Clint Hurdle
Clint Hurdle
Clinton Merrick Hurdleis an American former professional baseball outfielder and current manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. Hurdle played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals, and has also managed for the Colorado Rockies...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth30 July 1957
CityBig Rapids, MI
behind catcher changed confidence dynamic good national plate skills
His confidence behind the plate is as good as any catcher in the National League. And he has the skills to match. He's changed the dynamic for us back there.
beauty ethic force humility needs next passion player unique work works
His humility, his work ethic and he has a unique passion for the game. And he's going to be what, 21 next month? So, he just needs to play, and we'll see how it works out. The beauty of any young player that can play is when they force your hand.
basically command entire hip stretch time
His hip wasn't a factor. His command was an issue. He basically pitched out of the stretch the entire time he was out there.
command deserves fastball innings normally pat pitcher run short statement
His fastball was short (Friday), and his command was mediocre. That being said, you're normally not able to make that statement and have a pitcher only give up one run in five-plus innings at Coors Field. So he deserves a pat on the back for that.
approach asked
His approach is much better. He's working at what we asked him to do, and he's having some success, which is all you can ask for.
check everywhere hit junior league might since
Skill. He's hit everywhere he's been. I don't think he's ever not hit. You might have to check Little League and junior high. Ever since we've had him, he's hit.
build half hope kidding nice road saw season second victory
That's a nice come-from-behind victory on the road for us. There's no kidding anybody. This is what we saw in the second half of the season and it's what we hope we can build on.
game good
That's as good a game you will see here as long as the place stays. That was top-shelf.
good plan
That's a pretty good plan to have and be able to execute.
couple job last spots
The last couple of times in those spots he hasn't been able to get the job done.
everybody guy hit mound swings today took
Their guy was really good. It wasn't anything else. Everybody that took the mound today was really good. They pitched well, hit their spots. We took our swings and didn't come up with anything.
april love momentum next
I love the momentum we are building. I know we are more comfortable than we were in April and I know we will be more comfortable next April than we are this September.
games score
I haven't managed many games with a score of 7-4 at the end of the first inning on the road, for us. So that was interesting.
four lucky played playoffs relish three
I played in the playoffs in three of my first four big-league seasons, ... but I haven't been to one since. I relish that opportunity. It doesn't come easy. You are not lucky when you get to that level.