Collapse in Colorado: Rockies Fire Bud Black Amid Historic Struggles

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On Sunday, the Colorado Rockies fired manager Bud Black, ending a tenure that began with promise but ultimately unraveled in dramatic fashion. The firing followed a 9-3 win over the San Diego Padres, but it was far from a redemptive victory. At 7-33, the Rockies possess the worst record in Major League Baseball and are on pace to eclipse the 2023 Chicago White Sox's modern record of 121 losses in a season. The decision underscores a franchise in deep disarray, plagued by poor performance, questionable leadership, and long-term instability. Colorado’s recent performance has not only been poor, but historically dreadful. Just one day before Black’s firing, the Rockies lost to the Padres 21-0, part of a stretch during which the team allowed ten or more runs in four consecutive games. Their -128 run differential is the worst in the league by a margin of 59 runs. Offensively, the Rockies rank second-to-last in runs scored and are near the bottom in team batting average and OPS, a sign that problems go far beyond pitching. Bud Black, who has managed the team since 2017, led the Rockies to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons, including a National League Division Series run in 2018. However, the franchise has not won more than 74 games in any season since. Black exits with a 543-690 record and a .440 winning percentage. His firing came less than 24 hours after general manager Bill Schmidt publicly defended him, a decision that reveals potential discord or reactive leadership within the front office.

The Rockies also dismissed long-time bench coach Mike Redmond and promoted third-base coach Warren Schaeffer to interim manager. Schaeffer, who has worked his way up through the Rockies’ minor league system, may offer some continuity, but his inexperience at the MLB level suggests the remainder of 2025 will serve more as an evaluation period than a turnaround effort. Critics point to deeper issues within the Rockies’ organization that no managerial change can fix. The team’s minor league system ranks just 18th in MLB, and the payroll is saddled with large, underperforming contracts, including the $182 million deal given to Kris Bryant, who has played only 170 games in four seasons due to injuries. As the Rockies' owner, Dick Monfort, noted, “Our play so far this season, especially coming off the last two seasons, has been unacceptable. Our fans deserve better”. While Monfort pledged to use the remainder of 2025 to evaluate the organization, such statements have become routine in Colorado, where losing seasons have piled up under his ownership. Since Monfort took over as principal owner in 2000, the Rockies have had just six winning seasons and have yet to win a division title. The firing of Bud Black may be a symbolic step, but unless accompanied by significant changes in organizational philosophy, scouting, player development, and front-office leadership, the Rockies are unlikely to escape their current cycle of failure.