Pirates manager Clint Hurdle celebrates clinching an NL playoff berth after Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Spotlight on …
Clint Hurdle, manager, Pirates
What’s up: Hurdle has always been the biggest man in the room. His physical stature, booming voice, candor and take-on-the-world demeanor make him a leader. So it’s hard to think of Hurdle as vulnerable. And it was a bit shocking to see Hurdle limping to the mound last week in Atlanta to make a pitching change. I already knew Hurdle was in pain and needed hip-replacement surgery at the end of the season, but I didn’t realize how much pain he’s been in.
Background: Hurdle, who led the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, has the Pirates in the postseason for a second consecutive season. He was named National League manager of the year in 2013 and could win it again this year, although the Nationals’ Matt Williams is probably the favorite.
Saunders’ take: Hurdle is an emotional man with a huge heart. That was never more clear than Tuesday night in Atlanta when Pittsburgh’s players swarmed into their clubhouse at Turner Field to celebrate their playoff clincher. Champagne corks were primed for popping — until the players realized that Hurdle wasn’t there yet. So they waited until the limping Hurdle arrived in the clubhouse, then they put him in the middle of the celebration and started spraying champagne. “They weren’t going to start until I got there,” Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “That blows me away and humbles me. I was going to be the recipient of all their madness. Once I got in the middle, they wanted to start spraying and they wanted to hop. So I gave them what they wanted.” Congratulations to one of baseball’s best men.
Tags: Clint Hurdle, National League, Pirates, Rockies, Spotlight
