The end of an era happened this weekend in Pittsburgh when nine year veteran and 2013 NL Manager of the Year, Clint Hurdle was fired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clint Hurdle’s managerial record with the Pirates was 735-720 (.505) This news about the firing is especially shocking because news broke a few days ago that he would be staying as Pirates manager next year. After a 2nd half collapse this season, it was inevitable that change was going to happen. Pirates GM Neal Huntington made it very clear that Pirates management is on “shelf life” and every position will be reviewed to see if change needs to take place. Whoever the 2020 Pirates manager may be, he has big shoes to fit in considering Clint has done so much for Pittsburgh. For example, Hurdle fixed the twenty consecutive losing seasons with a trip to the 2013 MLB Playoffs. The new manager will also decide who is back up coaches are. Pitching coach Ray Searage and bench coach Tom Prince may also be on the way out this off season. The 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates coaching staff may look a lot different from years past.

Here is what GM Neal Huntington had to say about the hard decision

“We felt like this was a time to have a new voice, to have new leadership in that clubhouse,When you compare it to where we were before him, his tenure here should be celebrated. We didn’t get deep enough. We didn’t win a World Series. But we got back to the postseason.”

Here is the official statement from Pirates owner Bob Nutting

“While we felt it was time to make a change at the managerial level, I strongly believe that Neal Huntington and the leadership team that he has assembled are the right people to continue to lead our baseball operations department. This has easily been the most difficult season of my tenure. Today we announced that we are parting ways with Clint, but make no mistake about it, this is by no means a statement that our shortcomings are solely Clint’s fault. The entire organization is accountable and that begins with me.”

“Neal and his leadership team are well into an extensive review of every element of our baseball operations. In addition, as an organization, we need to improve in the ways we connect with our fans. It is very clear that we need to and will be better. There is no quick fix, but we are absolutely committed to the task. I believe we can and will achieve it.”

Hopefully Bob stays true to his words. He needs to realize, and I think he has, the Pirates are failing, big time. In my opinion, I blame the front office as well as the coaching staff for not being able to get the job done. Hopefully come next off season after the 2020 season is over, I can come on here and talk about the success of the Pirates. That can only happen if Bob Nutting stays true to his words and gets the job done. Who do you think will ultimately get the job as Pirates manager for 2020?