Backin' Black -- New manager's approach a hit so far with players

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:47 PM PDT ∞

Padres manager Bud Black.
HAYNE PALMOUR IV Staff Photographer
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Brian Giles prefers hitting in the middle of the Padres' lineup. It's a spot he's become customary to after slugging 261 home runs over 13 years in the majors.

But when Giles returned to the Padres' lineup after a 34-game layoff, he found himself in a position he hadn't been for almost 10 years ---- hitting leadoff.

Ask Giles about the change and he'll tell you he's not comfortable. He's not uncomfortable, either. When asked which way he felt, Giles jokingly replied "tan."

But like the switch or not, Giles accepts it. He's willing to do so because he and first-year manager Bud Black have talked about it since spring training.

Though Black assumed a delicate situation following the departure of popular manager Bruce Bochy, he has made his mark on the Padres after only 87 games.

He's brought an open, relaxed, yet tell-it-like-it-is attitude on board with him, one that his charges appreciate. It's an approach that will continues tonight when the visiting Padres begin the second half against the Diamondbacks.

"I think he's pretty up front with you," Giles said. "But you'd much rather hear that. It might hurt your feelings at times but you always want to hear the truth, especially in this game. He's done a good job of being honest, and because of that communication, it makes everybody feel like you're a team."

With Bochy departing for San Francisco, because he felt he had to, Black knew he was entering a touchy scenario. He knew a my-way-or-the-highway attitude wouldn't cut it.

Instead, Black solicited information from every source he could think of. He talked to friends in other organizations about new players. He spoke with his coaching staff. And he approached his players in a timely fashion to give them a sense of himself, while trying to and figure them out, too.

"That's sort of a product of who I am more than anything," Black said. "Going back to my days as a young player I was always one to talk to about the game, to talk to teammates, coaches. That's just who I am."

First baseman Adrian Gonzalez gave his new manager an A-plus on his first-half report card. He likes knowing what Black is thinking and appreciates Black's open-door policy.

"I have zero complaints," Gonzalez said. "He's done an unbelievable job stepping in. He keeps communicating with us and we know what he's thinking. He' s open. Right now for him it's a new experience and he's getting as much input as he can get."

While fresh, Black said he hasn't felt overwhelmed.

He's been a candidate for managerial positions since the Anaheim Angels won the 2002 World Series. Since, he's prepared for the possibility of taking over the reins of his own team.

"Nothing has caught me by surprise," Black said. "I feel as thought I've been observant enough over the life of my career to be prepared for this, especially the last number of years watching Mike (Scioscia) and talking to other managers knowing that if this opportunity arose I'd be ready for it.

"I was ready this offseason. Until that point I felt as though I wasn't ready."

According to Giles, that includes being prepared for the tough times.

Like sticking with struggling rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff, who couldn't hit a lick in April ---- because Black knew he could turn it around.

Or helping Giles' transition from being a middle-of-the-lineup hitter to a top-of-the-lineup guy because he believes it's best for the team.

"What's good about him is he's been through it," Giles said. "So far he hasn't forgotten about how tough this game can be. You don't see him riding that roller coaster.

"This isn't a sport you play once a week. You do this every day and you're going to go through some tough times. It's very easy to be negative in this game but he's been so positive with everybody. He's kept loose when things aren't going good, and you feel like he trusts you. He's getting the most out of the talent in this room."

Black appreciates hearing that his players believe in his system. But he isn't just hearing it, he's seeing it as the team posted a National League-best 49-38 mark in the first half. That's despite an offense that is 11th of 16 teams in the NL in runs scored.

So on he'll go with his approach.

"It's important to keep the dialogue fresh," Black said, "and inform the players and for them to inform me about how they're feeling. And in my regard to let them know how I think they're doing, what I expect and what I continue to expect. I think that works for people." �

Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.