Padres Pick up Bud Black’s Club Options

Padres players can have some satisfaction knowing that they will be playing for manager Bud Black for the next three seasons. On Monday, the team announced that it has exercised Black’s 2014 and 2015 club options. He was already under contract for the 2013 season.

The move comes on the heels of the December 3 winter meetings, where the Padres are expected to acquire a starting pitcher.

Sep 10, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bud Black (20) reacts during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Black,55, is the 16th manager in club history, and the team’s second longest tenured manager behind San Francisco Giants manager and two-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy.

2013 will ring in Black’s seventh season with the Friars, in six seasons as the team’s manager Black has amassed a 464- 509 managerial record, and was named the 2010 National League’s Manager of the Year by the National Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

“Buddy has a keen insight into team dynamics and creates a great environment for the players and coaching staff,” Padres General Manager Josh Byrnes said in a press release. “He is a gifted leader with a terrific mind for the game and a genuine interest and curiosity related to all areas of our organization.”

Last season the Padres finished in fourth place in the N.L. West with  a 76-86 record, under the guidance of Black.

Black said he is appreciative of the Padres for picking up his club options.

“I am honored and humbled by the faith Josh and our ownership team have shown in me, the coaching staff and our players,” Black said in a statement.

"“I am extremely proud of this organization, and I’m excited to continue working with ownership and our baseball operations team toward achieving our ultimate goal: bringing a championship to the great city and fans of San Diego.”"

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this move by the Padres.  This establishes continuity with the team. The players know who they will be playing for and won’t worry about playing to keep Black’s job.

Buddy is also a great teacher. He doesn’t scold his  players, but is stern when he needs to be. The players respect Black and always give him there all.

What I really like about Black, is that he always understood the Padres economic situation and  never complained about it.

Now, lets go out and help Black achieve the ultimate goal.

All right Padres fans, let us know in the comments below what you think of Buddy Black being the Padres manager for the next three years.