Rockies reach extension with most successful manager in franchise history

Denver – In the Colorado Rockies 25-year history, the postseason has been a dream more often than not.

But it has been a reality the last two years under the direction of manager Bud Black whose specific abilities to reach and teach young pitching appears to have been among the most important factors for the suddenly consistent contenders.

As such, and without much surprise, the club reached an agreement on Monday to extend the manager’s contract for another three years, providing a bit of stability to a team that is still looking at a bit of an ambiguous future.

The questions will keep pouring in about the long term plans for Nolan Arenado and will begin soon about extensions for players like Trevor Story and Kyle Freeland but this is a first step that is likely to please everyone involved.

It’s been a love at first sight situation with Black ever since he arrived in Denver, his presence immediately lending legitimacy to a franchise that has struggled to find it.

Black, 61, has been named a National League Manager of the Year finalist in each of his first two seasons with the Rockies, leading the club to back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in franchise history.

In 2018, Black led the Rockies to a 91-72 record, the second-most wins in franchise history, and to their first Division Series appearance since 2009. Overall in his two seasons as manager, Black has gone 178-147, the best winning percentage among Rockies managers in franchise history.

Black was named the seventh manager in Rockies franchise history on Nov. 7, 2016 after he spent the 2016 season as a special assistant to the general manager for the Los Angeles Angels.

Prior to joining the Angels, Black spent eight seasons and part of a ninth (2007-15) as the manager of the San Diego Padres, guiding the Padres to 649 wins during his tenure, the second-most managerial wins in Padres history. In 2010, he was named the NL Manager of the Year after guiding the Padres to a 90-72 record.

The deal runs through the 2022 season.