Rockies' Freeland upset to see Black go, but 'changes needed to be made'

Multiple Colorado Rockies players were upset to see the organization fire manager Bud Black and bench coach Mike Redmond on Sunday, but they understood it was time for a change.

"Clearly some changes needed to be made to see if we can start turning this thing around, get going in a new direction, and get some traction going to the team," left-hander Kyle Freeland said, according to MLB.com. "Right now, wins are very few and far between for us."

Freeland added, "The organization is moving in a certain direction, and we've got to ride along with that."

Black was let go with the Rockies holding the worst record in the majors at 7-33. Third-base coach Warren Schaeffer was named interim manager to replace him, while former Rockies skipper Clint Hurdle took over as bench coach.

The 67-year-old Black was with the Rockies for nine seasons, leading them to postseason appearances in 2017 and 2018. However, the club is on pace for its third-straight 100-loss season.

"It might be a kick in the ass," Ryan McMahon said, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. "We're in a spot where we need to make some moves and start doing some stuff, or else things like this are going to happen.

"At the end of the day, it's on us players to get it done. We feel like we let Buddy down a bit. So, hopefully, we can kick it up a notch and get it going."

Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt, who said prior to Saturday's 21-0 loss to the San Diego Padres that he was confident the club would turn things around, didn't blame Black for the team's underperformance.

"Buddy showed up every day with energy, work ethic - he's a professional," Schmidt said. "I have the utmost respect for Buddy Black and Mike Redmond, both those guys. As Buddy would tell you, it's part of the game and it happens.

"But we have to get better and move forward. We owe it to our fans to play better baseball."