Hurdle to remain Pirates skipper for 2020
Despite a disappointing and tumultuous season, Clint Hurdle will remain manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020.
Hurdle said Wednesday he's been assured by the organization that they would keep him for a 10th campaign, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic.
Entering Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs, the Pirates owned a 66-91 record. Only the Miami Marlins (55-102) have a worse season in the National League.
"We had a nice season last year. We had some optimism," Hurdle said. "This year has been a punch-back. You hope - just because of the athletic competitor and fighter in you - you’ll have every opportunity to push back through this with the group, a large group of men that will be back, with ownership and (team president) Frank (Coonelly), to do it together.
"Because the goal hasn’t changed. I’m still of the mindset that the goal is to win a World Series. I’d love to win a World Series ring before I no longer am in uniform. That hourglass has been flipped over. I’m 62. You know? I have more than enough left in me to fulfill the contract, if that works out, to manage another two seasons. That’s not even a question in my mind."
Hurdle and Pirates general manager Neal Huntington have two years remaining on their current contracts.
In addition to losing, the Pirates have battled through injuries to ace right-hander Jameson Taillon, infighting within the roster, and closer Felipe Vazquez's arrest.
After making the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2013-15, the Pirates will miss the postseason for the fourth straight year.