Clint Hurdle: Unlimited Potential to Timeless Wisdom
02/21/25 • 67 min
On this episode, I'm thrilled to bring you a deep and engaging conversation with a true baseball legend, Clint Hurdle. Clint's career in baseball is nothing short of spectacular, and his journey is filled with invaluable insights and wisdom that transcend the sport. From being a highly touted young player to managing teams to the World Series, Clint's experiences are a testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of relationships.
Clint and I have shared numerous conversations over the years, especially during spring training, where his "Hurdleisms"—gems of wisdom he naturally dispenses—became a hallmark. We dive into these Hurdleisms, exploring the wit and wisdom compiled in his new book, aptly titled "Hurdleisms: Wit and Wisdom from a Lifetime in Baseball."
In our conversation, Clint opens up about his journey from being a young kid with a dream to the pinnacle of professional baseball. We discuss the pressures of being labeled a phenom, the ups and downs of his playing career, and the transition to coaching and managing. Clint's story is not just about baseball; it's about life, perseverance, and overcoming personal challenges, including his battles with alcoholism.
But it doesn’t stop there. We talk about his approach to leadership, the importance of building a strong culture within a team, and how his faith and family have grounded him throughout his career. Clint shares candidly about his tenure with the Rockies, the joy of leading the Pittsburgh Pirates back to the playoffs after 20 consecutive losing seasons, and his current role in player development with the Rockies.
Whether you're a baseball fan or not, Clint Hurdle's story is one of genuine human interest and inspiration. Join us for a heartfelt and insightful episode where we explore the life of a man who, despite the myriad challenges, has always strived to be a beacon of positivity and guidance for those around him.
Don't miss this episode with the wise Clint Hurdle. You’re sure to walk away with a fresh perspective on leadership, life, and baseball!
About Clint,
Clint Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and coach, most well-known for his time managing the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. He led the Rockies to their first-ever National League pennant in 2007. After being hired by the Pirates in 2010, Hurdle guided them to their first winning season and playoff appearance in over two decades in 2013, when he was named the NL Manager of the Year. The Pirates also made the postseason in 2014 and 2015.
Hurdle was selected ninth overall in the 1975 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Rovals and played 515 games at the Major League level, including 109 starts for the AL pennant winners in 1980.
Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11
Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.
Save your spot for Training Camp Live in Ponte Vedra, Florida, MAY 15th, 2025! Elevate your leadership skills and engage in an experience designed for growth, purpose, and excellence with incredible leaders such as Sean McVay, Eddie George, Dabo Swinney, Chaunte Lowe and Kevin O’Connell. Game-Changing Coaches, Once-in-a-Lifetime Insights!
Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.
Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare
On this episode, I'm thrilled to bring you a deep and engaging conversation with a true baseball legend, Clint Hurdle. Clint's career in baseball is nothing short of spectacular, and his journey is filled with invaluable insights and wisdom that transcend the sport. From being a highly touted young player to managing teams to the World Series, Clint's experiences are a testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of relationships.
Clint and I have shared numerous conversations over the years, especially during spring training, where his "Hurdleisms"—gems of wisdom he naturally dispenses—became a hallmark. We dive into these Hurdleisms, exploring the wit and wisdom compiled in his new book, aptly titled "Hurdleisms: Wit and Wisdom from a Lifetime in Baseball."
In our conversation, Clint opens up about his journey from being a young kid with a dream to the pinnacle of professional baseball. We discuss the pressures of being labeled a phenom, the ups and downs of his playing career, and the transition to coaching and managing. Clint's story is not just about baseball; it's about life, perseverance, and overcoming personal challenges, including his battles with alcoholism.
But it doesn’t stop there. We talk about his approach to leadership, the importance of building a strong culture within a team, and how his faith and family have grounded him throughout his career. Clint shares candidly about his tenure with the Rockies, the joy of leading the Pittsburgh Pirates back to the playoffs after 20 consecutive losing seasons, and his current role in player development with the Rockies.
Whether you're a baseball fan or not, Clint Hurdle's story is one of genuine human interest and inspiration. Join us for a heartfelt and insightful episode where we explore the life of a man who, despite the myriad challenges, has always strived to be a beacon of positivity and guidance for those around him.
Don't miss this episode with the wise Clint Hurdle. You’re sure to walk away with a fresh perspective on leadership, life, and baseball!
About Clint,
Clint Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and coach, most well-known for his time managing the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. He led the Rockies to their first-ever National League pennant in 2007. After being hired by the Pirates in 2010, Hurdle guided them to their first winning season and playoff appearance in over two decades in 2013, when he was named the NL Manager of the Year. The Pirates also made the postseason in 2014 and 2015.
Hurdle was selected ninth overall in the 1975 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Rovals and played 515 games at the Major League level, including 109 starts for the AL pennant winners in 1980.
Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11
Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.
Save your spot for Training Camp Live in Ponte Vedra, Florida, MAY 15th, 2025! Elevate your leadership skills and engage in an experience designed for growth, purpose, and excellence with incredible leaders such as Sean McVay, Eddie George, Dabo Swinney, Chaunte Lowe and Kevin O’Connell. Game-Changing Coaches, Once-in-a-Lifetime Insights!
Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.
Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare
Previous Episode
From Tragedy to Triumph: Amberly Lago's Formula for Finding Joy in Adversity
In this episode, I'm thrilled to share an incredibly inspiring conversation with my guest, and dear friend, Amberly Lago. Amberly is a phenomenal author, speaker, and the embodiment of resilience.
We dove into Amberly’s remarkable life journey, from her adrenaline-filled days as a fitness expert to the life-altering accident that left her with a 1% chance of saving her leg. Amberly shares how she transformed this profound adversity into a story of hope, healing, and joy. We talk about her new book, "Joy Through the Journey," and how it came to be – a title, I'm proud to say, that came about during one of our earlier podcast chats!
We explore the deep connection between grit and joy, and Amberly offers powerful insights on how these seemingly opposing forces can coexist to help us navigate life's roller coaster. You'll hear about her daily practices for cultivating joy, overcoming chronic pain, and her never-ending quest to inspire others to find light even in their darkest moments.
Amberly’s journey is a testament to the power of mindset, faith, and relentless perseverance. Whether you’re facing personal struggles, professional challenges, or just seeking a dose of inspiration, this episode is sure to uplift and motivate you.
Tune in to hear how Amberly Lago's story can help you find "Joy Through the Journey," no matter where you are in your life. You won’t want to miss this heartfelt and empowering conversation.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out Amberly’s new book and join her book club – it's a fantastic way to connect and keep the conversation going! Visit go.amberlylago.com/joy to learn more.
About Amberly,
Amberly Lago is an internationally renowned speaker on grit, resilience, and human connection, inspiring others to find joy through life's challenges.
She is the author of True Grit and Grace and her newest release, Joy Through the Journey, which focuses on finding joy despite life's hardships, uncertainty, and pain.
She has captivated audiences at global corporations like Lululemon, Google, Athleta, and Herbalife and her TEDx talk has garnered hundreds of thousands of views worldwide.
As a highly sought-after thought leader, coach, and bestselling author, Amberly’s expertise has been featured in prominent media outlets including Forbes, USA Today (where she was named one of the nation’s Top Influential Speakers), The Doctors, Hallmark, and The TODAY Show.
Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.
Save your spot for Training Camp Live in Ponte Vedra, Florida, MAY 15th, 2025! Elevate your leadership skills and engage in an experience designed for growth, purpose, and excellence with incredible leaders such as Sean McVay, Eddie George, Dabo Swinney, Chaunte Lowe and Kevin O'Connell. Game-Changing Coaches, Once-in-a-Lifetime Insights.
Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.
Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!
Next Episode
Extraordinary Transformation with Dr. Nido Qubein
In this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I'm excited to welcome the legendary Dr. Nido Qubein. At age 76, Nido is a dynamo of wisdom and transformational leadership, making his journey from an immigrant to word famous author and speaker to the president of High Point University truly inspiring.
Join us as we explore Nido's incredible journey—his strategic growth, risk management, and the value-driven leadership that turned High Point University into a premier life skills institution. Nido shares profound life lessons on vision, focus, and embracing “productive failures,” all while upholding the ethos of God, Family, and Country.
Nido's insights offer a masterclass in transformation for anyone aiming to convert vision into lasting impact. Whether you're a business leader, educator, or entrepreneurial spirit, this conversation promises to inspire.
Listen in and let's grow together. The best is yet to come!
Check out Nido's book, Extraordinary Transformation here!
About Dr. Nido Qubein
Dr. Nido Qubein is an accomplished university president and a nationally recognized author, speaker, and leader. He came to the United States with $50 in his pocket and a few words of English in his vocabulary ... yet went on to become one of America’s most sought-after speakers and consultants. As a university president, the story of his tenure at High Point University is known to many. In less than a decade, he led the institution to phenomenal growth (6,000 students) and significant academic advancement, quadrupling its size and moving it to the number one spot among Best Colleges in the South. This year, the Princeton Review named High Point University the #1 Best Run College in the Nation. As an American citizen, President Qubein has been the recipient of some of the highest national awards, including induction into the Horatio Alger Association for Distinguished Americans with General Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, and the founder of Starbucks, Howard Schultz. He is the recipient of DAR’s Americanism Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, along with four U.S. presidents. He is a member of the International Speakers Hall of Fame and, in fact, has served as president of the National Speakers Association.
As a business leader, he is the executive chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company with 240 stores in 43 states. He serves or has served on the boards of several national organizations including Truist (a Fortune 500 company with $500 billion in assets), La-Z-Boy, Savista, a leading healthcare company and the Horatio Alger Association Board of Directors. President Qubein is the author of a dozen books and scores of leadership audio and visual recordings translated into many languages. The Biography Channel and the Amazon Channel both televised his Emmy-nominated life story titled “A Life of Success and Significance.” And his most recent book, Extraordinary Transformation, is a #1 Amazon Bestseller that chronicles the leadership behind HPU’s unparalleled metamorphosis.
In his home city of High Point, North Carolina, he has been named both the Citizen of the Year and the Philanthropist of the Year. His foundation has invested millions in scholarships for deserving young people and his family has been among the largest benefactors to High Point University and other organizations.
Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11
Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.
Save your spot for Training Camp Live in Ponte Vedra, Florida, MAY 15th, 2025! Elevate your leadership skills and engage in an experience designed for growth, purpose, and excellence with incredible leaders such as Sean McVay, Eddie George, Dabo Swinney, Chaunte Lowe and Kevin O’Connell. Game-Changing Coaches, Once-in-a-Lifetime Insights!
Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.
Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer?
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