game Saturday night. He had a goal and

DENVER -- Bud Black is taking his pitching expertise to hitter-friendly Coors Field.The highly regarded mound guru has been hired as manager of the Colorado Rockies, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday night because the move had not yet been announced.The Rockies scheduled a Monday news conference to introduce their new manager, but the release did not reveal the teams choice.Black takes over for Walt Weiss, who stepped down last month when his contract expired after four years in charge of the Rockies. They finished 75-87 last season, their best record since 2010.The 59-year-old Black managed the San Diego Padres for nearly nine seasons before he was fired in June 2015. He compiled a 649-713 record and was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2010 after the Padres went 90-72, their most wins since a franchise-record 98 in 1998.Washington nearly hired Black last year before contract talks broke down and the Nationals gave the job to Dusty Baker.After a major league career that spanned 15 seasons on the mound, Black became a respected pitching coach for the Angels. He brings a wealth of experience to a team thats long struggled to get outs in Denvers thin air a mile above sea level.Colorado had a 4.91 ERA this past season, tied with Cincinnati for 13th out of 15 National League teams. Arizona (5.09) was the only club that was worse.Yet the Rockies boast young talent in a starting rotation led by Jon Gray, the third overall pick in 2013 draft. Tyler Chatwood had the best road ERA (1.69) in the majors last season, while Chad Bettis and Tyler Anderson made big strides. The team will more than likely lose Jorge De La Rosa, the franchises all-time winningest pitcher, in free agency.One of the biggest challenges will be shoring up a shaky bullpen that blew 28 save chances in 2016. Colorado finished 24-36 in games decided by no more than two runs.Black was lauded for the way he ran bullpens with the Angels and Padres.On offense, Black inherits an NL batting champion in second baseman DJ LeMahieu, an all-around star in third baseman Nolan Arenado, an up-and-coming shortstop in Trevor Story and a feared hitter in outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.I like the group that we have, Arenado said after the final game of the season. I think we are close. But basically when I say that its for the fans. I want fans to know that so they dont lose hope. I feel bad. They come out every day, to see us lose the way we do sometimes.Arenado led the NL in RBI (133) and tied for the home run title with 41. He played stellar defense at third base again and could be in line for his fourth straight Gold Glove.Black spent a large portion of his career with Kansas City and was part of a Royals rotation that helped the team win the 1985 World Series. He won 121 games with Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland, San Francisco and Toronto.After his playing days, he became the pitching coach for the Angels and spent seven seasons under manager Mike Scioscia. Black helped the team to the 2002 World Series title before taking over the Padres heading into the 2007 season.Black rejoined the Angels as a special assistant to the general manager last November.China Jerseys For Sale . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Jerseys For Sale Outlet .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. https://www.jerseysforsalechina.com/ . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. Wholesale Jerseys For Sale . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Cheap Jerseys For Sale . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak.ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals have signed veteran Jordan Schafer and catchers Eric Fryer and Gabriel Lino to minor league contracts that include invitations to spring training.Schafer spent parts of six seasons playing in the outfield for the Braves, Astros and Twins before making the transition to pitcher. The left-hander went 1-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 40 appearances for the Dodgers organization last season, rising from their Arizona Summer League affiliate to Triple-A..ddddddddddddFryer appeared in a career high 60 games with St. Louis and Pittsburgh last season, while Lino had made 464 minor league appearances.St. Louis has also signed left-hander Daniel Schlereth, a former first-round pick of the Diamondbacks, and infielder Dickie Joe Thorn. Both with report to minor league camp for spring training. ' ' '