Managerial Search: Pros and Cons of Hurdle, Banister

The Pirates' managerial search is nearing an end as they are down to two candidates to replace the fired John Russell. One is Texas hitting coach Clint Hurdle, fresh off an appearance in the World Series. The other is Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister, fresh off a 105-loss season.

Here is a look at both:

CLINT HURDLE

Background: The 53-year-old Hurdle just finished his first season as the Rangers' hitting coach after serving as Colorado's manager from April 26, 2002-May 29, 2009. He compiled a 543-625 record and led the Rockies to their lone National League pennant and World Series appearance in 2007.

Hurdle joined the Rockies' organization as their minor-league hitting coordinator in 1994 then was promoted to major-league hitting coach in 1997 before taking over as manager when Buddy Bell was fired in 2002. Hurdle's non-playing career began with six seasons as a manager in the New York Mets' farm system. He compiled a 412-418 record at the Class A, AA and AAA levels.

Hurdle was Kansas City's first-round draft pick and ninth overall selection in 1975 and made his major-league debut with the Royals two years later. He played with Kansas City through 1981 then moved on to Cincinnati (1982), the Mets (1983, 1985 and 1987) and St. Louis (1986). In his 10-year career, Hurdle batted .259 with 32 home runs and 193 RBIs in 515 games.

Hurdle is the national spokesperson for the Prader-Willi Foundation, an organization that raises awareness for Prader-Willi Syndrome, a complex genetic disorder his 8-year-old daughter Madison was born with. Prader-Willi affects about one in every 12,000 people and is caused by the lack of several genes on one of an individual's two chromosome 15s.

He signed a letter of intent to play quarterback at the University of Miami while a senior at Merritt Island (Fla.) High School but decided to sign with the Royals. Hurdle appeared on the cover of the March 20, 1978 edition of Sports Illustrated.

Pros: He has major-league managerial experience and the cachet of having taken a team to the World Series. He has a strong presence about him, both physically and with his booming voice.

Cons: He is a hitting guy all the way and there were questions about the way he handled the pitching staff in Colorado. His sometimes bombastic personality tends to wear thin after awhile.