Rockies players admit they 'weren't very competitive' under Bud Black
Although the Rockies are still on track to lose the most games in a single MLB campaign, Colorado players believe things have improved since Bud Black was relieved of his duties nearly a month ago.
"The start of the year was tough, if we're being honest about it," left-hander Austin Gomber said, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
"We weren't very competitive. Since (interim manager Warren Schaeffer) has taken over, we're pretty much in every game. But it's not going our way. It's easier to keep the attitude positive. I know we're competing every night. At the beginning of the year, that wasn't the case."
The Rockies are on pace for 130 losses, nine more than the Chicago White Sox record 121 defeats last season. However, they're 5-17 under Schaeffer after going 7-33 under Black.
Colorado still remains near the bottom of the league in a number of offensive, defensive, and pitching categories, but there have been improvements in some areas, such as an improved team ERA. As a result, the team is in more close games and has a less glaring run differential.
The Rockies also completed their first series sweep in more than a year Wednesday.
The clubhouse has been in a better spot as well, according to players like Tyler Freeman, who spent last season in a winning environment in Cleveland before coming to Colorado in a March trade.
"We treat every day as a new day," Freeman said. "It's tough to look at the record right now. But everyone is working hard. We come in looking to win. The results haven't shown, but we have to stay patient.
"If we take a look at the beginning of the year to now, it's way different. I think we've turned a corner."
Denver native Kyle Freeland, who's spent his entire career with the Rockies, credited the veteran members of the team for keeping things positive during the disastrous season. He's focused on helping develop the future of the team instead of thinking about the losses.
"You can't be mailing it in right now or closing up shop. We have a lot of learning to do as a team, with a lot of young guys doing that learning," Freeland said. "Us veterans have to keep the attitude of the team in the right spot."
The Rockies have an off-day Thursday before starting a three-game series at home against the first-place Mets.