Pirates Notebook: Hurdle said time running out for Overbay
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Pirates first baseman Lyle Overbay.
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ATLANTA -- Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday that if starting first baseman Lyle Overbay does not start producing at the plate, he will find himself out of a job.
Hurdle made it clear that Overbay, 34 and one of the most experienced players on the team, is running out of time.
Overbay, a left-handed hitter, was supposed to provide some power, but he was 2 for 17 in the five games before last night and has not driven in a run since July 16.
In 99 games before last night he was batting .230 (79 for 343) with only seven home runs and 35 RBIs. In the first three games of this series against the Atlanta Braves, he was 2 for 13.
Hurdle said that there is a learning curve for younger players, so the team can be a little patient with them when they struggle, but a veteran such as Overbay doesn't get that luxury, particularly with the Pirates in the midst of a division title race.
"That's where we are right now [at the point where a decision needs to be made]," Hurdle said. "Lyle's had a large volume of at-bats. We had a heart-to-heart conversation a while ago, back when he took three days off. He has enough experience in this game to understand there is a need now.
"Is there time to catch a spark? Yes, but we need to get something done sooner rather than later."
Hurdle said it is hard to put a finger on why Overbay has struggled so much offensively.
"We have obviously anticipated more [from Overbay, who was signed for $5 million in the offseason]," Hurdle said. "The thing I tell him he has control of is his work ethic and the ability to keep working at it. Sometimes, you just have seasons where it seems like it is a grind all year long, you are just pushing that rock uphill all year. I've had those and I probably think that is where Lyle is right now."
Before removing someone from the lineup, there has to be a player who can step in, and that has been part of Hurdle's problem.
First Published July 29, 2011 12:00 am
