Hurdle humbled by the reception from fans

Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle was the main attraction over Piratefest weekend.

“I want you to be proud of the Pirates,” Hurdle told one gathering of fans. “I believe in the city of Pittsburgh. I’m humbled by the reception that I’ve gotten.”

The Q&A sessions during Pirates Management were packed full of fans wanting to ask and listen to what the new skipper had to say.

But the fans weren’t the only ones excited about Hurdle being a part of the future. Several players have spoken out on the impact he brings to the team.

“I think he’s going to be great,” starter Ross Ohlendorf said. “Obviously, everyone talks about his energy, and he has a lot of energy. But he brings a really good attitude and is really positive. He’s doing a great job in getting everyone to believe that we’re going to have a really good team.”

“When he speaks, you listen,” said Garrett Jones, one of Hurdle’s two primary right fielders going into 2011. “He’s the type of guy who, when he walks into a room, he brings energy with him. When he’s talking, you’re listening. He’s the type of coach we need and that guy that is going to kick us in the butt when we need it throughout the season.”

“He just seems like one of the guys,” noted pitcher Charlie Morton. “Obviously, he is the head guy. But you can go up and talk with him. He’s excited, which I think is really, really big for us. I’ve got nothing but good things to say.”