Now at the helm as the Colorado Rockies’ interim skipper, Warren Schaeffer faces the massive challenge of trying to turn around a team currently buried with an 8-42 record — including a crushing four-game sweep at the hands of the red-hot Phillies.
“We are in a very unique situation at the moment, and for me, opportunity abounds in the situation we have,” Schaeffer said recently. “If we don’t look at it like that, shame on us. Shame on us. We can take this moment we are in right now and come back three years from now and say, ‘Boy, we used that the right way to move forward.’”
It’s worth noting that the Rockies’ front office parted ways with longtime manager Bud Black on May 11, but the move hasn’t sparked any improvement. Since his dismissal, Colorado has won just two of its last 11 games.
Bleak projections for the Rockies
While Schaeffer remains hopeful his players can find a way forward, the outlook is grim. The Rockies are currently on pace to lose 136 games this season — which would break the all-time MLB record of 134 losses held by the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134).
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies reacts as we walks off the field after pulling Jake Bird #59 in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 04, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Not only is this one of the worst starts in franchise history since their founding in 1993, but it mirrors their disastrous 2024 season, when the team finished 61-101 and drew harsh criticism for crossing the 100-loss mark.
Tough road ahead for Schaeffer
This is Schaeffer’s first stint as a major league manager, although he’s been part of the Rockies’ organization for years. He entered the role with a 1-9 record and had previously served as the team’s third base and infield coach. If Schaeffer can somehow keep the Rockies from reaching 100 losses this season, it would be seen as nothing short of a miracle — and could finally end the streak of 100-loss campaigns that began in 2023.
