Having dad at PNC Park is special for Hurdle

By Tom Singer

March 31, 2014

PITTSBURGH -- Having Jim Leyland present him with the 2013 National League Manager of the Year Award on Monday made Clint Hurdle feel good.

Having his dad, Clint, present to see him do it made Hurdle feel even better.

"It will be special for me to have Dad here," said Hurdle, who pledged the award to his father when he was originally presented with it at a January banquet in New York City. "The award will go to him.

"Fifty-one years ago," added the 56-year-old manager, "my dad grabbed my hand and said, 'Let's go outside and play catch.' I can think of no better person to receive the award.

"He's had to manage me, and that's quite a task. Good, bad, up, down -- he's been with me the whole journey."

The junior Hurdle felt adolescent-like pride in being able to accept his profession's highest honor in front of a parent.

"He'll be able to look at his kid and say, 'Well done.'"

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.