Bud Black deserves better hand than one he was dealt

Bud Black deserves better. He’d never say it, but it’s true.

Given a healthy, talented team, Black is a winning manager. He proved it his first two years with the Rockies, getting them to the postseason in 2017 and ’18, the only back-to-back playoff appearances in their lackluster history.

The Rockies had a winning road record just three times in their first 30 years, in 2009 under Jim Tracy (41-40) and under Black in ’17 (41-40) and ’18 (44-38). He helped young pitchers such as German Marquez and Kyle Freeland reach their potential. The starters’ ERA in 2018 was 4.17, the second-best in franchise history, trailing only the 2009 rotation (4.10).

If owner Dick Monfort and the front office had had the guts, foresight, and skills to add some key players at the trade deadline in ’18, the Rockies would have won the National League West for the first time in franchise history. If they had done things differently following the 2018 season — D.J. LeMahiue instead of Daniel Murphy to start with — the Rockies might have been contenders for a few more seasons.

But that’s ancient history.

Colorado entered the weekend with a 32-51 record, trending toward its first 100-loss season and firmly cemented in the NL West basement. That’s the ugly reality of this team.

Black turned 66 on Friday and in many ways, he’s an old-school manager. But I’ve asked around the clubhouse and I don’t sense that Black has lost the respect of his team.

As one veteran told me: “This isn’t on Buddy. Look at the injuries, look at some of the lineups we’ve been putting out there. I think he’s done a good job by keeping guys playing hard.

“It’s been rough, no doubt, but Buddy has our backs, and I think the guys appreciate that.”

Now comes one of the biggest challenges in Black’s 16 seasons as a major league manager. Veterans C.J. Cron and Kris Bryant are back from the injured list (Bryant returned Friday night vs. the Tigers), and Charlie Blackmon will likely return in the third week of July. Black will have to juggle his lineup to ensure that those veterans get their at-bats, while also ensuring that young players such as Nolan Jones, Brenton Doyle and Elehuris Montero play enough to grow, develop and be fairly evaluated.

“It’s just part of managing, so I don’t think it’s a big challenge or a big hurdle for the coaches and me,” Black said. “All of that is resolved through communication with our players and telling them what we want to accomplish.

“But you’re right, there is a line there where you want to give opportunities to your young players to give them repetitions, but also, there is the respect you want to show veteran players and their will to compete, play and do their jobs?”

When I told Black that he’s earned a reputation as an excellent communicator, he said, “I’m not going to say that. But I will say that teaching and coaching require communication. In this case, talking to your players. Teachers have to talk to their students.”

If the Rockies make any trades before the Aug. 1 deadline — especially if they deal veterans such as reliever Brad Hand, outfielders Jurickson Profar or Randal Grichuk, or first baseman Cron — Black’s teaching skills will be tested.