Macha Hopes Bucs Target Him

Shaler native hoping Pirates target him as manager
Thursday, September 08, 2005
By Paul Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two of the people thought to be at or near the top of the Pirates' wish list to succeed Lloyd McClendon, fired Tuesday as their manager, had much different initial reactions to their names being mentioned for the position.

Ken Macha, manager of the Oakland Athletics, headed off any discussion when approached by Bay Area reporters. "I'm not answering any questions about Pittsburgh," the Monroeville resident said. "I have job here in Oakland right now."

"Right now" are the key words. Macha doesn't have a contract with Oakland for next season.
Art Howe, a Shaler native, was a bit more expansive when contacted yesterday. "I've heard they're close to becoming a winning ball club," he said from his home near Houston. "With the right ingredients, good things should happen there. Hopefully, I'm part of the ingredients."

The Pirates have indicated they want McClendon's successor to have had major-league managerial experience, and Howe certainly fills that bill. He's spent 14 seasons managing Houston, Oakland and the New York Mets, compiling a 1,129-1,137 record.
His stint with the Mets was the only one that didn't go well.

"Interesting," Howe said of his two seasons at Shea. "I learned they don't rebuild in New York."
The Mets, who spent a lot of money on players who underperformed, were 66-95 and 71-91 in Howe's two seasons. He was let go after last season with two years -- and $4.7 million -- left on his contract.

That could work in his favor. If Howe is hired for 2006, that team probably wouldn't have to pay his entire salary for the first year. The Mets could pay part of it just to be free of their entire obligation.
"It could be a good situation for everybody," Howe said.

Howe, who played for the Pirates in 1974-75, began his big-league managerial career in 1989 with the Astros and developed a young team into a contender.
Except he was gone by the time Houston began winning.

When Drayton McLane bought the team, he brought in Terry Collins as manager in 1994. When the players' strike ended the season in early August, the Astros were 66-49.
"I knew they were ready to take the next step," Howe said. "I told Drayton that."
In '97, the Astros began a run of four division championships in five seasons. By then, Howe was with Oakland.

"We really started from scratch in Oakland," he said. But by '99, the Athletics were in position where they would finish first or second in the American League West the next four seasons.

Thus, it wouldn't bother Howe to inherit a team counting on young players for success.
"I've been there with young teams," he said. "I know the Pirates are on the rise. With a little time and hard work, good things can happen. I know they have some real fine arms, which is the most important ingredient."

Howe stressed that he hasn't heard from the Pirates about their managerial job. "I would hope they have interest in me -- as I do in them. It's nice to hear [his name being mentioned] and that people haven't forgotten me."

The Pirates have indicated they won't really begin their managerial search until after the season ends Oct. 2.

However, they're already getting free advice.

"That club needs somebody with the experience level to take the organization to another level," a high-ranking official with a big-league team said. "They're not that far away. And there aren't too many guys out there who fit [the job description]."

Howe is one. Jim Leyland, who managed the Pirates from 1986-96, is another. Leyland, though, will be like Howe. He'll sit by his telephone waiting for a call.
Former managers with the status of Howe and Leyland don't look for jobs. The jobs look for them.

(Paul Meyer can be reached at 412-263-1144.)