The Colorado Rockies have fired long-time manager Bud Black, the team announced on Sunday.
Black, 67, had managed the Rockies since 2017, but will be replaced on an interim basis by third-base coach Warren Schaeffer. Schaeffer will take over for the rest of the 2025 season.
The decision comes after a catastrophic 6-33 start to the season, marking one of the worst 39-game starts in MLB history.
A win on Sunday against the San Diego Padres brought the Rockies’ record to 7-33, putting them on pace for a record 134 losses this year. The team’s struggles included a franchise-worst 21-0 loss to the Padres on Saturday.
Black finishes his tenure in Colorado with a 544-690 record. Although he led the Rockies to postseason appearances in his first two seasons, the team has since experienced six straight losing seasons, with this year shaping up to be another.
In addition to Black’s dismissal, bench coach Mike Redmond was also fired and replaced by hitting coach Clint Hurdle, who previously managed the Rockies from 2002 to 2009.
Rockies owner and CEO Dick Monfort expressed disappointment in the team’s performance this season. “Our play so far this season has been unacceptable,” Monfort said. “These changes are necessary, and we will use the remainder of 2025 to evaluate all areas of our operation.”
Schaeffer, 40, who managed several Colorado minor-league affiliates before joining the Rockies’ staff in 2023, now takes the reins as interim manager. Monfort believes Schaeffer is the right choice to lead the team for the rest of the season and help develop young talent.
“I believe Warren is the right person to lead us forward,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “He has a great ability to connect with both veterans and young players.”
Photo: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
