Clint Hurdle – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Clinton Merrick Hurdle burst onto the Major League Baseball scene with huge expectations, but by 1987, he’d wrapped up a career that didn’t quite live up to the early hype. Hurdle played 10 seasons in the majors from 1977 to 1987. He finished with a .259 batting average, 32 home runs, and 193 RBIs in 515 games before calling it quits at just 29. The Kansas City Royals picked him ninth overall in the 1975 draft, and Sports Illustrated even put him on their cover in 1978, dubbing him “This Year’s Phenom.”

He never turned into the superstar people thought he’d be, but he did carve out a playing career with five different teams and played a bunch of positions. Kansas City got his best years, especially during their 1980 run to the American League pennant and World Series. He bounced around after that, landing with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals, before ending up back in the Mets organization.

Hurdle’s playing days really show the weight of being a top prospect and the tough reality of pro baseball. Those experiences shaped how he approached coaching and managing later—and he eventually managed two National League pennant winners. From his early days in Florida to his last season in 1987, Hurdle’s career gives a peek into the challenges that even the most hyped athletes face.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Clinton Merrick Hurdle’s baseball journey started in Michigan, but it really took off after his family moved to Florida’s space coast. His dad’s baseball background and the family’s relocation set the stage for a standout high school career at Merritt Island High.

Family Background and Upbringing

Clinton Merrick Hurdle was born July 30, 1957, in Big Rapids, Michigan. His father, also named Clinton, played college ball at Ferris State University.

When Hurdle was four, the family packed up and moved to Florida. His father landed a job at the Kennedy Space Center, so they settled on the Space Coast.

That move changed everything for young Hurdle. As a kid, he worked as a bat boy for the Cocoa Astros in the Florida State League, getting a real taste of how pro baseball worked.

He grew up watching rocket launches from his backyard thanks to the Kennedy Space Center, but even with all that, baseball was his main thing.

Merritt Island High School Achievements

Hurdle went to Merritt Island High School in Florida and quickly made a name for himself as an athlete. He shined in both baseball and football.

His skills on the field were impressive enough that the University of Miami offered him a scholarship to play both college baseball and college football as a quarterback.

He was no slouch in the classroom either. Harvard accepted him, which says a lot about his academic chops.

College recruiters and pro scouts both took notice of his dual-sport talents and grades. He really had his pick of options after high school.

Major League Draft and Scouting

The Kansas City Royals picked Hurdle in the first round of the 1975 MLB draft, taking him ninth overall. Scouts clearly thought he was something special.

Instead of heading to Miami or Harvard, Hurdle signed with the Royals. They gave him a $50,000 signing bonus to go pro.

Skipping college was a big risk for an 18-year-old, but being a first-rounder meant scouts really believed in his tools.

Sports Illustrated would put him on their cover in 1978 with “This Year’s Phenom,” which pretty much summed up the buzz around him back then.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Clint Hurdle played in the majors from 1977 to 1987, suiting up for four teams. He ended up with a .259 batting average, 32 home runs, and 193 RBIs in 515 games. He started out as a hot prospect with the Kansas City Royals, then spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals before hanging it up at 29.

Kansas City Royals Tenure

The Royals picked Hurdle with the ninth pick in the 1975 draft and gave him a $50,000 bonus. He made his big league debut on September 18, 1977, at just 20.

His debut was a pretty good one. Against Seattle, he got three at-bats, picked up a hit, homered, and drove in two runs.

In 1978, Sports Illustrated put him on their March 20 cover with “This Year’s Phenom,” which cranked up the pressure and attention.

He had his best season in 1980. Hurdle started 109 games in right field for a Royals team that won the American League pennant. He played in four World Series games against the Phillies, starting in right.

But he never quite became the star his draft status suggested. He stayed with Kansas City until 1981, then they traded him away.

Cincinnati Reds and Trade Details

In December 1981, Kansas City traded Hurdle to the Cincinnati Reds. He only lasted the 1982 season there.

After Cincinnati, he went on waivers. The Reds didn’t keep him around once the season ended.

That short stint in Cincinnati kind of signaled that teams were having trouble figuring out the best way to use his skills.

New York Mets and Catcher Conversion

After the Reds let him go, the Seattle Mariners picked up Hurdle in February 1983, but they released him before the season started.

The New York Mets signed him in April 1983. He spent most of that year with their Triple-A club, the Tidewater Tides.

He set a Tides franchise record that year with 105 RBIs. He only played 13 games for the Mets in the majors that season.

In 1984, he mostly stayed in Triple-A. The next year, he got into 43 games in the big leagues for the Mets.

While with the Mets, Hurdle played a bunch of positions. He mainly played outfield, but also got time at first base, third base, and even tried catching.

St. Louis Cardinals Period

The St. Louis Cardinals brought Hurdle in for the 1986 season. He played 78 games for them, his busiest major league year since Kansas City.

His last MLB game came on June 26, 1987, back with the Mets. He had one at-bat and didn’t get a hit against Philadelphia.

He finished up his big league career at 29. That last season, he played 97 games with the Tidewater Tides and just three for the Mets.

Throughout his career, he played right field, first base, third base, catcher, and designated hitter. His .259 career average was solid, but not exactly eye-popping.

Positions Played and On-Field Performance

Clint Hurdle showed off some serious versatility in his 10-year career, moving all over the diamond. He started out strong with Kansas City and looked like a power hitter, but injuries slowed him down.

Primary Positions and Versatility

Hurdle started out as an outfielder, mostly in right field for the Royals from 1977 to 1981. He played alongside guys like George Brett and Willie Wilson.

The Mets tried to keep his career going by turning him into a catcher in the mid-1980s. In 1985, he caught 17 games and played 10 in the outfield.

He also played first base and third base. In 1983, he played nine games at third, and he got some time at first in his last season in 1987.

He filled in as a designated hitter and pinch hitter, too. His ability to play all over helped him stick around, even though a back injury in 1981 really hurt his offense.

Notable Offensive and Defensive Statistics

Hurdle’s best year at the plate was 1981, when he hit .329, even though he missed a lot of time with injuries. His best full season was 1980, batting .294 with 10 homers as a regular for Kansas City.

He stepped up in the postseason, hitting .417 in four games during the 1980 World Series. In the 1978 ALCS, he went 3-for-8.

His career batting average was .259 over 10 seasons, and that back injury really dragged down his numbers after 1981.

He hit 32 home runs in his career and flashed some power early on. In 1983, he hit 22 homers and drove in 105 runs for Triple-A Tidewater, showing why he was a first-round pick.

Career Milestones and Noteworthy Seasons

Clint Hurdle’s career had some big moments—national attention, World Series action, and then injuries that just never let him get back on track as a regular.

Sports Illustrated Feature and Rising Stardom

In spring training 1978, Hurdle landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a “can’t miss” prospect at just 20. That came after his solid 1977 debut with the Royals.

That magazine cover brought a lot of hype. He was playing on a Royals team full of stars like George Brett, Amos Otis, and Willie Wilson.

During 1978, Hurdle played a lot but didn’t quite deliver on the big expectations. He hit .264 but didn’t show the power people thought he would.

Some folks later blamed the Sports Illustrated cover for jinxing him. Maybe the pressure just got to him after all that early attention.

1980 World Series Participation

Hurdle’s best years were 1980 and 1981 with Kansas City. In 1980, he batted .294 with 10 homers, usually hitting seventh behind Amos Otis.

That year, the Royals made it to the World Series against the Phillies. Hurdle played in four games and hit well.

He posted a .417 batting average in the 1980 World Series, which was the high point of his playing days.

That World Series trip was the peak before injuries started to take their toll. He really showed he could handle the big stage.

Injuries and Setbacks

After hitting .329 in a shortened 1981 season, Kansas City traded Hurdle to the Reds for pitcher Scott Brown. Then he suffered a nasty back injury that changed everything.

The back problems nearly ended his career. In Cincinnati, he played just 19 games and hit .206 before getting released.

His injury issues stuck around in the mid-80s. Teams tried to keep him in the game by moving him to catcher, but his back just wouldn’t cooperate.

The Mets gave him a few shots in 1983, 1985, and 1987. Still, he never really got back to his old self or locked down a regular spot.

Final Playing Years and 1987 Retirement

Hurdle’s last season in the majors came in 1987 when he was 29. He split time between the Mets and their Triple-A club, the Tidewater Tides.

He played 97 games in Triple-A and just three with the Mets. His big league career wrapped up after 10 seasons, a .259 average, and 515 games.

In 1989, two years after retiring, he had a short stint with the St. Lucie Legends in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He batted .252 in 42 games before stepping away for good.

Retiring at 29, Hurdle never quite reached his potential because of that back injury. Still, the experience he picked up as a player ended up helping him later on as a coach and manager.

Transition to Coaching and Managerial Career

When Clint Hurdle retired as a player in 1987, he didn’t waste any time moving into coaching and management. He dove right into roles that would end up shaping the rest of his career.

He bounced around from the New York Mets’ minor league system to a key gig as a hitting coach with the Colorado Rockies. That journey eventually had him leading teams to World Series appearances and snapping some pretty brutal playoff droughts.

New York Mets Minor League Management

Hurdle kicked off his managerial career in 1988 with the St. Lucie Mets in the High-A Florida State League. That job launched his transition into baseball leadership.

Over the next six years, he managed at different levels in the Mets organization. He took charge of the Jackson Mets in the Double-A Texas League in 1990, then the Williamsport Bills in the Double-A Eastern League in 1991.

From 1992 to 1993, Hurdle managed the Tidewater/Norfolk Tides in the Triple-A International League. That stint hit close to home since he’d played for the Tidewater Tides at the end of his career.

Managing in the minors gave Hurdle some much-needed experience working with young prospects. He learned how to talk to players at all stages and picked up the leadership chops he’d need for the big leagues.

Hitting Coach and Colorado Rockies Rise

In 1994, Hurdle joined the Colorado Rockies as a minor league hitting instructor. He brought his knowledge of offense to the table.

The Rockies bumped him up to major league hitting coach in 1997. He worked with a few different managers and helped shape the team’s approach at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Rockies liked what they saw from Hurdle, so when Buddy Bell got fired early in the 2002 season, they handed him the manager job. On April 2, 2006, he landed a two-year contract extension.

Those first years as manager were rough. The Rockies posted losing records from 2002 through 2006, and Hurdle had to keep working on the team’s foundation.

2007 World Series Run

The 2007 season changed everything for Hurdle as a manager. The Rockies finished 90-73, their best record up to that point.

Colorado caught fire, winning 13 of their last 14 games to force a tiebreaker with the San Diego Padres for the National League Wild Card. The Rockies knocked off San Diego in that one-game playoff.

In the postseason, Hurdle’s squad swept the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series. They then took down the Arizona Diamondbacks in four games and won the franchise’s first National League pennant.

The 2007 World Series pitted Colorado against the Boston Red Sox. It didn’t go their way—Boston swept the Rockies in four games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Comeback

Colorado let Hurdle go in May 2009. He then spent 2010 as a hitting coach with the Texas Rangers. That year, the Rangers made it to the World Series, so Hurdle picked up another taste of the big stage.

The Pittsburgh Pirates hired Hurdle as manager on November 14, 2010. The Pirates were mired in 18 straight losing seasons, which was a record no one wanted.

Hurdle finally broke through in 2013. Pittsburgh finished 94-68 and ended that ugly losing streak. They beat the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card game but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the Division Series.

He led the Pirates to three playoff appearances in a row (2013-2015). That included Wild Card losses to the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. Hurdle snagged the National League Manager of the Year award in 2013 for turning the franchise around.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Net Worth

Clint Hurdle’s story stretches from being a young athlete on the cover of Sports Illustrated to a respected baseball figure. His shift from player to manager really cemented his legacy in the game.

He’s also done some advocacy work, and his estimated net worth of $5 million shows his impact on and off the field.

Life After Baseball and Advocacy

Clint Hurdle retired as a player in 1987. Not long after, he jumped right into coaching and management roles.