Padres players call firing of manager Bud Black 'shocking'

Bud Black's nine-year tenure in San Diego ended unceremoniously on Monday.

Following a disappointing start to a season accompanied by high expectations, the Padres relieved Black of his duties Monday afternoon, installing bench coach Dave Roberts as interim manager while they search for a permanent replacement.

"(It's) something we've been talking about or thinking about for the last two weeks," general manager A.J. Preller told reporters Monday, noting he had been bothered by the club's inconsistencies this season. "Unexpected as far as the way the stars have performed."

Black survived Preller's radical offseason overhaul - the newly hired executive acquired Matt Kemp, Craig Kimbrel, Wil Myers, and James Shields (among others) this winter - and was entrusted with leading San Diego back to relevance after four straight losing seasons.

Initially, the Padres' revamped roster seemed poised to contend for a playoff spot after storming out to a 10-5 record. Shortly thereafter, however, a prolonged offensive slump and some porous defense negated much of the enthusiasm generated through the first weeks of the season. The Padres have stumbled to a 22-28 record since April 15.

Upton was among several players to express shock over Monday's announcement. Courtesy of UT San Diego:

I think the guys took it tough, including myself. We felt that Buddy was doing a pretty good job here with the new team and getting us to jell. You know, obviously, the front office saw it differently. It was definitely shocking, coming off a pretty good stretch of winning, and playing a tough series where a couple pitches could have changed, and a couple plays could have changed.

Preller conceded Monday that once he knew Black wouldn't be his choice for manager next season, he thought it was important to let him go. "We still have a lot of good baseball left to be played," he said.

Black, who took over as manager in 2007, compiled a 649-713 record (.477) during his tenure with the Padres. The 57-year-old earned the National League's Manager of the Year award in 2010 after leading the Padres to a 90-72 record.