Bud Black

Harry Ralston "Bud" Black (born June 30, 1957) is an American professional baseball manager and pitcher who most recently served as manager for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB from 1981 through 1995, most notably for the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians. He coached the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2000 through 2006 and managed the San Diego Padres from 2007 through 2015. He was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2010.

Early life Black graduated from Mark Morris High School in Longview, Washington. He initially pitched collegiately for Lower Columbia College. The San Francisco Giants selected him in the third round of the January 1977 amateur draft and the New York Mets selected him in the second round of the June 1977 MLB draft, but he did not sign with either team. He then attended San Diego State University, pitching for the Aztecs in 1978 and 1979. He graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in management. He was inducted into the Aztecs Hall of Fame in 1992.

Professional career Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners selected Black in the 17th round of 1979 Major League Baseball draft, with the 417th overall pick. The Mariners assigned him to the San Jose Missions of the Class A-Advanced California League, where he pitched in 17 games, mostly in relief, and posted a 3.00 ERA. He spent the entire 1980 season with San Jose, posting a 5–3 won-lost record with a 3.45 ERA in 32 appearances. In 1981, Black spent time with the Triple-A Spokane Indians and Double-A Lynn Sailors, posting a 3–6 record and 3.13 ERA in 11 starts and 26 total appearances.

Black made his major league debut with the Mariners on September 5, 1981, in a relief appearance where he faced only one batter (Rick Miller of the Boston Red Sox) and gave up a hit. He only made one more appearance that season, the following day where he pitched 1 inning, gave up 1 hit, and issued 3 walks. He began the 1982 season in the major leagues, primarily as a reliever. On April 18, Black made his first major league start, lasting innings but giving up 9 hits, 7 runs, and 4 walks to the Cleveland Indians. He was optioned in May to the Triple-A Omaha Royals, where he posted a 3–1 record with a 2.49 ERA in 4 starts. In his rookie season, Black had a 4–6 record with a 4.58 ERA across innings. On July 24 against the New York Yankees, Black pitched the first 6 innings of what would ultimately become the Pine Tar Incident, an incident where George Brett's go-ahead home run was overturned to become a game-ending out because the umpires decided there was too much pine tar on Brett's bat. Black received a no-decision instead of a loss because the game was protested, causing the league to reinstate Brett's go-ahead home run. On August 4 and 9, Black threw back-to-back complete games, both against the Milwaukee Brewers. For the season, Black had a 10–7 record, innings pitched, and a 3.79 ERA. On September 17, Reggie Jackson hit his 500th career home run off of Black. Black had a 17–12 record, 3.12 ERA and AL-leading 1.128 walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP) in 257 innings pitched.

In 1985, Black was the Royals' Opening Day starter for the second consecutive season. He pitched innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run. He threw 5 complete games that year, 2 of which were shutouts. He finished the regular season with a 10–15 record, innings pitched, and a 4.33 ERA. In the postseason, Black was both a starting pitcher and relief pitcher. He started Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, lasting 7 innings while giving up 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned). He was used for of an inning in Game 3 of the series on one day of rest. In Game 6, Black deployed as a long reliever, holding the Blue Jays scoreless through innings and earning the hold. In Game 1 of the World Series, Black got the final out of the 9th inning after walking two batters. In Game 4, he started and went 5 innings against the Cardinals but gave up 4 hits, 3 earned runs, and took the loss.

Black split the 1987 season between the rotation and bullpen, intermittently moving between starting and relieving. He opened the season as a reliever, not giving up an earned run through his first 5 appearances but blowing a save with 2 earned runs on April 29. In May, Black returned to the starting rotation. He primarily remained as a starter throughout the season, making three relief appearances in September but starting in his final appearance of the year. He finished the year with an 8–6 record, 1 save, innings pitched, and a 3.60 ERA.

Black opened the 1988 season with the Royals, only working as a reliever. He made 17 appearances and pitched 22 innings, posting a 2–1 record and a 4.91 ERA. The Indians went the same direction as the Royals, initially using Black as a relief pitcher. He made his Indians debut on June 5, collecting 1 strikeout against the Detroit Tigers. In July, the Indians converted Black back to a starting pitcher. His stint in the rotation that year lasted 7 games, a stretch where he threw 37 innings, posting a 1–2 record with a 4.86 ERA. In late September, Cleveland moved Black to the bullpen once again for his final two appearances of the season.

After the 1988 season, Black became a free agent but re-signed with the Indians a month later. In 1989, he experienced a revival in his pitching career, being named as the Indians #2 starter behind Greg Swindell. He made his season debut on April 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching innings while giving up 8 hits and 2 earned runs. In 1989, Black pitched 6 complete games, 3 of which were shutouts. He finished the year with a 12–11 record, innings pitched, and a 3.36 ERA.

In 1990, Black was Cleveland's Opening Day starter, going 5 innings with 6 hits and 3 earned runs surrendered against the New York Yankees. He remained the team's ace for most of the year, starting 29 games where posted an 11–10 record with 191 innings pitched and a 3.53 ERA. He threw 5 complete games in that stretch, 2 of which were shutouts.

Toronto Blue Jays On September 16, 1990, the Indians traded Black to the Toronto Blue Jays for Mauro Gozzo and two players to be named later (Steve Cummings and Alex Sanchez). In the 1991 season, he was placed second in the starting rotation behind John Burkett. He made his Giants debut on April 10, going 7 innings against the San Diego Padres, giving up 4 hits, 4 runs, and striking out 10. He threw 3 shutouts in 1991, including back-to-back shutouts on May 5 and 10, both times against the New York Mets. He finished the season with a 12–16 record, innings pitched, and a 3.99 ERA. He made his season debut on May 9 against the Montreal Expos, surrendering 7 hits and 8 runs (7 earned) through innings. He threw 2 complete games, one of which was a shutout. He finished with a 10–12 record, 177 innings pitched, and a 3.97 ERA. He finished with an 8–2 record, innings pitched, and a 3.56 ERA.

In 1994, Black pitched a limited number of games due to the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike that ended the season in August. He went 4–2 with innings pitched and a 4.47 ERA. He was later signed to a major-league deal on April 25. He struggled through 10 starts and 1 relief appearance with the team, posting a 4–2 record in innings pitched with a 6.85 ERA. His final career stats were a 121–116 record, innings pitched, 398 games (296 started), a 3.84 ERA, a 1.267 WHIP, 1,039 strikeouts, 12 shutouts, and 11 saves.

Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels On November 23, 1999, Anaheim Angels manager Mike Scioscia hired Black to be the team's pitching coach, joining a group of new assistant coaching hires that also included Joe Maddon, Alfredo Griffin, Ron Roenicke, and Mickey Hatcher.

Under Black's direction in 2002, Angels pitchers combined for a 3.69 ERA and a .247 batting average against (BAA), both good for fourth-best in the league. In October 2002, as the Angels were preparing for the 2002 World Series, the Cleveland Indians inquired about Black becoming the team's next manager after the firing of Charlie Manuel. Black declined the job offer and Eric Wedge was hired instead. Black and the Angels took on the Giants in the World Series, a team led by Dusty Baker, the manager of the 1993 and 1994 Giants teams that Black pitched for. Following the Angels' defeat of the Giants and the subsequent release of Baker, Black was named as a potential candidate for the San Francisco managerial job.

On October 24, 2003, the Angels gave Black a one-year contract extension to remain with the team through the 2004 season. In November 2003, Black was interviewed by the Boston Red Sox for the team's managerial opening, but the job went to Terry Francona and Black remained with the Angels.

Black coached Bartolo Colón in 2005 during his AL Cy Young-winning season.

San Diego Padres In October , Brian Sabean, general manager of the Giants, interviewed Black for the Giants' vacant managerial position. After the position went to Padres manager Bruce Bochy, Black became a candidate for the Padres job, and was officially hired on November 8, 2006. Despite a last-place finish for the Padres in , Black returned to finish his contract in 2009. During the 2009 season, Black was given a contract extension for the 2010 season with a club option for 2011. During the 2010 season, the Padres gave Black another three-year extension through 2013, with club options in 2014 and 2015. In 2010, Black presided over the worst collapse in Padres history when they went on a ten-game losing streak with a little over a month left in the season, went 12–16 in September and squandered a -game lead over the Giants for the NL West title. Black nonetheless was the winner of the 2010 National League Manager of the Year Award, edging Dusty Baker of the Cincinnati Reds in voting by a single point. Black is only the third former full-time pitcher to win a Manager of the Year Award, joining Tommy Lasorda and Larry Dierker.

On June 15, 2015, Black was fired after eight-plus seasons with the Padres after the team started 2015 at 32–33 and was six games behind in the National League West. He finished with a record of 649 wins and 713 losses.

On October 28, 2015, The Washington Post reported that the Washington Nationals intended to hire Black as their new manager following the 2015 World Series, replacing fired manager Matt Williams. However, it was later reported that he would not be getting the job. Black turned down the Nationals offer, which he considered to be too low.

Los Angeles Angels (second stint) On November 25, 2015, it was announced that Black would be returning to the Los Angeles Angels to serve as a special assistant to the new general manager, Billy Eppler. Black previously served as a pitching coach for the team from 2000 to 2006.

Colorado Rockies

On November 7, 2016, the Colorado Rockies announced Black as its new manager. On April 3, 2017, Black won his Rockies debut, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day, notching his 650th win as a manager. Black led the Rockies to the playoffs in both 2017 and 2018, his first two seasons as Rockies manager.

On February 8, 2022, the Rockies extended Black through the 2023 season. On April 10, Black earned his 1,000th career win as a manager in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On February 15, 2023, Black signed a one-year contract extension that ran through the 2024 season. The Rockies finished the 2023 season with 103 losses, five more than the franchise's previous high of 98 in 2012. The Rockies also ended the season with 1,543 strikeouts, the most in franchise history as well as the lowest team batting average of .249 (which was just slightly lower than the 2021 team batting average).

In 2024, the Rockies suffered their second consecutive 100-loss season. On September 17, 2024, Black became the winningest manager in the franchise's 32–year history following an 8–2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, passing the record set previously by Clint Hurdle.

On October 8, 2024, Black signed a one-year contract extension with the Rockies for the 2025 season.

San Diego Padres (second stint) On January 14, 2026, the San Diego Padres hired Black to serve as a senior advisor to baseball operations.

Managerial record

Team Year Regular season PostseasonGamesWonLostWin %Finish Won Lost Win % ResultSD20071638974 3rd in NL West - – – SD20081626399 5th in NL West – – – SD20091627587 5th in NL West – – – SD20101629072 2nd in NL West – – – SD20111627191 5th in NL West – – – SD20121627686 4th in NL West – – – SD20131627686 3rd in NL West – – – SD20141627785 3rd in NL West – – – SD2015653233 Fired – – – SD total 1,362 649 713 - - COL20171628775 3rd in NL West 0 1 Lost NLWC (ARI)COL20181639172 2nd in NL West 1 3 Lost NLDS (MIL)COL20191627191 4th in NL West – – – COL2020602634 4th in NL West – – – COL20211617487 4th in NL West – – – COL20221626894 5th in NL West – – – COL202316259103 5th in NL West – – – COL202416261101 5th in NL West - - - COL202540733 Fired - - - COL total 1,234 544 690 1 4 Total 2,596 1,1931,403 1 4

Personal life Black was born to Canadian parents in Northern California. He and his wife, a pediatric ICU nurse, have two daughters.