By Stephen J. Nesbitt / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
CHICAGO — Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was blindsided Tuesday by the news that Kirk Gibson, the longtime major league player and manager, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Before the game Tuesday, Hurdle was asked for his reaction to Gibson’s announcement, and said, “I wasn’t even aware of it.” It was a tough update to swallow, he said, and it felt close to home since an assistant coach’s wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years back.
“He's always been up for a challenge,” Hurdle said of Gibson.