Report: Pirates and Clint Hurdle agree to one-year extension
By Matt Shetler
It looked as if the Pittsburgh Pirates would be entering the 2013 season with a “lame-duck” manager as current skipper Clint Hurdle was on the final year of his original three-year contract.
But it looks as if the Bucs have taken care of that situation.
Feb 12, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle walks to the field during a workout session for spring training at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
The Tribune-Review’s Rob Biertempfel has reported that a source confirmed Hurdle will be re-signed through the 2014 season with an option for 2015. The official announcement is expected Wednesday, when owner Bob Nutting will visit spring training camp.
The timing is interesting considering that Hurdle has come off two consecutive second half collapses, but it is often a problem when the manager reaches lame-duck status.
Hurdle, 55, is 151-173 in two seasons with the Pirates. He was hired in November 2010 after managing the Colorado Rockies from 2002-09, where he had only one winning season (2007) in his 10-year managerial career.
However under Hurdle, the Pirates have increased their win total from 57 in 2010 to 72 in 2011 and 79 last year.
He is an extremely good motivator, but has proven not to be the best tactical manager we have ever seen.
The extension likely means that Hurdle’s seat isn’t as hot as maybe originally thought, but it will be interesting to see the Pirates stance if the Bucs come out of the gate very slow once again like they did a season ago.
Overall though I like the idea of an extension for Hurdle. He is good for this young team, but the time is now to win and he has to prove that he is the right man to get that done.