Kevin McClatchy

I don't have a problem with this guy. He's talking sense as far as I'm concerned.

When it comes to assigning blame for 13 consecutive losing seasons, I blame the players. It's their fault. With notable exceptions, they have underperformed year after year. But they have been young. Young enough to let the opportunities of a lifetime slip from their grasp, fall to the ground, and break into a dozen worthless pieces.

Some of the players get it. Others don't. I'd say, most of them don't. A player inclined to blame anyone but himself has greater temptation to do this if he plays for the Pirates. It is hard to distinguish yourself at this level of play, and most players fail. And it's easier to fail when you have so many ready excuses.

The ownership and front office have not done everything right. They definitely share in the blame. Maybe 15% of all this failure can be attributed to their incompetence and inexperience. The rest of the blame goes on the shoulders of the players who came here and failed.

One other thing. My hunch: there will be no major-league baseball in 2007.