Padres Pick Up Black's Option

PEORIA, Arizona (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres on Tuesday exercised their 2009 contract option on manager Bud Black, who last season guided the team to its best record in nearly a decade.

Black, 50, made his managerial debut with the Padres last year and posted an 89-74 record. The 89 wins were the most for San Diego since it won a club-record 98 games in 1998. The Padres were in position to clinch a postseason berth but lost their final two games to the Milwaukee Brewers. That forced a one-game playoff with the Colorado Rockies for the National League wild card, which San Diego also lost, 9-8, in 13 innings.

"While we exercised Buddy's option for next year, we believe that he will continue to grow and develop as a major league manager for years to come," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "He has exceeded our expectations and we are excited for the future of the Padres under his guidance." After seven seasons as the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Black was hired as the 16th manager in Padres' history on November 9, 2006.

"When the San Diego Padres hired Bud Black as manager, we knew of his knowledge and passion for the game," Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said. "His ability to communicate, teach and lead are tremendous. Buddy's passion and energy are contagious." Black pitched 15 years in the major leagues with five teams, posting a career mark of 121-116. He was a member of the Kansas Royals' World Series-winning team in 1985.