The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that they have hired Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle to become their new manager. Hurdle, who spent years as the Colorado Rockies manager, was only in Texas one year following Rudy Jaramillo's departure. The Rangers led the league in batting average, as well as sacrifice bunts and infield hits. Perhaps just as impressive were the Rangers stats on productive outs.
The Pirates, who lost 105 games in 2010, are getting a great guy to manage their young team. If they decide now is the time to commit to the young guys on their team and finally build around them, Hurdle will be integral in getting them to play as a team and have a positive attitude.
The Rangers will miss not having Clint Hurdle in 2010. If Ron Washington had been relieved of his job last year, I was hoping that Hurdle would have been chosen to take over the team. I really liked what he represented and brought to this team.
The Rangers have not announced who they will interview for the hitting coach vacancy, and Jon Daniels said that process will begin after the GM Meetings in Orlando this week. I'll be sure to write about the candidates when we know who the team is considering.
Congratulations Clint, thanks, and good luck.
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