The Pittsburgh Pirates have fired manager Clint Hurdle. In his nine-year tenure as the Pirates skipper, he compiled a respectable 735-720 record. However, in 2019, the NL Central-worst Pirates currently hold a 69-92 record — the franchise’s worst since 2010 (57-105). The Pirates have missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons after three straight playoff appearances.
General manager Neal Huntington will remain in charge of the organization’s baseball operations, but the coaching staff will be determined by the incoming manager.
“Words cannot express how much respect and appreciation I have for Clint as a person and a leader,” Huntington said in a statement. “He was the right person at the right time to take on the enormous challenge of leading our Major League team out of an extended losing streak and piloting us to three straight postseason appearances. We will be forever grateful for his dedication to the Pirates organization on and off the field. This was an extremely difficult decision for us. As an organization, we believe it was time for a managerial change to introduce a new voice and new leadership inside the clubhouse.”
#Pirates firing manager Clint Hurdle, sources tell The Athletic. GM Neal Huntington will stay. Coaching staff to be determined by net manager.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2019
Pittsburgh Pirates Fire Clint Hurdle
Coming as a Surprise?
A recent report by the Athletic stated that Hurdle “recently received assurance from the organization” that he would return in the same role in 2020.
“My intent and desire is to manage this team next year,” Hurdle said during his postgame press conference after a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs last Wednesday night. “I don’t want anybody to misread, or I don’t want to misrepresent. I plan on being back. The conversations we have, [general manager Neal Huntington] and I, are planning for the future all along those ways.”
Leaving His Mark in Pittsburgh
Although Hurdle’s run in Pittsburgh is over, what he did in his time with the Pirates shouldn’t be overlooked. Hurdle leaves Pittsburgh ranked fourth all-time in wins in franchise history, trailing Fred Clarke (1,422), Danny Murtaugh (1,115) and Jim Leyland (851). Hurdle also brought Pittsburgh their first winning season in 21 years back in 2013 (94-68). As a result, he was named 2013 NL Manager of the Year.
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