Clint Hurdle's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 1975 MLB Draft. Known for his potential as a power hitter, Hurdle quickly rose through the minor league ranks, making his major league debut with the Royals in 1977. As an outfielder and first baseman, he showed promise early in his career, even earning a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1978, which highlighted him as a rising star in the sport.
During his time with the Royals, Hurdle played in the 1980 World Series, where the team faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. Although the Royals did not win the championship, participating in the World Series was a significant milestone in Hurdle's playing career. Over the next few years, he continued to play for the Royals, but injuries and inconsistency at the plate limited his performance.
In 1982, Hurdle was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent a brief period before moving on to the New York Mets in 1983. His tenure with the Mets was also short-lived, and he found himself with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986. Despite his early promise, Hurdle's playing career never quite reached the heights that many had anticipated. He retired as a player after the 1987 season, having spent parts of ten seasons in the major leagues.
Transitioning from player to coach, Hurdle began his coaching career in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills and developed a reputation for his ability to work with young players. His coaching career took a significant step forward when he joined the Colorado Rockies organization. In 1997, he was named the Rockies' hitting coach, a role in which he served for several years, helping to develop the team's offensive strategy.
Hurdle's managerial career began in earnest in 2002 when he was appointed as the manager of the Colorado Rockies. Under his leadership, the Rockies experienced a memorable season in 2007, when they won 14 of their final 15 games to secure a spot in the playoffs. The team continued their remarkable run by sweeping both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the National League pennant, earning a trip to the World Series. Although the Rockies were ultimately defeated by the Boston Red Sox, Hurdle's guidance during the 2007 season was widely recognized.
After parting ways with the Rockies in 2009, Hurdle took on the role of hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, contributing to their American League Championship in 2010. His success with the Rangers led to another managerial opportunity, this time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hurdle became the Pirates' manager in 2011, inheriting a team that had endured a long stretch of losing seasons.
Under Hurdle's management, the Pirates saw a resurgence. In 2013, the team achieved its first winning season in 20 years, finishing with a 94-68 record and earning a spot in the playoffs as a wild card team. The Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card Game, marking their first postseason victory since 1992. Hurdle's leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the franchise, and he was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2013.
Hurdle continued to manage the Pirates through the 2019 season, leading the team to additional playoff appearances in 2014 and 2015.
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