A Letter to New Pirates Management

Dear Frank Connelly (new president) and Neal Huntingdon (new GM):

You fired manager Jim Tracy. I don't think he was really the problem, but when you finish under 70 wins two straight seasons I can understand if he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt. Now that there's a vacancy, there's a guy that may be looking for a job soon.

Do it. I don't care how much it costs. Do it. You saw what hiring Leyland did for the Tigers. This guy won 4 World Series out of 5 years, and has led his team to some ridiculous amount of postseason appearances in a row, the past few years with a pitching staff older than Paterno. He brought his team back from a zillion games out this year to win the Wild Card. If he's not good enough for the Yankees, damn it he's good enough for the Pirates. This is the city where an 81-81 season is a success, and a postseason appearance would incite a riot. If you want to send the message to your players and to Pittsburghers that you are serious about winning, hire this man. Please.

Love,

Steely McDonati