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Pirates hire John Russell as manager
By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
Nov 5, 2007 - 1:12:56 PM

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PITTSBURGH - John Russell is taking one of the most challenging jobs in baseball as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team with 15 consecutive losing seasons.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jose Castillo (14) rounds third to greetings from coach John Russell after hitting a homer against Cincinnati in this April 25, 2004, file photo. Russell, let go by the Pirates only two seasons ago, will succeed Jim Tracy as Pittsburgh's manager, a source told The Associated Press Saturday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Let go by the Pirates as their third-base coach two seasons ago, Russell was hired Monday to succeed Jim Tracy as Pittsburgh's manager. He becomes the team's fifth full-time manager since the Pirates last had a winning season in 1992, following Jim Leyland, Gene Lamont, Lloyd McClendon and Tracy.

The 46-year-old Russell lost his previous job in Pittsburgh following McClendon's firing in September 2005. He managed the Phillies' Triple-A team the last two seasons, with the Ottawa Lynx going 55-88 last season.

It's unusual for a team to bring back someone so soon after firing him, but new team president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington felt an instant connection with the quiet but intense Russell.

"I felt like I was talking through them," Russell said. "All the things they're looking for are what I'm looking for. I know what we've got will work."

Russell's hiring is the first major move by Huntington, who took over with 10 days left in the regular season. The Pirates spent nearly a month looking for Tracy's successor and had been the only remaining team in the majors without a manager following the Dodgers' hiring of Joe Torre.

The Pirates settled on Russell on Friday, after being told by Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell that he wasn't interested. The Pirates delayed their search until they could talk to Farrell following the World Series. Farrell once succeeded Huntington as Cleveland's director of player development.

Russell's hiring is something of a surprise because he was let go as a coach by the same team that, after only a few weeks under new leadership, has decided he's a better fit as the Pirates manager than he was as their third-base coach and catching instructor from 2003-05.

"Two years ago was two years ago," Russell said. "It's a different time. What happened back then was back then."

At the time, Russell was unpopular among some Pirates fans because of the high number of runners that he waved home who were thrown out at the plate.

Russell has already worked with a number of players on the Pirates' roster, and is convinced the club is closer to winning than its 68-94 record of last season suggests.

"I think we have a great core of players right now," he said. "We have the pieces to win now. It's just a matter of getting the passion, the accountability, the attention to detail. That's what works. My role and the staff's role is going to be huge and we're going to be diligent, but I like what we have."

Russell pointed to young starters such as Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm, Ian Snell and Zach Duke, good speed and defense, and proven hitters such as Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez as a core to build around.

The Pirates are also believed to have talked with Triple-A Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett, plus Chicago White Sox bench coach Joey Cora and Indians third base coach Joel Skinner.

Russell, a former major league catcher who caught one of Nolan Ryan's no-hitters, spent eight years as a Minnesota Twins minor league manager. He interviewed with the Phillies for their manager's job following the 2004 season and with the Nationals after last season. He has a 666-647 record in 10 seasons as a minor league manager.

"Absolutely, I think I'm ready for this," he said.

After interviewing with Washington last year, he said his strength was developing players for the majors.

"I can get the players to get the best out of themselves," he said. "I've really been able to get a team atmosphere."

Russell became a Pirates coach after leading Edmonton to the Pacific Coast League title in 2002. He was chosen by Baseball America as the best managerial prospect in the minors after that season. The publication also chose him as the best Double-A managerial prospect in 1999.

Russell played for the Phillies, Braves and Rangers from 1984-93, hitting .225 with 34 homers and 129 RBIs in 448 games. A career backup, he never played more than 93 games in any season.

Tracy was fired with one year left on his contract after his teams lost 189 games in two seasons. The Pirates have had 15 consecutive losing seasons, one short of the major league record, and have lost at least 94 games each of the last three seasons.


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