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GamblingTips · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 33

The Pittsburgh Pirates canned manager Lloyd McClendon on Tuesday as somebody had to pay for the lackluster play of the last place Pirates. This season will mark the 13th consecutive losing one and general manager Dave Littlefield had to make the move.

They were given a new stadium just last year and have a ton of young talent, but unfortunately this did not translate into victories. While the Pirates have repeatedly fielded teams with marginal prospects and low-paid free agents since winning the 1992 NL East title, when McClendon was a platoon outfielder, their first concerted youth movement in years might have led to his firing.

The Pirates have debuted seven rookies since the season began, including unbeaten left-hander Zach Duke (6-0) and center fielder Chris Duffy (.341), and general manager Dave Littlefield clearly wasn't happy with their development.

Since being 30-30 on June 11, the Pirates have lost 52 of 77 to all but assure themselves of a fourth season of 90 or more losses since 1999 -- and, in turn, McClendon's firing.

The question now is who will manage the Pirates next season. Bench coach Pete Mackanin will run the team the rest of the season, but managing general partner Kevin McClatchy wants a manager with major league experience. Littlefield will evaluate the team the rest of the season, then hire the new manager.

One of baseball's top candidates, Jim Leyland, wants to manage again, and close to his Pittsburgh home. Leyland managed the Pirates from 1986-96, but asked out of his contract so he could go to a contender. Leyland won the World Series a year later with Florida but quit managing after the 1999 season with Colorado.

Next on the hit parade has to be Allan Trammel and his assistants, who have been a major bust in Detroit. Last night two fans were ejected by the home plate umpire, for shouting obscenities, at the one time superstar player Trammel, who has fallen out of grace with the Tiger fans.

The Tigers have plunged a season-low 10 games below .500, and Trammell said, "It's time for the troops to dig a little deeper and find out what we're made of. It's pretty much the low point in the season for me. ... I think we're losing some focus -- that bothers me."

They have been outscored 37-7 in September and have scored one run in the last 27 innings. Hitting coach Kirk Gibson and bullpen coach Lance Parrish former teammates of Trammels are cashing a paycheck these days and that’s about it.
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