PITTSBURGH -- Kevin McClatchy will remain as the Pittsburgh Pirates' chief
executive officer and managing general partner, even though the franchise
hasn't had a winning season since he took control in 1996.

McClatchy, whose family owns one of the nation's largest newspaper chains,
formed the group that bought the Pirates for approximately $95 million in
1996. Since then, another newspaper chain owner, G. Ogden Nutting of
Wheeling, W.Va., has acquired the majority stake in the franchise.

There was speculation when the Pirates were 30-60 at the All-Star break that
McClatchy might be asked to step down at the end of the season. McClatchy
declined repeatedly during the second half of the season to speak about his
future.

The Pirates played above .500 after the break, going 37-35, but even that
improvement enabled them only to match the record of 67-95 they had in 2005.

"The board and the partnership group are completely supportive of Kevin and
his executive team," said board of directors chairman Bob Nutting, the son
of G. Ogden Nutting. "We've made great strides on the business side of our
organization and we're extremely encouraged by the team's performance during
the second half of the season."

McClatchy said in a statement issued by the team that he is as frustrated as
the fans are with all the losses. The Pirates last had a winning record in
1992, also the last time they reached the postseason.

Despite playing in a ballpark that was funded largely by tax dollars, the
privately held Pirates do not reveal how much profit they make.
Revenue-sharing money paid by larger market clubs and other income, such as
advertising, is believed to have been enough to cover the team's
approximately $47 million payroll this season even before ticket revenue was
added.

McClatchy's focus will continue to be improving the on-field performance.
The Pirates have had 89 losses or more eight times in 11 seasons since
McClatchy's group bought them.

"I am committed to leading this organization to success in all aspects of
our business," McClatchy said. "There is no question our on-field record has
been extremely frustrating and disappointing for everyone in the Pirates
organization. But we've worked very hard over the last several years to
improve."

Besides running the Pirates, McClatchy is a member of Major League
Baseball's executive council and the labor and international committees.

With McClatchy's return now official, the Pirates are not expected to make
any major non-player personnel moves despite being a combined 56 games under
..500 the last two seasons. General manager Dave Littlefield and manager Jim
Tracy are under contract for two more years apiece.

The Pirates did shuffle some titles Wednesday without making any significant
personnel changes.

Jim Plake was promoted to executive vice president and chief financial
officer after previously being a senior vice president and CFO. Dennis DaPra
was named senior vice president and general manager of PNC Park; his title
previously was vice president of PNC Park operations and facilities
management. Tim Schuldt was named vice president and chief marketing and
sales officer; his previous title was vice president of marketing, sales and
broadcasting.

"Willie" <musicman@jukebox.net> wrote in message
news:arSdnbMRZ-f6H7nYnZ2dnUVZ_rmdnZ2d@comcast.com...

***Yeah right, as he makes his $$$ deposit in the bank!
***Cry me a river Kevin.


**MLB's baseblall equivalent of "don't ask, don't tell!"
**McClatchy and Nutting - SLUMLORDS OF MLB!



***Goodbye Jack Wilson, Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez. Your salaries in a year
or so will eat away at our profits but we'll bring in new talent (cheap) and
veteran talent (Aged, worn out players - ie: Burnitz).


*** NO SHIT! They made a profit, the stadium is paid for, why improve?


***Kevin McClathy was promoted to Vice-President in charge of passing out
KY-Jelly to the Pittsburgh faithful.

What a piece of shit organization!