Rockies Lose 21-0, Fire Bud Black

Bud Black is out as manager of the Colorado Rockies.

The second MLB manager to be fired last week following Pittsburgh’s dismissal of Derek Shelton, Black’s removal marked the end of a nearly decade-long tenure. Following nine seasons managing the San Diego Padres, Black was hired to lead the Rockies ahead of the 2017 season. The veteran manager led Colorado to the postseason in each of his first two years.

In 2017, Colorado finished third in the NL West with an 87-75 record and played the rival Diamondbacks in the Wild Card Game — Colorado was eliminated with an 11-8 loss. The following year, the Rockies and Dodgers finished with identical 91-71 records and played a 163rd game to determine the NL West champion. Los Angeles won the game and sent Colorado back to the Wild Card. There, the Rockies upset the 95-win Cubs in a 13-inning affair. However, the club was swept by Milwaukee in the NLDS.

Back-to-back trips to the postseason to start Black’s tenure had the fanbase excited for the future. Unfortunately, the Rockies failed to make another trip to the playoffs before Black’s dismissal Sunday afternoon.

Black’s firing came the day after a humiliating 21-0 loss to the Padres. Overall, the Rockies are 7-33 and are on pace to finish with the worst record in MLB history.

“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,” Rockies owner, chairman and CEO Dick Monfort said in a statement. “While we all share responsibility in how this season has played out, these changes are necessary. We will use the remainder of 2025 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.”

Black, who was in his ninth season as manager, is the winningest manager in franchise history. He departs the club with a 544-690 record. The club also fired bench coach Mike Redmond. Third-base coach Warren Schaeffer will finish the season as interim manager, while hitting coach Clint Hurdle will take over for Redmond as bench coach. Hurdle formerly managed the Rockies (2002-2009) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2011-2019).

“We have to get better and move forward,” general manager Bill Schmidt said Sunday. “We owe it to our fans to play better baseball.”

Schmidt’s comments came a day after he publicly supported Black, saying, “Buddy’s doing a good job right now. They’re showing up for work and playing with effort.”

The Rockies enter play on Monday 19.5 GB of the Dodgers in the NL West and sport a dismal -128 run differential. Despite having played 21 games at Coors Field thus far, the Rockies have scored a paltry 133 runs. Both Black and Redmond are respected within the clubhouse and around the league. Veteran pitcher Kyle Freeland spoke fondly of the men while also acknowledging change was necessary.

“I love both those guys to death. I’ll be in contact with them for hopefully the rest of my life,” Freeland said. “Clearly, some changes needed to be made to see if we can start turning this thing around, get going in a new direction and get some traction.”

Colorado hasn’t won more than 71 games since its 91-win campaign in 2018, and has lost 100+ games the past two years. The upcoming schedule doesn’t do the club any favors as Schaeffer takes over either. Through the end of May, Colorado faces a gauntlet: @ Rangers, @ Diamondbacks, vs. Phillies, vs. Yankees, @ Cubs, @ Mets.