Black will manage Padres

The San Diego Padres found their new manager just up the freeway.

Bud Black was hired to replace Bruce Bochy, giving the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach his first major-league managing job.

And drastically reducing his commute.

Black lives in exclusive Rancho Santa Fe, just north of San Diego.

"Good dude," Padres great Tony Gwynn said Wednesday about his former teammate at San Diego State, where Gwynnskippers the Aztecs.

"He has been in the game a long time and really warrants this opportunity. I think he will do well."

Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson confirmed Black was offered the job and accepted it Tuesday night.

Alderson said the deal was still being finalized and wouldn't say how many years Black's contract is for.

Black will be introduced at the Padres awards banquet Thursday night.

"I think he is an individual with intellect as well as an instinctive feel for the game," Alderson said. "He understands what we're trying to accomplish here in San Diego, which is to win as well as develop players at the minor-league level.

"He just seemed to have the right package of qualities for us."

Black was not available for comment.