SAN FRANCISCO — When Ian Kennedy pitched against the San Diego Padres, he learned from their players how much respect Bud Black commanded as manager.
“If they lost,” Kennedy said, “they felt bad because they let Buddy down.”
So imagine the feelings in the clubhouse of these Padres, whose inconsistent play got Black fired on June 15, after more than eight years. The roster was undeniably talented after an aggressive off-season makeover by a new general manager, A.J. Preller. Yet the results looked the same as usual in San Diego: more losses than wins.
In Black’s place is Pat Murphy, promoted from Class AAA, where he had managed the El Paso Chihuahuas.