Notebook: Mackanin rates low his chances of promotion

WWith only 24 games to prove his worth, interim manager Pete Mackanin realizes the chances are slim he will be elevated to take Lloyd McClendon's spot full time. "I've always wanted to manage in the big leagues," Mackanin, 54, said. "But I'm pragmatic about the whole situation. I read the papers. I know there are a lot of names, and only 30 of these jobs in baseball. I'd love to have this job. ... But I'm also pragmatic about it. "Hopefully, I can make a good enough impression. The only way I can make a good impression is if everyone plays fundamental baseball and shows improvement."
Shortstop Jack Wilson was named the Pirates' winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, given for humanitarian service. Wilson is a finalist for the national 2005 Roberto Clemente Award, which has been awarded to one Pirates player, Willie Stargell in 1974.
Rookie left-hander Zach Duke, the two-time NL Rookie of the Month, is anxious to return to the mound. He will start Friday at Cincinnati in his first appearance since spraining his left ankle Aug. 23. Duke, who is 6-0 with a 1.81 ERA, threw 50 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday. "Hopefully, I can get back into it and find the rhythm again," he said. "The ankle feels fine. It's just going to be a matter of getting my endurance back." Another returning left-hander, Oliver Perez, will start Sunday at Cincinnati. Pirates pitching coach Spin Williams said Perez, who hasn't pitched since late June (toe), might be used out of the bullpen for an inning in today's game. "I'm happy to return," Perez said. Outfielder Jody Gerut said it will be about one more week before he returns from a right knee injury.
The Pirates are on pace to lose 100-plus games, but some of the club's minor-league affiliates are bidding for trophies. Three Pirates farm teams were scheduled to open postseason play Wednesday night, and another is on the verge of clinching a playoff berth. Indianapolis (78-66) plays Buffalo (Indians) in the Class AAA International League playoffs, while Class AA Altoona (76-66) meets Akron (Indians) in the Eastern League, and Class A Lynchburg gets Frederick (Orioles) in the Carolina League. Class A short-season Williamsport needs one win in two games against Staten Island (Yankees) to secure a wild-card berth.
he Breakfast of Champions has an appropriate cover. Late Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente is pictured on a new Wheaties special-edition package (see Freeze Frame, C26). The boxes of the toasted whole wheat flakes will be available nationally this week. The unveiling was part of MLB's Roberto Clemente Day, in which all clubs playing home games paid tribute to the fallen Hall of Famer. Roberto Clemente Jr. , whose father died in a New Year's Eve 1972 plane crash transporting relief to Nicaraguan earthquake victims, threw out the first pitch yesterday.
Hitting coach Gerald Perry served the second game of his eight-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field conduct Bob Watson and upheld this week by MLB vice president John McHale Jr. The suspension was the result of Perry's altercation with St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan during batting practice Aug. 24 at PNC Park. "All I can do is live with it, serve it and put it behind me," Perry said.

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