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Bucs Introduce Hurdle As New Manager

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Pittsburgh Pirates introduced a new manager Monday morning the hopes of turning things around after 18 consecutive losing seasons.

Clint Hurdle signed a three-year deal with the Pirates after helping to lead two teams to the World Series in the last four years.

This past season he was the hitting coach for the American League champion Texas Rangers. He also led the Colorado Rockies to the World Series as their manager in 2007.

During his tenure as manager of the Colorado Rockies from 2002-09, Hurdle amassed a record of 534-625.

Hurdle replaces John Russell, who was fired after three years with the Pirates and posted a 186-299 record.

The new skipper has his hands full as the Pirates were last in earned run average, batting average and had the National League's worst fielding percentage.

Hurdle is confident that he can teach the young group of Pirates how to win.

"Because I believe it's a game still about people. And when you commit to people you develop loyalty. When you develop loyalty, that breeds energy. When you breed the energy, that breeds effort. At the end of the day that effort will get you the results that you're looking for," Hurdle said.

"I'm not going to shy away from talking about a championship," Hurdle said. "At the end of the day, I don't care what other people think."

Hurdle doesn't know who his coaching staff will be yet, but he is very aware of the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates and it's time for him to get to work.

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