MPM: Does it surprise you that neither Tony Pena nor Phil Garner seemed to be on the Pirates' radar when they were in the search process?

Bob Smizik: I asked Huntington about why people like Art Howe and Ken Macha were not involved. He was very evasive. He would not address specific names. Just said they thought they got the best possible people for the Pirates' situation. I think they should have at least interviewed Macha. Pretty stupid not to. At least pick his brain.

Brent from PSU: Given that Russell was let go by the Pirates two years ago and also had a losing record as a manger in Triple A last year, is there any reason that Pirates fans should be excited about his hiring?

Bob Smizik: The losing record last year is fairly meaningless. He had an outstanding record prior to that as a minor league manager. The fact he was let go after the 03 season also is meaningless. Coaches are always let go when the manager is fired. Besides, he wasn't fired then by the people who hired him now.

Primantis: As a Pirates fan I am sick of hearing the lies at these ridiculous press conferences. Do I have any recourse? Can I sue the Pirates?

Bob Smizik: What lies?

JEWELinTheDUGOUT: Why Not Trent.....

Bob Smizik: I would have had no problem with Trent Jewett. They felt Russell was better. It's a matter of opinion. Their opinion counts.

NJ Tom: Is this just another of the Pirates' bad personel moves or is this Russel for real and if so does it really matter considering the talent that they continue to implode instead of develop

Bob Smizik: I have long been on record as believing the manager is of far less importance than most people believe. I stand by that. Look at Jim Leyland -- a three time champion then a four time loser with the Pirates. Russell will be as good as his players.

Pops 8: Jim Tracy placed a high value on his catchers being able to call pitches effectively, perhaps to the detriment of the overall defense. As a former catcher, any indication of where's Russell's leanings are regarding his catchers?

Bob Smizik: I don't know how he stands on that. I doubt he, or any other manager, would put up with the kind of play Paulino produced last year. If need be, call the game from the bench.

RussellsRenegades: Interesting that Lloyd McClendon refused to comment on the Russell hiring. Seems odd at a glance...was there bad blood at the end of their time here?

Bob Smizik: Very, very interesting. I have the highest regard for McClendon as a person. For him not to give the standard endorsement is stunning. Obviously, he doesn't think Russell was a good hire. I asked Russell today if there was a problem and he insisted there was not. Of course, he might not know about the problem.

Tony85: Do you think this is merely a stop gap hire? The organization knows they will be struggling for a few year and this way they don't have to spend much money on a big name hire. Clearly, hiring a first time manager shows little expectation to win.

Bob Smizik: You're as cynical as I am. Russell probably has a three-year contract. If he can eke out a winning season by his third year he'll have a chance for an extension. If not, like all managers, he was hired to be fired.

VA Bucco: Do you think the hiring of Russell signals the start of another "rebuilding" movement involving the trades of veterans for younger talent?

Bob Smizik: Absolutely. I wrote as much a few weeks ago. They are definitely in a rebuilding mode. There's no immediate pressure on Huntington and Russell to produce. I think they will trade at least one high-priced player -- Bay or Wilson or Nady -- this off-seaso to acquire prospects. There is not necessarily anything wrong with such a strategy.

Andre Igoudala: We know the Pirates couldn't get a "name" manager, should we be concerned that they hired a former coach who was let go, and just led the last team he managed to a 55-88 record?

Bob Smizik: As stated earlier, being let go and last year's record are not important. It does say something that they did not even interview a name manager. In both the hire of their GM and manager, they were after people with absolutely no leverage as far as salary.

Robby: Who do you think are gonna be the coaches choosen by the new mananger Bob?

Bob Smizik: I have no idea. I'm sure it will be six guys we've never heard of -- unless they bring Jewett on board as bench or third-base coach.

Anotherlousymanager: This is best they could have come up with? Appalling

Bob Smizik: He's as good as the next guy. I remind you in 10 of the 15 straight losing seasons, the Pirates were managed by men who had won a championship -- Leyland, Lamont, Tracy. Pedigree doesn't mean much. It's up to the players. The manager has a role, but it's insignificant compared to the players.

Hiplain1: It's sad to see a new coach coming in and the city couldn't care less

Bob Smizik: I don't think people don't care. Obviously, this was not a great day to pick because of all the focus on the STeelers. But sometimes you just got to name the guy and get on with it. It's not about getting attention, it's about getting started.

Pickman: In all seriousness, doesn't this hire mean much less than that of the new CEO, its GM, and the ownership's commitment financially? And unless the Pirates acquire and develop its own players, that judging Russel's managing skills isn't as tangible as other clubs?

Bob Smizik: Absolutely, The hirings of Huntington and Coonelly were far more important. They will set the tone for the organization. Russell will set the tone for the team but this team is not the one that will get the Pirates to a winning record. That is several years away -- at best.

6thDegreeWilbury: I'm hearing a lot of optimistic language coming out of the Pirates' camp. What's to say that this administration will be any different than previously?

Bob Smizik: There is nothing to say it will be any different, particularly because ownership has not changed. That being said, it would be hard to be worse than the Littlefield era. We can only hope this group will make smarter personnel moves.

Doug Sekelik: Was Tony Pena ever considered for the manager job?

Bob Smizik: Not that I'm aware of. It's possible, veteran managers were queried and none wanted to take on this job with no future.

DeerKnuckle: Bob, the paper this morning said Lloyd McClendon gave a "no comment" when asked about Russell. Is there any back story to that?

Bob Smizik: None that Russell would admit to. I'd have to say there is, although I don't know it. It is very rare for someone in McClendon's position not to give some sort of positive response. I'd say Mac doesn't like Russell.

HO HO HO: How can they expect someone from a minor league team to lead the charge? Let me guess, McClendon will come back and manage 3rd base. The quote from management said that he was the best fit. Although it is publicly known that he was the second choice. It is almost as if the Pirates want us to give up hope so they can leave.

Bob Smizik: Jim Leyland had only minor league experience when he took over the Pirates' job. It can be done. I have never heard anywhere that Russell was the second choice. Where did you get that?

Robby: Do your think Russell is going to bring former players like Craig Wilson, Kris Benson, Kip Wells to the team? He actually knows them.

Bob Smizik: No. He doesn't determine the roster. The GM does.

Doug Sekelik: What are your first impressions of Russell compared to Tracy? McLendon?

Bob Smizik: Jim Leyland was extremely unimpressive when hired. I learned a lesson from that. Don't judge a man by how he handles his opening interview. I'm all for giving Russell a chance.

Indyburgher: I wasn't exactly expecting Joe Torre to take over, but please! John Russell?

Bob Smizik: Joe Torre was a losing manager at Atlanta, St. Louis and New York before being hired by the Yankees.

Dave Parker: Mr. Smizik, you've met many managers in your career; how does your first impression of Mr. Russell compare to others you've met. i.e. Does he remind you of anybody that you've met in the way he carries himself? Obviously we're rebuilding; the question is will the players buy-in a la Coach Tomlin?

Bob Smizik: Russell is a quiet guy. He's not going to wow anybody. He can't gab like Tracy. If I had to compare him to someome, it would be Gene Lamont, who won a division title in the American League and a manager of the year award.

HO HO HO: Will McClendon manage 3rd base? I miss seeing him at the Starbucks on McKnight.

Bob Smizik: I think McClendon is pretty happy being in Detroit. He might have had losing seasons here, but I have great respect for him.

Baxter: Does it really matter who manages this team? The current talent on the team suggests 80 wins at best.

Bob Smizik: It matters very little. That's why Russell was just about as good or better than the next guy.

RC: I see this move as a vote of no confidence with Pirate baseball. When are the Pirates going to return to the "Glory Days"?

Bob Smizik: When they get better players.

Cchsvikes1: But if they are not going to show interest in spending any money on a manager then surely the trend will continue with poor activity in the free agent market... good players are not free, and that's what ownership is looking for.

Bob Smizik: The Pirates' plan is to develop their own players. I imagine they might dabble in the free-agent market but most good players don't want to come here. The Pirates need to get better on their own before they can expect free-agent help. Colorado won from within. It can be done, but not easily.

Trumpetman36: How much say do managers have in personnel decisions? Do you think Russell would want to get rid of a Bay or a Nady in exchange for prospects?

Bob Smizik: I'm sure Huntington will respect Russell's opinion, but he will make the final decision on personnel moves. I believe their plan, and I'm only surmising, is to stock the farm system by trading some of the veterans. I don't think they will let the manager's opinion change that course.

6thDegreeWilbury: Despite this hire, there seems to be a common outlook that the Bucs have no talent, yet we have 3 former All-Stars on our roster, and there are a handfull of prosepcts making headlines. Which is it? Do we have talent or are these few guys just the best we've got?

MPM: Does it surprise you that neither Tony Pena nor Phil Garner seemed to be on the Pirates radar when they were in the search process?

Bob Smizik: Three FORMER all-stars. That says it all. Remember, one guy HAS to make the all-star team. So that means nothing. Nor is there much talent on the way beyond McCutcheon. Possibly Walker. Players win and the Pirates don't have the players.