Pirates Fire Manager Clint Hurdle

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was fired Sunday after nine seasons, the club announced shortly before the team's season-ending game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park.

“Words cannot express how much respect and appreciation I have for Clint as a person and a leader," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, who dismissed Hurdle, 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.”

Huntington added: “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. This has been a challenging season on many levels. We are committed to assessing and improving upon our operations at all levels in order to return Postseason baseball to Pittsburgh.”

Hurdle, 62, has managed the Pirates since November 2010. He posted a 735-720-1 record in his nine seasons with the Pirates. He finished his Pirates career fourth all-time in wins, behind
Fred Clarke (1,422 wins), Danny Murtaugh (1,115) and Jim Leyland (851).

“I have a great deal of appreciation for everything Clint has done for the Pittsburgh Pirates and our community.," Pirates owner Bob Nutting said in a statement.

"Clint is not only a great baseball man, he is a great family man. His leadership, inspiration, advice and friendship has helped make me a better person, as he has for so many others. It has been an honor to work with him for the past nine seasons."