Twisting in the wind

Another day, another national outrage. Paul Hagen of Knight Ridder has this take on the Pirates' season to date:

JEERS For the Pirates. They're letting manager Lloyd McClendon twist in the wind as a lame duck by not exercising his 2006 option. That sends a signal that the organization isn't fully committed to the manager, and that's never a good thing.

Just one week into the season, fans were already screaming that he should be fired. And uncertainty over his future can only undermine his authority in the clubhouse. If general manager Dave Littlefield was so unsure, he should have brought in a new guy to start spring training. This creates an unnecessary distraction.

McClendon, sixth among all big-league managers in seniority, has so far taken the high road.

"Some people were calling for my head the day after I took the job," he said. "It's part of the deal. You just go on about your business and stay committed to the things you're doing."

Nice mixed metaphor in the first line. Corpses "twist in the wind," as when they've been strung up and left as an example to others. Has management lynched McClendon by not signing him for 2006? And who hangs a "lame duck"? Do hunters leave their birds to twist in the wind, as an example to other ducks?

But, whatever. He's exaggerating, I think. Do we need to worry about McClendon having his authority undermined?