Bud Black

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bud Black's professional career began when the Seattle Mariners selected him in the 17th round of the 1979 MLB draft, 417th overall. He made his major league debut with the Mariners on September 5, 1981, facing one batter and giving up a hit. In March 1982, the Mariners traded Black to the Kansas City Royals for Manny Castillo. With the Royals, Black became the Opening Day starter in 1984 and 1985. In 1984, he threw the first shutout of his career, blanking the Chicago White Sox 1-0, and finished with a 17-12 record, a 3.12 ERA, and an AL-leading 1.128 WHIP. He started Game 1 of the 1984 ALCS and pitched in the 1985 World Series. On June 3, 1988, the Royals traded Black to the Cleveland Indians for Pat Tabler. After the 1988 season, Black became a free agent but re-signed with the Indians. In 1989, he was named the Indians' #2 starter and finished with a 12-11 record and a 3.36 ERA. He was Cleveland's Opening Day starter in 1990. On September 16, 1990, the Indians traded Black to the Toronto Blue Jays. He became a free agent after the season and signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on November 9, 1990. With the Giants in 1991, he threw back-to-back shutouts on May 5 and 10 against the New York Mets. On April 7, 1995, Black signed a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians for a second stint.

In Their Own Story

On July 24, 1983, Bud Black was on the mound for the Kansas City Royals against the New York Yankees. He pitched the first six innings of what became the Pine Tar Incident. George Brett hit a go-ahead home run that was overturned to a game-ending out because umpires ruled there was too much pine tar on Brett's bat. Black received a no-decision instead of a loss because the game was protested, and the league later reinstated Brett's home run. On September 17, 1984, Reggie Jackson hit his 500th career home run off Black. In 1991 with the San Francisco Giants, Black threw three shutouts, including back-to-back shutouts on May 5 and 10, both against the New York Mets. In 1993, after an August 3 game against the San Diego Padres, Black suffered elbow inflammation that ended his season due to a 60-day disabled list placement.

Reader's Guide

Bud Black's playing career spanned 15 seasons from 1981 through 1995. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants. He was a starting pitcher and reliever, throwing complete games and shutouts for multiple teams. He was the Royals' Opening Day starter in 1984 and 1985, and the Indians' Opening Day starter in 1990. After his playing career, Black coached the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2000 through 2006. He then managed the San Diego Padres from 2007 through 2015, winning the National League Manager of the Year award in 2010. He most recently served as manager for the Colorado Rockies.

Did You Know?

• Bud Black was selected in three different MLB drafts: by the San Francisco Giants (January 1977, 3rd round), the New York Mets (June 1977, 2nd round), and the Seattle Mariners (1979, 17th round).
• Black graduated from San Diego State University in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in management and was inducted into the Aztecs Hall of Fame in 1992.
• On September 17, 1984, Black gave up Reggie Jackson's 500th career home run.
• Black pitched the first six innings of the game that became the Pine Tar Incident on July 24, 1983.
• In 1991 with the San Francisco Giants, Black threw back-to-back shutouts on May 5 and 10, both against the New York Mets.