Warren Schaeffer Will Continue to Lead the Rockies in 2026
Warren Schaeffer, who took over as interim manager of the Colorado Rockies after Bud Black was fired, will continue to lead the team in the 2026 season. The announcement was made this Monday, marking a milestone for the franchise. Schaeffer, 40, was promoted from third base coach to manager after Black and bench coach Mike Redmond were dismissed on May 11, following a disastrous start to the season. With more than a decade in the Rockies organization, Schaeffer becomes the eighth full-time manager in club history. Despite the change, the Rockies’ performance did not improve, finishing with 119 losses, the most in the National League since the 1962 New York Mets recorded 120. In the National League West, the Rockies finished 50 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.General Manager Bill Schmidt was fired on October 1, and Executive Vice President Walker Monfort stated that Schmidt’s replacement would make the decision on the manager position for next season. The rotation of openers ended with an effectiveness of 6.65, the highest since the statistic became official in both leagues in 1913. The Rockies allowed 1,021 runs this season, the most since the 1996 Detroit Tigers conceded 1,103. Colorado had a run differential of minus 424, the worst since 1900, surpassing the minus 349 of the 1932 Boston Red Sox, and also the largest since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, with minus 724. The Rockies also recorded a franchise record of 18-63 as visitors, the worst mark in the league. Despite the challenges, there were some positives. Catcher Hunter Goodman had a standout season, batting .278, with 31 home runs and 91 RBIs. In addition, the Rockies featured 2024 Gold Glove winners, Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle. The team also selected Ethan Holliday with the fourth pick in the summer draft, and young prospects like outfielders Zac Veen and Yanquiel Fernandez, infielder Ryan Ritter and right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander, were called up and had their first experiences in the majors.We are confident that Warren is the right person to lead our club in the future. He has established strong relationships with our players, understands the culture of this franchise, and embodies the energy and work ethic we want on and off the field.
Paul DePodesta, new president of baseball operations
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading this team. My focus remains on continuing to build a strong and unified culture based on accountability, hard work, and trust. We have a group of guys who care deeply about competing the right way, and my goal is to continue strengthening those relationships while leading a team that our fans can be proud of.
Warren Schaeffer
