The Pirates might have hired Eric Wedge as their new manager. Or Phil Garner. But with other teams having taken the main candidates, these choices are basically no longer around.
The reason the Pirates didn’t make a move on the other candidates is because they seemed to prefer Clint Hurdle to the others. Fair enough. But the Pirates have (so far) been dilatory even with Hurdle.
Say whatever you like about him, but Hurdle is a “sportsman.” As a teenager, he defended his offensive coordinator who was blamed for a crucial loss that cost his team a chance at their “playoffs.” Hurdle inspires that kind of loyalty from his players as well.
Hurdle is a peculiarly suitable manager for “underdog” teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2007, he led the Colorado Rockies to the playoffs, and ultimately the World Series, with a season-ending 14-1 winning streak.
More recently, he was the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, another team that made it to the World Series this year. If the Pirates have playoff aspirations, this seems to be the man.
Hurdle’s background is in hitting, or offense, which will be a key element in any Pirates resurgence. They have much to do with their pitching, especially their rotation, but it has been hitting (or lack thereof), that has cost the Bucs the most games. In 2010, the Pirates were outscored by every team in the majors except the Seattle Mariners; that includes the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles.
Hurdle isn’t the manager for every team. But he is as good a fit for the struggling Pirates as any. It’s time for the Bucs to run with the one viable choice they have left, before some other team gets him.
The Pirates may get lucky with Hurdle. They may not. But if they don’t, it will be a lesson not to dawdle the next time around.
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