Sometimes it helps to "know people" and sometimes it really helps to "know people who know people". Credit for "Jamming in Five Questions, Clint Hurdle" goes to one of my best friends and definitely my favorite dek hockey line mate Andy Virostek. Andy has become a very good friend of Clint's and when I approached him with this favor he went right to work on helping me. I have assisted on approximately 1/3 of Andy's career goals, but today he gets this blogs biggest helper, the opportunity to ask the Bucco's skipper Five Questions!
Clint Hurdle has been central in putting baseball back in the limelight here in Pittsburgh. Yes, he has been aided by career(MVP) years from Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison, steady play from Neal Walker, the leadership of Russell Martin, a roster full of likeable and exciting players, and pitching performances from the likes of AJ Burnett, Garrett Cole, Vance Worley, Francisco Liriano, and Edison Volquez, but someone has to steer the ship.
Clint Hurdle and his staff have made baseball fun in Pittsburgh again, so we are honored that he took the time to pick off our "Five Questions"!
Clint Hurdle
Current Location-35,000 feet. Flying to Anna Marie Island
Team-Pittsburgh Pirates
Position-Manager
First the main thing everyone in Pittsburgh wants to know.
How is the hip? Are you on track and what has the rehab been like?
6+ weeks post surgery. All the pain is gone. Rehab is challenging. Had
to learn how to walk properly again .
Coaches and Managers all have different styles. Who was your biggest influence?
Whitey Herzog and Davey Johnson
It has to be a point of pride being a central part of turning the Pirates fortunes around!
Tell us what that means to you...
It is quite humbling to be a small part
of a group of people who were able
to rebond a City with its ball team.
Baseball can be a funny sport! When was the last time you said "I can't believe that just happened"?
Watching Josh Harrison steal two
bases on one play last year.
It must have hurt to make that long walk out to the mound last year. What are the biggest factors and who has the most influence in making pitching changes?
Pitch count?
Pitching coach?
The Catcher?
Lack of velocity and/or movement?
Left/Right handed situation?
Scouting Report?
The Pitcher?
All the above are important at different times. All pitching changes fall on the shoulders of the Manager. As well as what my eyes are telling me and what the opponents swings
are showing us.
Bonus Question:
At one time in your young career you were tabbed as a phenom...
What advice would you give a kid in similar circumstances to remain balanced and level headed, and how can their parents help in this regard?
Don't try and please everyone. Parents can always provide tremendous support. At times they need to step aside as well. Plug into your passion and don't compare yourself to anyone else. Be the absolute best that you can be.
All of the subjects of "Five Questions" have been special, but getting to ask Clint "5?s" is a real honor because of what he has done for the sports scene here in Pittsburgh and because of his reputation as a really great guy. Pittsburgh loves Clint Hurdle! Thanks for taking the time to participate. Good luck in your rehab and for the upcoming season!
Raise the Jolly Roger!!!
