San Diego ? 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,” Tony Gwynn said Wednesday about his former teammate at San Diego State. “He’s been in the game a long time and really warrants this opportunity. I think he’ll do well.”

Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said 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 tonight.

“I think he’s 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.

The 49-year-old Black has been the Angels’ pitching coach for the last seven seasons, including when they won the World Series in 2002. He pitched in the big leagues for 15 seasons, helping the Kansas City Royals win the 1985 World Series.

“I think that Buddy’s baseball knowledge and ability to communicate have made him so coveted the past couple of years,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He not only has a great understanding of the pitching side, but a grasp of the fundamental side of baseball that every team needs to be successful.”

Black was 121-116 with a 3.84 earned-run average during his career, pitching for Seattle, Kansas City, Cleveland, Toronto and San Francisco.