Pirates' three-point plan continues to pay dividends

After the Pirates' 2012 collapse, GM Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle knew they needed to come up with a new plan if they wanted to end the city's misery and, more importantly, keep their jobs. So they met at Hurdle's suburban Pittsburgh home and, out of desperation, decided to go all-in on a plan Hurdle called the most aggressive program he'd ever been around. Three years later that blueprint not only has ended the franchise's record streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons and been a job saver but also has provided the organization with a model for continued future success.