Jami Thompson
Clinton Merrick Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager from the United States. Hurdle managed the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates after playing for the Kansas City Royals.
Early Life & Education
Clinton Merrick Hurdle, also known as Clint Hurdle, was born on July 30, 1957, in Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan, to Clinton Hurdle Sr. and Louise Hurdle.
He also has two sisters, Robin Hurdle and Bobby Jo Hurdle.
Clint’s family moved to Merritt Island when he was three years old due to his father’s job with NASA’s Apollo space program. Hurdle and his two sisters grew up watching NASA rocket launches from their backyard.
Aside from that, his family has a long baseball history. Clint’s paternal grandfather turned down an offer to play for the Cincinnati Reds in order to support his family.
Clint’s father was a Ferris State University baseball player. Unfortunately, Clint Sr. had to give up his baseball career to join the military. He did, however, pass on his baseball skills to his son.
Junior used to play baseball on a nearby baseball field with his parents and two sisters.
Hurdle also attended Merritt Island High School for his high school education. He began playing football and baseball there.
He was named an all-state quarterback his senior year after leading his team to the state championship.
Age, Height, and Nationality
Clint Hurdle was born in 1957 and is currently 63 years old.
Clint is also 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall and weighs approximately 195 lb (88 kg). He, interestingly, went through strict dieting to achieve his current body shape.
The hurdle weighed 275 pounds at the time. So, in order to stay active and fit, he began eating a balanced and healthy diet.
Clint, too, avoided cheeseburgers and milkshakes in order to get in shape. Similarly, Hurdle is an American by nationality and of white ethnicity. He is also a devout Christian.
Professional Career
He received several scholarship offers after winning the High School Football State Championship.
He first considered accepting the University of Miami’s invitation to play football and baseball. But he changed his mind and declared himself available for the 1975 MLB Draft.
Bill Fisher, his next-door neighbor, was a Royals scout at the time. Clint was able to catch the attention of the Kansas City Royals after impressing him.
Clinton was chosen in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1975 Major League Draft. He was chosen ahead of a slew of future stars, including Carney Lansford, Lou Whitaker, and Lee Smith.
After meeting at a nearby restaurant, Hurdle quickly signed a contract.
Clint Hurdle spent the majority of his playing career with the Kansas City Royals, from 1977 to 1981. However, before making his first-team debut, he played for a number of minor-league clubs.
He was a very talented player, and many analysts referred to him as a generational talent.
Normally, it takes nearly three years for such young players to make the first team, but with some hard work, he was called up in just two years.
Clint made his Major League debut on September 18, 1977, against the Seattle Mariners. He batted fifth and played in the right field.
Career| Manager
Hurdle began his managerial career in 1988 with the Class-A advanced Florida League club St. Lucie Mets.
He managed the Class AA Jackson Mets and Williamsport Bills before taking the big job with the Rockies. In 1993, he also managed the Tidewater Tides of the Class AAA I. League.
You may also read about Charlie Morton
Colorado Rockies
Clinton joined the Rockies in October 1993 as a minor-league hitting coach.
Rockies manager Don Baylor asked him to be the first-team first-base and hitting coach prior to the 1997 season. Baylor quickly warmed to him.
The team’s batting average increased significantly under Hurdle in 2000 and 2001. Unfortunately, the team struggled in other aspects of the game and finished the season poorly.
Buddy Bell was fired by the Rockies after a string of losses just 22 games into the 2002 season. Hurdle was then given managerial responsibilities.
He won his first six games as manager, and the Rockies got back on track.
Clint’s team placed fourth in 2004, fifth in 2005, and tied for fourth in 2006. The Rockies’ 67-95 record in 2005 was the worst in club history, but he was not fired because of his organizational advocate qualities.
The Rockies won 20 of the final 21 games of the 2007 season to advance to the World Series. Hurdle implemented new strategies and led the team to the World Series, where they were defeated in four games by the Boston Red Sox.
However, his team underperformed once again in 2008, and he was fired by the Rockies in the middle of the 2009 season.
Relationship Status| Married with Children
Clint has been happily retired with his wife, Karla Yearick, since 1999. But, prior to that, he had experienced numerous heartbreaks in his personal life. Hurdle was divorced twice before the age of 32.
He went down the wrong path after becoming famous and wealthy at a young age. Hurdle developed a drinking problem that worsened with each passing day. His first marriage ended in divorce when he was only 25 years old.
He has a daughter named Ashley from his second marriage (born in 1985). However, that marriage also ended in divorce.
Clint met his current wife, Karla, in 1992. Karla was an accountant, and he met her while paying taxes at the Accountant’s office.
They dated for six years. Clint proposed to her in 1998, but she declined, requesting that he first overcome his alcoholism.
Net Worth and Income
Clint Hurdle has been a baseball player and manager for nearly a decade. Clint made a fortune in every field during this time period. During his playing career, he was one of the hottest players.
Hurdle has a net worth of nearly $12 million, according to online sources.
Furthermore, Clit earned approximately $25 million as a player. That’s quite an accomplishment for a player whose career ended more than thirty years ago.
Similarly, Clint was reported to earn a $3 million annual salary as Pirates manager.
He has made numerous charitable contributions over the years. He now lives a happy and lavish life with his family.
Social Media Presence
Clint Hurdle, as one might expect from someone his age, is not particularly active on social media.
The baseball manager is not on social media, but people frequently tweet about him using the hashtag #clinthurdle.
FAQ’s
How long has clint’s hurdle been sober?
Clint has been sober for 21 years.
Why was Clint Hurdle ejected in 2016?
Clint Hurdle was ejected from the Pirates-Phillies game after arguing an interference no-call in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Why was Clint Hurdle suspended?
Clint Hurdle was suspended on July 30, 2019, after a brawl during a game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Similarly, he was suspended for his club’s behavior during the incident for throwing multiple intentional pitches to Reds teammate Derek Dietrich that season.
How many times has clint hurdle got ejected?
Clint’s hurdle has been thrown out 50 times.
Quick Facts:
| Full Name | Clinton Merrick Hurdle |
| Birth Date | 30 July 1957 |
| Birth Place | Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan, U.S.A. |
| Nick Name | Clint |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education | Merritt Island High School |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Father’s Name | Clinton Hurdle Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | Louise Hurdle |
| Siblings | Two (Robin & Bobby Jo.) |
| Age | 65 Years Old |
| Height | 6 ft. 3 in. (190 cm) |
| Weight | 88 kg (195 lb.) |
| Hair Color | White |
| Eye Color | Gray |
| Build | Not Available |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Karla Hurdle |
| Divorced | Twice |
| Children | 3 (Ashley, Madison & Christian) |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Position | Former Player & Manager |
| Current Teams | Not Available |
| Former Teams (Played) | Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals |
| Former Teams (Managed) | Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Preferred Hand | Batted: Left Threw: Right |
| Salary | $3 million |
| Net Worth | $12 Million |
