Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Clint Hurdle And Neal Huntington To Contract Extensions

April 1, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (center) receives his 2012 silver slugger award from Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neil Huntington (left) and his 2012 Rawlings gold glove from Jerry Williams (right) before the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In a move that should surprise no one, the Pittsburgh Pirates have given extensions to manager Clint Hurdle and general manager Neal Huntington.

According to the Pirates’ website, Hurdle and Huntington now are signed through 2017 with a 2018 club option. During the announcement by Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed his gratitude towards both men.

“We are extremely pleased that they will continue to lead this team in Pittsburgh,” Coonelly said.

Under Huntington, who took over in late 2007, the Pirates have risen from 57 wins in 2010 to 94 and a playoff berth last season. Hurdle came aboard in 2011, and the team has responded to his brand of energetic leadership.

Pirates chairman Bob Nutting went in depth with his praise: “I have a tremendous amount of personal respect and appreciation for the impact that Neal, Clint and their staffs have had on our organization. My expectation has been and remains that they, led by Frank, will continue to play a lead role in our success for years to come.”

This seems like the right move to make as the recent success of the Pirates has fans thinking about the teams of the early 1990s. Time will tell if this generation of Pirates can live up to those expectations, but for now, the morale of Bucco fans is high.