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Van Slyke: Bucs Getting Over Hurdle Has Everything To Do With Hurdle

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Bob Pompeani continues the Pirate Playoff Preview Show live from Mario's on E. Carson Street on the South Side with former Pirates great Andy Van Slyke who reflects on the last time the Bucs regularly made the playoffs and what this game means for him and the city.

Van Slyke gives credit to Clint Hurdle for this recent success and the lessons learned from the collapses of the past couple years. He said he thinks that "maybe it took a couple years to have the right attitude" that would ultimately lead to winning and the playoffs.

Veteran additions have also powered this club down the stretch and given them a psychological edge.

According to Andy, "Adding Liriano, and I think Martin, as much as anything really changed the attitude in that clubhouse."

He added that it would be "highly disappointing" if this ride was over after one game.

Van Slyke was hugely popular during his time as a Pirate and he suspects that it playing to have fun attitude, as well as his propensity to go all out. "You really can't hide" when a player is not trying, he said.

When reflecting on his Pirates career, Van Slyke sadly admits that he "never really got over" the last playoff loss to the Braves. It was like a "rock in his shoe that was always causing problems."

Andy Van Slyke

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