Pirates fire Manager John Russell

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Manager John Russell was fired Monday by the Pittsburgh Pirates, one day after the team finished 2010 with the worst record in the major leagues.

Russell, 49, was the Pirates' manager for three seasons, compiling a 186-299 record. Pittsburgh was 57-105 this season, finishing last in the National League Central, 34 games behind the Cincinnati Reds.

Pittsburgh General Manager Neal Huntington, in a statement, praised Russell as a "quality baseball man and a good friend," but "in the end, we decided that new leadership in the clubhouse would give us the best opportunity to move the Major League team forward."

Russell was hired Nov. 5, 2007, by Huntington because of his ability to coach players but in 2010, the Pirates were last in the National League in batting average (.242), earned run average (5.00) and fielding percentage (.979).

The 105 losses represent a franchise record and Pittsburgh was just 17-64 on the road this season. This year marked an 18th consecutive losing season for the Pirates.