Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (3-1) take on the St. Louis Cardinals (2-2) in game 2 of this weekend 3-game series. Francisco Liriano (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season against Joe Kelly (10-5, 2.69 ERA in 2013).
Hurdle, Huntington receive contract extensions
It was announced today that GM Neal Huntington and Manager Clint Hurdle were given contract extensions for three years, with club options for the 2018 season.
“It’s a really good decision,” said Owner Bob Nutting. “As you all know, I really believe a cohesive team, a stable team and a group that’s able to think over the long-term is always going to be in the best interest of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I love both these guys.”
Nutting commended Hurdle on his leadership and ability to bring back a winning atmosphere to Pittsburgh.
“When you look at the leadership, the culture, the tone that Clint’s been able to bring to the team, really has raised the bar of the organization and raised the bar for the city and to be able to reward that and celebrate it I think is important.”
Nutting also praised the job Huntington has had on turning the developmental system into the best in baseball.
“When you look at the impact Neal has had on the organization weather it’s going back to the amateur draft,” said Nutting. “Weather it’s the impact on the international signings. To be able to create success, those are long-term decisions and he deserves to have the confidence and the comfort that he’s going to be able to see his next tier of decisions to play out over the long-term.”
For Neal Huntington, the extension doesn’t change any way he goes about his everyday operations.
“It really won’t impact the way we do things,” said Huntington. “Having one year, having two years, having three years. It hasn’t impacted in the past and I don’t anticipate it will impact going forward. We’re hungry, we’re hungrier than ever to keep this organization moving forward and we have people that are committed to each other and to this group, to this fan base, to this ownership, to this business operation, to this baseball operation to keep growing and to keep getting better and weather we’re in the last day or we have a 50-year contract, I don’t think that won’t impact how we operate.”
Hurdle appreciates the confidence shown by management and the commitment to the players that they will have a manager to count on for the next four-plus years.
“I think it does speak to continuity and commitment and one thing you always have to plan for is change and, at least, these are two areas where they don’t have to plan for any change and I think it settles the landscape,” said Hurdle. “I know I’m honored and humbled to be given an opportunity to continue on a mission and a vision with the men that are in place with Bob and with Frank and with Neal. It started three years ago and we’ve grown together, we’ve grown individually. There’s a complete transparency and respect professionally and personally, so there’s no place I’d rather be and I’m humbled to be given this opportunity to continue on the significant work that’s ahead of us.”
Tonight’s Lineups
First pitch is set for 7:05
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(Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
