BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

Is It Still Called ‘Old School’ If It Works? Clint Hurdle


Listen Later

Send us a text

Ever wonder what happens when a Major League manager storms the field to argue a call? For Clint Hurdle, former Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies manager, one such confrontation led to an unexpected humbling when an umpire refused to eject him, saying "I've had to watch this horrible baseball for four days. You're going to have to watch it too." It's just one of many candid insights Hurdle shares in this revealing conversation.

After spending decades in professional baseball, Hurdle now serves as special assistant to the Rockies' general manager, working with minor league affiliates and developing young talent. He calls it "probably one of the best jobs I've ever had—it just took me 45 years to get it." This role allows him to maintain family balance while sharing his baseball wisdom with the next generation.

Hurdle's coaching philosophy centers on making practice more challenging than games. Drawing from NBA coach Steve Kerr's experience guarding Michael Jordan in practice, Hurdle advises players to "trust the reps, work as hard as you can in practice so you can actually play in the game." He emphasizes connecting with players by finding common interests outside baseball—what he calls "coins"—creating relationships that transcend the sport.

On baseball's analytical evolution, Hurdle positions himself between traditions and innovations: "It's not old school versus new school, let's all be in school." This hybrid approach helped him navigate Pittsburgh's analytics-driven front office while maintaining his baseball instincts. He appreciates data's objectivity while acknowledging human development requires emotional intelligence.

Whether discussing coachability, parent relationships in high school sports, or small-market team challenges, Hurdle brings perspective shaped by almost five decades in baseball. His insights extend beyond strategy to the human elements that make baseball special. For coaches at any level looking to improve their approach, connect with players, or navigate baseball's changing landscape, Hurdle's wisdom is invaluable.

Support the show

  • Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast
  • Website - https://www.athlete1.net
  • Sponsor: The Netting Professionals
  • https://www.nettingpros.com



...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGEDBy Ken Carpenter

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

48 ratings


More shows like BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

View all
The D1Baseball Podcast by D1Baseball Staff

The D1Baseball Podcast

224 Listeners

Pardon My Take by Barstool Sports

Pardon My Take

81,897 Listeners

ABCA Podcast by American Baseball Coaches Association

ABCA Podcast

428 Listeners

FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

10,657 Listeners

Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar by Jonathan Gelnar, bleav

Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar

214 Listeners

Patrick Jones Baseball by Patrick Jones

Patrick Jones Baseball

265 Listeners

Coaching Youth Baseball by Dave Holt

Coaching Youth Baseball

60 Listeners

11Point7: The College Baseball Podcast by 11Point7

11Point7: The College Baseball Podcast

256 Listeners

Elite Baseball Development Podcast by Eric Cressey

Elite Baseball Development Podcast

288 Listeners

Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball by The Athletic

Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

792 Listeners

THE 8020BASEBALL PODCAST by COACH BO

THE 8020BASEBALL PODCAST

66 Listeners

Clearing The Bases by Jimmy Filingeri

Clearing The Bases

28 Listeners

Barn Talk by This'll Do Farm

Barn Talk

1,597 Listeners

The Pure Athlete Podcast by Jeff Francoeur

The Pure Athlete Podcast

199 Listeners

Diggin' Deep Shows by MoonBall Media

Diggin' Deep Shows

159 Listeners