By Jordan Long
The Pittsburgh Pirates and manager Clint Hurdle agreed to a new extension. His current deal had a club option for 2018. With this new agreement, it will keep Hurdle in Pittsburgh through the 2021 season.
Hurdle has been the Pirates manager since 2011. In his 7 years, his combined record is 575-534, a winning percentage of .518. The Pirates have never won the National League Central Division
The postseason is what matters to Pittsburgh. Before hiring Hurdle the Pirates advanced to the playoffs 3 times, 1990, 1991, and 1992. After 1992, they failed to make the postseason for 21 years. With Hurdle, the Pirates made the playoffs 3 times as the Wild Card team but failed to make it past the National League Division Series.
This year they are destined to miss the postseason for the second straight year. They are 66-72, 9.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs for the National League Central lead and are 7.5 games behind the Colorado Rockies for the 2nd Wild Card spot.
The Pirates were quick to sign Hurdle. He has proven in past years he is capable of turning this team around. This season has been his worst during Hurdle’s time in Pittsburgh. With most franchises its’ “what have you done for me lately?” Lately he will miss the playoffs. The Pirates must think this is a bump in the road and Hurdle will find a way to get this team in the postseason for years to come.
The Pirates didn’t want to risk letting him go. Other Major League Baseball teams would want to hire him as manager because of his past. He has been able to take two teams to the playoffs, the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are hoping Hurdle is the manager who will lead this team to a World Series victory for the first time since 1979. Hopefully Hurdle will deliver a World Series win in the next 4 years.
What do you think of Pittsburgh agreeing to an extension with manager Clint Hurdle?
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