Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was not happy with the Colorado Rockies launching Captain Bud Black on Sunday.
Roberts believes the Rockies’ failure depends more on ownership than his former mentor.
Roberts told reporters through the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.
"That's not the manager's fault," he added. "Obviously, they feel they need to change their voice or direction, but for me, not many people are better than Buddy Black. It's very disappointing. It's certainly not his job."
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Roberts may feel particularly strong for Black as he coached at the San Diego Padres since 2011-15, first serving as the staff first base coach before moving to the backup coach. Paders had no record of winning in Black’s staff in those five seasons, but Roberts started as Dodgers manager from there.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts coached for five seasons with former Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
(John McCoy via Getty Image)Black was fired after the 2025 season started 7-33 in the Rockies, putting them in the footsteps and breaking the modern era record, a record set in a MLB season (121) (121), set by the Chicago White Sox last year. Colorado is also making its seventh consecutive loss season, losing 100 or more in the third time.
All of this happened under Black's tenure and began in the 2017 season. The Rockies ended with a winning record in Black's first two seasons and qualified for the MLB playoffs. However, the team has not won more than 74 games in the past six seasons.
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But, as Roberts noted, few managers (even winning 1,905 games and nine World Series titles) can succeed in the front desk and roster of ownership rallies in the Rockies.
A bad team usually has young talents that can develop. However, Colorado's minor league system ranks 18th out of baseball's 30 organizations, according to MLB.com. The salary offered Kris Bryant a seven-year, $182 million deal, who played just 170 games in four seasons in the Rockies and had a degenerate waist condition that recently required surgery.
As the Dodgers manager, Roberts took advantage of the Rockies' incompetence. In 10 years with Los Angeles, the Dodgers' game against Colorado has scored 103-51, including 3-0 this season. These three wins this season can be said to be the Dodgers’ season after losing six of their nine games in early April.
Warren Schaeffer was appointed interim manager for the Rockies, rising from third base coach. He will have a chance to improve Colorado's 0.331 win rate, while the Dodgers will start three-game series at Coors Field from June 24 to 26.