Surveyed Rockies fans approve of Bud Black despite poor 2019

Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send 30 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Rockies fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

We’ve been keeping track of SB Nation’s FanPulse surveys over the course of the season. For the most part, we’ve paid more attention to the weekly question about confidence in the overall direction of the team. The story over the past couple of months has been about plummeting confidence. In the most recent round, just 6% of surveyed fans expressed confidence in the team (see the chart at the top). That’s tied with the Cubs for second lowest among all fanbases and behind only the Pirates.

Interestingly, however, that lack of confidence doesn’t map onto a lack of confidence in Bud Black as manager. This weekly question asks: “Do you approve of the job Bud Black is doing as manager?” Black’s has never dipped below 60%, and in the latest poll, he sits at 65%. That’s not to say 65% is a ringing endorsement. It ranks 19th among all fanbases. Still, it’s interesting to note where the frustration is at. For instance, Clint Hurdle’s approval is at 6%, which mirrors the confidence in the direction of the Pirates.

The results further highlight a divide between the clubhouse and the front office. Purple Row’s Renee Dechert snapped this screenshot from a recent chat with Nick Groke of The Athletic:

It certainly feels like fans see this as well. There’s general approval of Black because he’s working with what he has, but there’s a lack of confidence in the front office to actually give it to him. This, it seems, is where we’re at as Rockies fans.