Rasmus, who said he didn't watch the World Series because he never does, was voted three-quarters of a share and will get a ring. But for the Blue Jays, Rasmus, in essence, did nothing. In 133 at-bats — some of them affected by a ligament injury to his right hand, an injury he suffered when he ran into a wall — he had just a .173 average, three home runs, no stolen bases (in zero attempts) and just five walks to go with 39 strikeouts. He did turn heads when he cracked a homer off the facing of the second deck in Oakland, but Rasmus' play largely was nondescript for the Blue Jays.

Hurdle, whose Pirates opened their exhibition season here Saturday against Rasmus' Blue Jays, said being that "can't-miss" guy isn't easy.

"It can be challenging," Hurdle said. "The easiest thing for the media to do and for us in the industry to do is throw out a label like 'this kid has unlimited potential.'

"What does that mean?" Hurdle said. "How do you wear that and how do you get ready for that?

"The best advice I can give anybody is you've just got to back away and you've to find your balance — who you are. I'm not sure I ever got back to it because that window is short.