PHOENIX — Bud Black is a good manager. And the man’s a charmer, too. there’s no doubt that.
But his April honeymoon is over, and the real, grinding challenge of trying to transform the Rockies into a possible postseason contender began this weekend at Chase Field against the much-improved Diamondbacks.
First, Black must find real answers to the annual Rockies pitching riddle. What’s more, he’s going to have to start juggling his lineup, and his players’ egos, soon. Ian Desmond, Colorado’s $70-million man, is almost back and he needs to play, but Black can’t simply bench first baseman Mark Reynolds, who’s sparkled like an all-star in April.