Rockies Fire Manager Bud Black After Rare Victory

In a shocking twist, the Colorado Rockies dismissed veteran manager Bud Black on May 11, just one day after ownership publicly backed him and moments after the team's most decisive win of the season. The Rockies' 9-3 victory over the San Diego Padres—snapping an eight-game skid—was overshadowed by Black's abrupt exit, marking a dramatic turn for a franchise mired in one of the worst starts in MLB history.  

Historic Struggles Prompt Change

Black's departure comes amid a disastrous 7-33 record to open the 2025 season, tying the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst 40-game start ever. The decision followed a humiliating 21-0 loss to the Padres on May 10, making Colorado just the sixth team in MLB history to lose by 21+ runs. The Rockies also tied a wild-card era (since 1969) record by allowing 10+ runs in four consecutive games this week, amplifying pressure for organizational accountability.  

Owner Dick Monfort, who called the team's performance "unacceptable" in a public statement, emphasized the need for change: "Our fans deserve better. We will use the remainder of 2025 to improve on the field and evaluate every aspect of our operation."  

Front Office Whiplash

The move contradicted GM Bill Schmidt's assurance just 24 hours earlier that Black's job was secure. Schmidt had praised the team's effort, stating, "Guys still believe in what we're doing." However, Monfort's intervention highlighted escalating tensions as the Rockies endure back-to-back 100-loss seasons for the first time in franchise history.  

Schaeffer Steps Into Spotlight

Third base coach Warren Schaeffer, 40, takes over as interim manager for the remainder of 2025. A longtime Rockies minor-league manager (2015–2022), Schaeffer is tasked with developing young talent and stabilizing the clubhouse. Schmidt expressed confidence in Schaeffer's "ability to connect with veterans and rookies" and restore competitive play.  

Clint Hurdle, hired as hitting coach three weeks ago, transitions to bench coach, replacing fired Mike Redmond. The shakeup leaves Schmidt under intense scrutiny as the front office faces mounting criticism.  

Black's Rocky Mountain Legacy

Black, who turns 68 next month, led the Rockies to playoff berths in 2017 and 2018 but failed to post a winning record in the six seasons since. His impending retirement after 2025 was anticipated, but the premature exit underscores the franchise's urgency to reboot.  

What's Next for the Rockies?

Colorado's overhaul reflects a league-wide trend, becoming the second team in 72 hours to fire a manager after Pittsburgh dismissed Derek Shelton on May 8. As Schaeffer inherits a roster plagued by pitching woes and offensive inconsistency, fans await signs of progress—or further upheaval—in a season already defined by historic lows.