Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle (13) in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh Friday, May 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)
A familiar face will be rejoining the Rockies next year.
Clint Hurdle, the only Rockies manager to lead a team to the World Series, will return to the team as a special assistant to general manager Bill Schmidt. Hurdle will assist with player development and the MLB draft.
“I am thrilled to return to an organization that I love,” he said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with Bill and his staff and helping out wherever they need me.”
Hurdle first began working with the organization in 1994, and served as manager from 2002-2009. He led the team to 534 wins, the most by a manager in franchise history. His biggest accomplishment came in 2007, when he led the team through “Rocktober” to reach the playoffs. The Rockies won 13 of their last 14 games to force a tie-breaker, then made it all the way to the World Series before falling to the Red Sox.
After leaving the Rockies, Hurdle managed the Pirates from 2011-2019, retiring shortly after his tenure ended there. But he remained connected with owner Dick Monfort and has known members of the coaching staff for decades.
Schmidt, who was hired as general manager in October after holding the interim title for most of last season, will now have an experienced voice aiding him in his first full season in his new position.
“We are extremely excited to welcome back Clint Hurdle to the Rockies organization,” Schmidt said. “Clint has a long history with the Rockies and in this game, and he brings a wealth of knowledge that will be incredibly valuable to this organization and our players.”
Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle (13) in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh Friday, May 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)Skipper Clint Hurdle and Todd Helton embrace after winning as Rockies players celebrate their first playoff berth since 1995. The Colorado Rockies defeated the San Diego Padres 9-8 in 13 innings to send them to the NLDS Monday October 1, 2007 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. PHOTO BY: TODD SPOTH (TODD SPOTH)Rockies manager Clint Hurdle celebrates in the clubhouse Monday, October 15, 2007, following the Rockies’ final game of their four game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NLCS win at Coors Field. Mark Reis photo (Mark Reis)Pittsburgh Pirates’ Francisco Cervelli stands with manager Clint Hurdle after suffering an injury while batting against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 10, 2016, in Pittsburgh. Cervelli left the game and was replaced by catcher Chris Stewart. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic)Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke, center, hands the ball to manager Clint Hurdle, left, as he is removed in the the sixth inning of a baseball game againast the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. The Cubs won 6-4. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle smiles as he talks with reports and celebrates clinching a post season berth after a baseball game and 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Charles Rex Arbogast)FILE – In this March 11, 2016, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle catches a baseball while hitting grounders to his infielders before a spring training baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, in Bradenton, Fla. The Pirates are hoping a better start leads to a better finish in 2016. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File) (Chris O’Meara)FILE – In this Nov. 15, 2010, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates new manager Clint Hurdle, right, shares a moment with team chairman of the board Bob Nutting, left, and president Frank Coonelly after being introduced as the 39th manager in the history of the Pirates. A packed stadium, a roster filled with homegrown talent and a team streaking to the postseason has become something of a September tradition in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, FILE) (Gene J. Puskar)
