Pirates fire McClendon during 5th losing season

PITTSBURGH - Lloyd McClendon was the first Pittsburgh Pirates manager brought back after four consecutive losing seasons. With a fifth such season looming, 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, lost again Tuesday night 4-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in 12 innings to drop to 55-82.
"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."
Despite being 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.

Source: http://www.chron.com/