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
both dog match strong teams top
Do we look at Jason's three-plus years, or Cookie's two strong months? They both want to do it and that's good. They know they are going to match up with the top dog from the other teams more often than not, but they want to do it because they want the challenge. That's what you want to see in your pitchers.
again goals job rocking since
It's been one of my goals since I got this job to get this place rocking again and get it jammed with people.
couple job last spots
The last couple of times in those spots he hasn't been able to get the job done.
hurt pitches quality shows
It shows that if you don't make quality pitches you are going to be hurt at this level. After that one-out error, he never really recovered.
clear focused job pitch ready spot spring training
I don't want them to feel they have to pitch their way into the spot and that is what spring training is about. We need to get it out of the way, clear out any distractions and keep focused on the job at hand, getting ready for the season.
behind capable throwing
I think he's capable of throwing . . . 60-65 pitches. So if he can do that, he won't be behind by any means.
best easier
We weren't at our best offensively. Batista didn't make it any easier on us.
defense improving pride steal takes
His defense is continually improving and is something he takes a lot of pride in. Also he's going to steal some bases.
giving middle slow spring
Just giving him a rest, right in the middle of spring training. We just want to slow him down a little bit.
best games strung together
He's strung together probably two of the best games in the big leagues.
guy hard saw threw throwing
I saw a guy throwing hard but without a lot of command. It was hard to watch. We got to get him tightened up. He threw a lot of pitches.
against confidence defense gives guys hitting initiate last months people pitch run season solid teams three timely type
The confidence that comes from getting on any type of run gives you that confidence once you initiate that run again. We've got to pitch well, we've got to play solid defense and we've got to get timely hitting and execute, which is what we did for the last three months last season - with a lot of guys people didn't know against a lot of teams with some pretty big names.
both easier fastball game good hit sides split top worked
He hit his spots, had a good split and worked his fastball on both sides of the plate. We're not on top of our game offensively and he didn't make it any easier on us.
believe momentum patience position providing showing team
I do believe we are in this position by showing patience and providing opportunities during the season. I don't want to take away from any momentum the team has gained.