Pirates officially extend Hurdle's contract

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates and manager Clint Hurdle have officially agreed to a contract extension that runs through at least the end of the 2014 season.

Terms were not disclosed but the deal includes a club option for 2015. The 55-year-old was in the final season of a three-year deal he signed in December 2010 when he replaced John Russell.

Pittsburgh is 151-173 in two seasons under Hurdle, including a 79-83 mark in 2012, tied for the franchise's best record in two decades.

"I feel privileged to have the opportunity to continue and finish what we started," Hurdle said. "There's no place I would rather be than in a Pirates uniform."

General manager Neal Huntington says Hurdle has played a "significant role" in the team's turnaround. Pittsburgh had the worst record in baseball the year before Hurdle arrived but has improved its record in each of the last two seasons.

"Clint's leadership, infectious positive energy, passion and knowledge transcend the clubhouse," Huntington said. "We believe he is the right man to help us return championship-caliber baseball to Pittsburgh."

Hurdle's career record is 685-798. He led the Colorado Rockies to their only World Series appearance in 2007. Twice he's finished in the top six in National League Manager of the Year voting, including sixth in 2011 when the Pirates went 72-90, a 15-win improvement over 2010.

WPXI