"Five weeks from today, Clint Hurdle officially will begin his second season as Pirates manager when pitchers and catchers hold their first spring training workout at Pirate City.

Last year, the Pirates were atop of the National League Central standings on July 25 but finished 19-43 and in fourth place. Hurdle knows success rarely happens quickly in the major leagues and is difficult to maintain over the course of a 162-game season. When he managed the Colorado Rockies, it took him five full seasons to post a winning record and get his team into the playoffs.

During the Pirates' minicamp last week, Hurdle sat down with Tribune-Review beat writer Rob Biertempfel and offered early insight into the upcoming season."