Clint Hurdle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Clint Hurdle | ||
|---|---|---|
| Outfielder, Manager | ||
| Born: July 30 1957 | Batted: Left | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | ||
| September 18, 1977 for the Kansas City Royals | ||
| Final game | ||
| June 26, 1987 for the New York Mets | ||
| Career statistics | ||
| Batting average | .259 | |
| Home runs | 32 | |
| RBI's | 193 | |
| Teams | ||
|
As Player
As Manager
| ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
Clinton Merrick Hurdle (born July 30, 1957 in Big Rapids, Michigan) is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball and the current manager of the 2007 National League Champion Colorado Rockies, having held that position since April 26, 2002.
Contents |
[edit] Personal life
Clint is named for his father, Clinton Sr., who played collegiate baseball for Ferris State University. When Clint was 4 years old, the family moved from Michigan to Florida so Clint Sr. could take a job at the Kennedy Space Center.[1] Clint is a 1975 graduate of Merritt Island High School in Merritt Island, Florida.
Hurdle is married with three children, a daughter with Prader-Willi Syndrome and a son, and a daughter from a previous marriage.[2]
[edit] Baseball career
After being selected by the Kansas City Royals with the 9th pick of the first round in the 1975 amateur draft, Hurdle played for the Royals from 1977 to 1981, but never achieved the level of play suggested by his high draft position. Playing regularly only in 1978 and 1980, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in December 1981, and after spending 1982 with the Reds, went on waviers to join the New York Mets (1983, 1985) and St. Louis Cardinals (1986) before ending his career with the Mets in 1987. Hurdle had been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1978 as that year's "phenom." Throughout his career, he also played first base, third base, catcher and designated hitter.
Hurdle began his managerial career the next year, when he was named Manager of the A St. Lucie Mets in 1988. He also served as Manager for the AA Jackson Mets (1990-1991), and the AAA Tidewater/Norfolk Tides (1992-1993). In 1994 he joined the Colorado Rockies organization as the minor league hitting instructor; serving in that capacity until he was named the Rockies hitting coach in 1997. Hurdle was promoted to Manager in 2002 following the early-season firing of Buddy Bell.
On April 2, 2006 he was given a two year contract extension.[3] In June 2006, Hurdle and the Rockies' front office were cited by USA Today as promoting a "Christian-based" atmosphere and guidelines.[4]
[edit] Best Finish Ever
In 2007, Hurdle managed Colorado to their best finish ever in the team's 15-year history by winning the last 14 out of 15 games in order to force a tie-breaker game with the San Diego Padres to determine the winner of the National League Wild Card. Colorado defeated San Diego, reaching the playoffs for only the second time in Rockies history. Hurdle's Rockies beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series, sweeping them in three games to force a match up with their rival Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS. The Rockies continued their improbable streak by sweeping Arizona in four games to win the first pennant in team history and reach the 2007 World Series. In the World Series, Colorado faced the Boston Red Sox. The Rockies lost for the first time in the 2007 postseason in game one and was ultimately swept in four games.
[edit] Coaching Record by Team
| Team | Years | Record | Postseason Record |
| Colorado Rockies | 2002-present | 444-509 | 7-4 |
[edit] See also
- List of Major League Baseball managers in 2006
- List of Major League Baseball managers in 2007
- List of Major League Baseball managers in 2008
[edit] References
- ^ Arangue, Jorge. "From rocky past to Rockies success", 2007-10-23. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ Michaelis, Vicki. "Clint Hurdle balances family concerns with baseball", 2007-09-12. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ^ Harding, Thomas. "O'Dowd, Hurdle extended for two years", 2007-04-07. Retrieved on 2007-04-19.
- ^ Nightengale, Bob. "Baseball's Rockies seek revival on two levels", 2006-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
[edit] External links
- Colorado Rockies.com Bio
- Baseball-Reference.com Career playing statistics
- Baseball-Reference.com Managerial record
| Preceded by Buddy Bell | Colorado Rockies Manager April 26, 2002- | Succeeded by incumbent |
Colorado Rockies managers |
|---|
| Baylor • Leyland • Bell • Hurdle |
| Current Major League Baseball managers | ||
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
| EAST DIVISION
47 Trembley (Baltimore) | CENTRAL DIVISION
13 Guillén (Chi. White Sox) | WEST DIVISION
14 Scioscia (L.A. Angels) |
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | ||
| EAST DIVISION
6 Cox (Atlanta) | CENTRAL DIVISION
41 Piniella (Chi. Cubs)
| WEST DIVISION
3 Melvin (Arizona) |
