Former Lynx Coach (FLC) John Russell probably didn’t hesitate when the call came from Pittsburgh last fall, but one wonders if he isn’t just a little uncertain now, some six months later.  The Pirates have had fifteen consecutive losing seasons.  Fifteen.  Presumably no one is looking at John as the entire “answer”, and expectations that this team will make the playoffs are probably quite low, but the new skipper will still face a great deal of scrutiny.

“The difference I need to make is in the clubhouse and on the field,” Russell said. “Accountability is the backbone of what we’re going to do. There is going to be accountability.

“There’s going to be attention to detail. We’re going to try to win, and we’re going to try to win today. I’m going to be accountable for what happens — myself and my coaching staff and the players. That’s one of the things I’m going to instill in them. If we do it right, we’re going to win more games. It’s worked for me in the past.”

So far this spring, they’re 9-15 - but as they say, it’s just Spring Training.  And it’s reassuring to know that players, and not all of them his, have a great deal of confidence in his abilities.

(David) Ortiz, now an All-Star with the Boston Red Sox, became one of several former Miracle players under Russell in 1996-97 to reach the majors. Others include Torii Hunter, A.J. Pierzynski, Jacque Jones, Corey Koskie, Mark Redman and Doug Mientkiewicz, who’s with the Pirates, trying to make the team as a utility player.

“He hasn’t changed,” Mientkiewicz said of his manager’s demeanor and style. “He’s exactly the same. He’s in the perfect spot.”

“He has that quiet confidence that a manager needs to have,” said Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer, who played for Russell in 2002 at Triple-A Edmonton. “He never blew up at people. There’s different styles. Not one way is right, not one way is wrong.”

Count Cuddyer and Ortiz as players who like Russell’s style.

“Russell is my man,” Ortiz said. “He’s my man. He was one of the best managers I’ve ever had. He makes it fun.

“He’s a guy who doesn’t talk too much. But he makes you feel comfortable. I knew that he was going to be at the major league level as a manager one day. He doesn’t talk too much, but he says everything that needs to be said. I was happy for him. He knows what’s going on.”

(emphasis mine).