Kyle Freeland didn’t stay silent — and neither did Germán Márquez — as both Rockies pitchers reacted openly to the firing of manager Bud Black, a decision that even drew a response from Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts.
Freeland acknowledged that emotions are running high in the clubhouse following the move. Having known Black since the start of his professional career with the Rockies, Freeland admitted the decision hit close to home. Still, he recognized that changes were likely necessary given the team’s struggles.
The Rockies’ poor start to the current MLB season — with more than 30 losses already — likely prompted the organization’s decision. But reaction across platforms like X suggested that many saw Black as the scapegoat for deeper issues within the franchise.
Márquez: “It’s kinda sad” to see Black go
Márquez recently helped the Rockies snap a painful losing streak with a 9–3 win over the Padres. Speaking about Black’s exit, the pitcher shared how hard it was to lose a manager who had been with the team for so long.
“It’s kinda sad, he knew everybody from 2017 — Kyle, Senzatela… It’s kinda hard. We spent a lot of time, a lot of years with that guy. A lot of ups and downs. You know, it is what it is — baseball is like this. We’re looking to move forward.”
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Rockies move on, but results remain the same
Black had managed the Rockies since 2017, leading them to two postseason appearances — a rare feat for a franchise with limited playoff history. Despite inheriting a young roster, his tenure saw some of the team’s most competitive stretches in recent memory. However, Colorado hasn’t posted a winning season since 2018 and is now on track for a third consecutive 100-loss campaign.
