Reports vary on if Rockies might actually rehire Bud Black for new role

The Colorado Rockies fired manager Bud Black last month after the team got off to a horrendous 7-33 start.

Black, who had guided the club since 2017, compiled a career 544-690 record before being let go.

The Rockies promoted Warren Schaeffer to interim manager and have been playing better baseball of late, although the bar is still extremely low. Colorado is 11-27 under Schaeffer’s watch, but a respectable 9-10 over their last 19 games.

Eyebrows were raised over the weekend when USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported the Rockies might actually rehire Black in a new role. Yes, just about six weeks after owner Dick Monfort and GM Bill Schmidt felt a change was needed, Black might be back in the dugout soon. At least according to Nightengale.

“Black, who turns 68 on June 30, could be rejoining the Rockies just a month after being dismissed as manager after eight seasons. Black is a strong candidate to rejoin the Rockies as a pitching director or special assistant,” Nightengale wrote.

Nightengale adds that Black has no interest in retiring and wants to stay around the game.

That’s great and all, but bringing back the guy you just fired would be a really bad look for the Rockies. One of the biggest criticisms of Monfort over the years is that he can never look outside the organization for help. This wouldn’t exactly help that narrative.

However, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post is reporting something different.

Spoke to some people who watered down the rumors of Bud Black returning to #Rockies as pitching coordinator.

— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) June 23, 2025

Saunders calls them rumors and it sounds like his sources don’t think this is happening. Regardless, the fact this is even a conversation feels so very Rockies. Move on, get some fresh voices involved and wish Black all the best with his next team.

We’ll see how it shakes out, but for now, if Black comes back this quickly after getting fired you can bet the critics will have a lot to say. And rightfully so.

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