Bud Black
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Birth Name: Harry Ralston Black College: San Diego State Personal: Wife: Nanette, Daughters:Jamie and Jessie
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“He was always the crafty little left-hander who had good breaking stuff, but was not an intimidating power athlete.” - Kirk Roland The San Francisco Giants drafted Bud in June of 1975 but Black decided to get an education instead of joining the team. Black attended Lower Columbia Community College in Washington and would transfer to San Diego State University. 1984 was breakout season for Bud. He lead the Royal starters in innings, wins, ERA, and strike outs after starting the season in the bullpen. In September game against the Angels Bud allowed Reggie Jackson’s 500th career home run. The Royals went on to win the game 10-1. It was easy come easy go for Bud though. In 1985 Black was the only starter on a Royals Championship team to post a losing record. That pushed him back into the bullpen for years to come and eventually helped him find his way out of Kansas City. Black did pitch well enough on October 3rd with a three hit shutout to get the Royals back in a first place tie for the west. Black pitched 10.2 innings including one start in the ALCS helping the Royals to the World Series. The team won the Series and Black started just one game, relieving in another going 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA. In April of 91 Black pitches while Steve Decker catches, Black and Decker. Black gets a loss in the game against the Dodgers. In 1993 Black was 8-2 with a 3.56 ERA for the Giants. Strike shortened years in 1994 and 1995 ended Buds career on a down note. Black started only 21 games between the two seasons winning 8 losing 4. Black retired after the 1995 season with the Indians, he did not pitch in the post season for the team. The Angels named Black the teams new pitching coach on November 23, 1999. Black was the pitching coach for the Anaheim Angels when they won the 2002 World Series. In 2003 the Cleveland Indians tried to get Black to become their manager, Bud told them no thanks. Before 2004 the Boston Red Sox tried to get Bud as their manager, again Bud passed. Black met with the San Diego Padres after the 2006 season and agreed to a contact to manage the team. Black guided the Padres to a one-game play off against the Colorado Rockies which they lost. The lasting image of his first year as a manager is that of an incident on September 23, 2007 in which Padres left fielder Milton Bradley was ejected and then injured as result of Black attempting to restrain him. Bradley’s season was over as result and Black was ejected one batter later after arguing a check swing against Adrian Gonzalez. |
