Clint Hurdle
I’ve been lucky to cover a lot of baseball in my life, but there’s something different about sitting down with Clint Hurdle. Maybe it’s the stories. Maybe it’s the heart. Maybe it’s that I still get chills hearing him say “flush it.” In this interview, Clint opens up about everything—from managing in the World Series to honoring the exit after getting fired. We laughed, we got real, and yes, I may have fumbled a few follow-ups like the seasoned pro I am (eh, sort of). But this one? This one’s special. You’re going to want to read every word.
Robby Incmikoski: It’s been five years since you were a big-league manager. What’s life like now, watching baseball from a distance?
Clint Hurdle: There are days I watch with purpose, like when I was managing, focusing on player setups, reactions, or defensive positioning. Other times, I just enjoy it. The difference now is there’s no consequence at the end of the night—it’s more enjoyable. Back then, the games lingered in your mind, but I was good at "flushing it." Now, it’s a cleaner mental experience.
Robby Incmikoski: Can you explain “flushing it” for fans?
Clint Hurdle: It’s about letting go of the game—good or bad—for your mental health and your family. I’d verbally remind myself when I got home, “You’re not the manager anymore.” I needed to be present as a husband and father. I also wrote about “showering well” in my book, Hurdleisms. It means washing off the day, letting it go, and focusing on being home.
Robby Incmikoski: What’s it like when your team collapses late in a game?
Clint Hurdle: Losing one inning after leading for eight is one of the hardest parts of baseball. Nobody feels worse than the pitcher who gave it up. As a manager, you have to move forward and help them rebuild their confidence.
I also leaned on humor. After a tough loss, reporters would ask how I slept. I’d say, “Like a baby—woke up every two hours crying and rocked myself back to sleep.”
Robby Incmikoski: And the wins, like walk-offs?
Clint Hurdle: They’re electric. In Pittsburgh, during the 2013–2015 run, we had so many different heroes. Seeing players celebrate each other’s success like it was their own is what makes baseball special.
Kyle Fager: What’s your favorite moment from managing the Pirates and Rockies?
Clint Hurdle: For the Pirates, it’s the “Blackout Game.” After 20 years of losing seasons, winning that playoff game in front of a packed, blackout crowd was pure joy. Families—parents, kids, grandparents—shared that moment together.
For the Rockies, it’s Matt Holliday’s slide in the 2007 tiebreaker against the Padres. Winning 21 of 22 games to make the playoffs was surreal. Holliday’s slide at home felt like the stadium launched into space.
Robby Incmikoski: What was it like being let go as Rockies manager?
Clint Hurdle: It wasn’t unexpected. When Dan O’Dowd (GM) called me to his house early one morning, I knew. I didn’t agree, but I understood. I asked to speak to my coaches, the players, and the media. I told the players, “This is the last excuse you can use. My job is gone—go play baseball.”
The team made the playoffs under Jim Tracy, my handpicked bench coach. I call it “honoring the exit.” You leave with integrity and gratitude for the opportunity.
Robby Incmikoski: Did you know how passionate Pittsburgh was about baseball?
Clint Hurdle: Not fully, but I quickly learned. The Clemente Bridge, fans arriving early, the Jolly Roger flags—it was incredible. For those three years, the city came alive. Visiting teams hated playing at PNC Park because of the energy from the fans and our performance.
Robby Incmikoski: How special is Pittsburgh to you personally?
Clint Hurdle: It’s etched in my heart. My family spent our “wonder years” there. My kids grew up in Pittsburgh. The city has a heartbeat—a little rough around the edges, but soft where it counts. The people treated us with so much love.
Robby Incmikoski: What was it like managing Andrew McCutchen?
Clint Hurdle: Andrew is one of the best friends I’ve made in the game. He’s a master craftsman, always striving for perfection. I’d watch him play and remind myself how special he is.
To this day, I say, “I’d bat him third and let him date my daughter”—the highest compliments I can give a player.
Robby Incmikoski: How did the Rockies catch fire in 2007?
Clint Hurdle: The players believed in themselves. They’d won together in the minors and developed into a great team. We pitched well, had a shutdown bullpen, and played flawless defense. In September, we got hot.
I remember a game against Washington—down 5–1 in the ninth, but we came back to win. That’s when the players started believing, “We’re not losing tonight.” The vibe changed. They arrived earlier, stayed later, and rallied around each other.
Robby Incmikoski: How do you reflect on your time managing the Rockies and Pirates?
Clint Hurdle: For the Rockies, I’m proud of what we accomplished, especially the 2007 run. It’s the only NL Championship banner the franchise has, and it’s a ring I still wear.
For the Pirates, it was humbling to bring baseball back to Pittsburgh. To see the city, stadium, and fan base come alive after 20 years of losing—that’s something I’ll never forget.
Robby Incmikoski: What’s your advice on handling the ups and downs of managing?
Clint Hurdle: Honor the opportunity and the exit. You can’t preach integrity, character, and community, then scream and kick when you’re let go. Be grateful.
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More from Clint Hurdle
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.