Last-place Pirates give pink slip to manager McClendon

PITTSBURGH -- Lloyd McClendon was the first Pittsburgh Pirates manager brought back after four consecutive losing seasons. One loss away from a fifth such season, the Pirates decided they wanted someone else running the club.

McClendon, an aggressive former player known for his competitiveness and frequent run-ins with umpires, was fired Tuesday after averaging more than 90 losses since 2001 for a perennially non-contending team.

Bench coach Pete Mackanin will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.

The talent-thin Pirates, who only this season began a concerted effort to rebuild with youth, are an NL-worst 55-82 following a 4-2, 12-inning loss Tuesday night to Arizona.

The Pirates held a club option on McClendon for 2006 and, after an encouraging start that got them to .500 at 30-30 on June 11, they talked to him about next season. But they have since lost 52 of 77 and appear headed for their fourth season of 90 or more losses since 1999, despite having players such as Jason Schmidt, Jason Kendall, Brian Giles and Jason Bay during that time.

"The way we've played the last three months hasn't been up to our capabilities," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "We have higher expectations with the players we have. We should be performing better."

Fired from his first managing job, McClendon said he plans to -- and expects -- to manage again, and hopes to be back in the majors in some capacity next season.

"I'm 46 -- there's a lot of managing left in me, about 20 years worth," he said.

This season isn't an anomaly for the Pirates -- they have not had a winning season since taking the NL East in 1992 with Barry Bonds in their lineup and assured themselves Tuesday of a 10th consecutive losing season under managing general partner Kevin McClatchy's ownership group.

However, 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 Littlefield clearly wasn't happy with the younger players' development.

"We've been losing two of every three games -- that's not acceptable," Littlefield said. "We haven't been performing relative to our talent level. It became evident we needed to try something different. It wasn't working. ... We were underperforming."

The Pirates have lost five straight, 10 of 11 and 15 of 19. They also have lost nine in a row at home, their longest streak since PNC Park opened in 2001. As a result, the players could see the firing coming, and many are waiting to see what's next.

Barry Bonds tussled with pitcher Jason Christiansen in the clubhouse lunchroom at SBC Park earlier this season in a dispute about one of the slugger's trainers, another player told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The player, who witnessed the June altercation but spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to talk publicly about an incident between other players, said Christiansen was frustrated with Harvey Shields, Bonds' personal stretch man now employed by the team.

"I don't think punches were thrown," the player said. "It was more grabbing. It was regarding one of Bonds' trainers, Harvey."

Shortly after the scuffle, Bonds left for Los Angeles, where he spent more than two months rehabilitating his troublesome right knee following three operations since Jan. 31. The 41-year-old slugger, third on the career home run list, rejoined the Giants on Monday for their game at Dodger Stadium and hoped to be activated this week.