude factors into everything from ball movement to stamina—are well-documented.

Black’s tenure ultimately succumbed to a brutally competitive National League, internal mismanagement, and a roster that couldn’t find its footing.

What’s Next for the Colorado Rockies?

As the Rockies move forward, they are at a critical juncture in their identity as a franchise.

While interim leadership will aim to instill short-term stability, the team’s long-term outlook depends on several factors:

• Front office and ownership alignment: Can the Rockies establish a clear and cohesive vision for success?
• Player development: Will Colorado’s farm system deliver the key pieces needed to rebuild?
• Fan engagement: How can they rebuild trust with a frustrated but passionate fan base?

 
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