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Nick Soulis · 07-17-2025, 11:37 PM

🎙️ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Bud Black on the 2013 Padres’ Red-Hot Start in The Excellence Project

BNN Insider: Coach Black, thanks for taking the time. Let’s start with the obvious — your 2013 Padres are 17-5, the best record across Season 8 so far. Did you see this coming?

Bud Black:
Well, first off — thanks for having me. I’d be lying if I said 17-5 was expected, but I’ll tell you what — we came into this thing confident. This group, back in 2013, we were often overlooked. But in this tournament, where every team is trying to prove something from history, that chip on our shoulder’s gotten even bigger. These guys came ready to play, and they’re showing it.

BNN Insider: What’s been the key so far? You’ve won 10 straight at one point, and your pitching has been lights out.

Bud Black:
It starts on the mound. Our starters — Eric Stults, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross — they’re giving us a chance to win every night. And our bullpen? Luke Gregerson, Dale Thayer, Joe Thatcher, they’re pounding the zone. We’re not giving up free passes, and we’re making the other team earn everything. That’s our DNA — pitching, defense, situational hitting.

BNN Insider: Let’s talk offense. A lot of people didn’t expect much pop from this Padres lineup, but Carlos Quentin and Chase Headley are delivering.

Bud Black:
Absolutely. Carlos is just barreling balls. He’s got that uppercut swing and he’s seeing the ball really well right now. And Chase, I mean, he’s the glue guy. He’s our quiet leader. Doesn’t always get the headlines, but he’s driving in runs, working deep counts, playing Gold Glove defense at third. When those two are locked in, we’re dangerous.

BNN Insider: You’ve played some strong clubs already — the ’69 Giants, ’05 Astros — and handled them well. Is this team built to go the distance?

Bud Black:
We like to think so. It’s a long tournament, and things will tighten up. But we’ve got depth, we’ve got arms, and most importantly — we’ve got belief. The guys in that clubhouse believe they belong here with the best. That’s half the battle.

BNN Insider: What’s the message you’re sending to the club now that you're the hunted instead of the hunter?

Bud Black:
Stay humble. Stay hungry. We respect every team in this tournament — whether it’s the 1913 Pirates or the '94 Tigers. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day, especially with the arms we’re seeing. So the focus is one game at a time. Don’t read the press clippings — just keep grinding.

BNN Insider: Any player that’s surprised even you so far?

Bud Black:
Honestly? Yonder Alonso. He’s not putting up huge numbers, but the quality of his at-bats has been phenomenal. Taking pitches, fouling stuff off, wearing pitchers down. That stuff doesn’t show up on the scoreboard but it makes a difference. And Everth Cabrera is creating havoc on the basepaths — just what we need at the top of the order.

BNN Insider: Last one for you — if you had to pick one word to describe this team through April, what would it be?

Bud Black:
Resilient. Doesn’t matter if we’re down two or tied in the ninth, these guys believe they’re going to find a way. And more often than not so far, they have.

BNN Insider: Coach, thanks for the insight and best of luck as the season rolls on.

Bud Black:
Appreciate it. Go Pads!

07-17-2025, 11:37 PM	#92
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,399	🎙️ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Bud Black on the 2013 Padres’ Red-Hot Start in The Excellence Project BNN Insider: Coach Black, thanks for taking the time. Let’s start with the obvious — your 2013 Padres are 17-5, the best record across Season 8 so far. Did you see this coming? Bud Black: Well, first off — thanks for having me. I’d be lying if I said 17-5 was expected, but I’ll tell you what — we came into this thing confident. This group, back in 2013, we were often overlooked. But in this tournament, where every team is trying to prove something from history, that chip on our shoulder’s gotten even bigger. These guys came ready to play, and they’re showing it. BNN Insider: What’s been the key so far? You’ve won 10 straight at one point, and your pitching has been lights out. Bud Black: It starts on the mound. Our starters — Eric Stults, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross — they’re giving us a chance to win every night. And our bullpen? Luke Gregerson, Dale Thayer, Joe Thatcher, they’re pounding the zone. We’re not giving up free passes, and we’re making the other team earn everything. That’s our DNA — pitching, defense, situational hitting. BNN Insider: Let’s talk offense. A lot of people didn’t expect much pop from this Padres lineup, but Carlos Quentin and Chase Headley are delivering. Bud Black: Absolutely. Carlos is just barreling balls. He’s got that uppercut swing and he’s seeing the ball really well right now. And Chase, I mean, he’s the glue guy. He’s our quiet leader. Doesn’t always get the headlines, but he’s driving in runs, working deep counts, playing Gold Glove defense at third. When those two are locked in, we’re dangerous. BNN Insider: You’ve played some strong clubs already — the ’69 Giants, ’05 Astros — and handled them well. Is this team built to go the distance? Bud Black: We like to think so. It’s a long tournament, and things will tighten up. But we’ve got depth, we’ve got arms, and most importantly — we’ve got belief. The guys in that clubhouse believe they belong here with the best. That’s half the battle. BNN Insider: What’s the message you’re sending to the club now that you're the hunted instead of the hunter? Bud Black: Stay humble. Stay hungry. We respect every team in this tournament — whether it’s the 1913 Pirates or the '94 Tigers. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day, especially with the arms we’re seeing. So the focus is one game at a time. Don’t read the press clippings — just keep grinding. BNN Insider: Any player that’s surprised even you so far? Bud Black: Honestly? Yonder Alonso. He’s not putting up huge numbers, but the quality of his at-bats has been phenomenal. Taking pitches, fouling stuff off, wearing pitchers down. That stuff doesn’t show up on the scoreboard but it makes a difference. And Everth Cabrera is creating havoc on the basepaths — just what we need at the top of the order. BNN Insider: Last one for you — if you had to pick one word to describe this team through April, what would it be? Bud Black: Resilient. Doesn’t matter if we’re down two or tied in the ninth, these guys believe they’re going to find a way. And more often than not so far, they have. BNN Insider: Coach, thanks for the insight and best of luck as the season rolls on. Bud Black: Appreciate it. Go Pads!