Rockies owner Dick Monfort did not take center stage Monday at Coors Field Monday as Bud Black was introduced as the team’s new manager. As Black and general manager Jeff Bridich fielded questions, Monfort hung to the side, watching and listening.

Later, when Monfort was asked about the club’s hopes to be a playoff contender in 2017, he said, “Our payroll will be higher this year. It will be a record this year.”

According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Rockies’ 2016 payroll obligations for the 25-man roster on opening day was $112.6 million, 19th in the majors but the highest in franchise history. That figure, however, included the $15.6 million the club had to pay shortstop Jose Reyes, even though the Rockies released him. The Rockies will owe Reyes another $22 million in 2017.

Filling the staff. Black will not get to select all of his own coaches, and he said he’s OK with that. Bridich chose to retain pitching coach Steve Foster, bullpen coach Darren Holmes and third-base coach Stu Cole from former manager Walt Weiss’ staff.

“This was the same situation that happened in San Diego when I came there,” said Black, who managed the Padres from 2007 through June 2015. “We had a great relationship. And I know from talking with Jeff that his praise of Steve and Darren went a long way with me.”

As for filling out the rest of the staff, Black said: “It will be a collaborative effort between me and Jeff and other people involved. We talked about a number of names during the interview process and those will be discussed. I think that’s fair. I want to be inclusive and I want to share ideas.”

Did Holliday touch home? In Game 163 of the 2007 season, Black’s Padres led the Rockies by two runs entering the bottom of the 13th inning at Coors Field. But the Rockies scored three runs against Padres closer Trevor Hoffman to win 9-8, get into the playoffs and eventually make the World Series. The winning run scored on a sacrifice fly, with Matt Holliday diving onto home plate. But did Holliday actually touch the plate?

“Part of the interview was up in a suite, maybe Dick (Monfort’s) suite,” Black said with a wry smile. “There were pictures of Rockies history … and staring me right in the face was the Rockies dog pile of Holliday in the 163rd game.”

Then Black paused and said: “To this day, I don’t think he touched it.”