Littlefield will hear cheers, boos

The normal buzz that accompanies most news conferences was replaced by a strange, respectful hush. A subdued tone that matched the lighting in the room in PNC Park that the Pirates use for their public announcements.

Soon enough, Dave Littlefield will hear the noise. Cheers, if he's lucky, and boos, most definitely. Soon enough, the voices of praise and criticism will rise in western Pennsylvania, and he will be forced to deal with it.

But for one day - his first day as Pirates general manager - all was proper and quiet.

The sounds of silence came with the understanding of almost everyone present that the job Littlefield has accepted will not be easy and will produce much frustration before yielding any reward.

It was also a reflection of the man, who seems to lack the requisite arrogance that is practically mandatory for such positions. He might resemble Vince McMahon, but he's a polite Vince McMahon.

Certainly, with the Pirates he has a lot to not be arrogant about. Nine consecutive losing seasons. A field manager he's inherited who was not of his choosing. A team nearer to sixth place than first in the National League Central Division.

And then there is that sense out there that the Pirates can't afford top-notch free agents, can't attract elite players, and simply can't win for losing. It's hard to imagine the perfect person to fix such a situation; it's even hard to imagine there is such a person. Anyone willing to try has earned a measure of respect.

'It's definitely challenging, but I'm attracted to that,' Littlefield said yesterday.

He also told his audience, 'Perception may not be reality.' By that he meant that just because the Pirates are struggling now does not mean positive things are not happening. As an example, he cited the fact that the Pirates have some pitchers who probably should be in Triple-A, but are taking their lumps in the majors instead.

A similar situation a couple of seasons back in Florida (where Littlefield was assistant general manager before being picked by Kevin McClatchy) has resulted this year in the Marlins having the best young pitching in the National League.

That sounds suspiciously like the party line, and so did his almost obligatory words of praise for the turnarounds concocted this season by the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins. If they can do it, so can we, was something the owner said when he fired Littlefield's predecessor.

Actually McClatchy talked yesterday about 'winning and sustaining winning,' a goal most small-to-mid-market teams find beyond reach. Even small-to-mid-market teams with nice new stadiums.

Littlefield talked about 'high upsides' and all the 'positives' connected with this franchise. But, he was quick to add, although he understands the patience required to guide this team on the 'small steps' needed for true progress, he also wants 'to get it going as quickly as possible.' (What• No five-year plan?)

He presents himself as a realist - which is what you figure a good scout would have to be - rather than a miracle worker. One of his role models is David Dombroski, the Florida GM who assembled, dissembled and reassembled the Marlins. He also cited Felipe Alou, who scouted, nurtured and managed the raft of talented players who have passed through the Montreal Expos organization in the past 15 years.

Say what you will about Dombroski and Alou, one thing in their favor is all of their accomplishments have taken place away from Pittsburgh. If nothing else, Littlefield brings a fresh perspective to a team that has been plagued by organizational inbreeding.

'Sometimes, the view from different positions (in an organization) is not the total view,' he said.

That will be his job - to get the total view. He should be well prepared. He was the kind of person who rose through the ranks from youth league coach to college assistant, to pro scout and, finally, team executive. He did this, not by calling attention to himself, but rather to his work.

'I always believed if you do your job and try and be as productive and efficient as possible, smart people will recognize you.'

He will be recognized now, that's for sure. You can't hide in a job like this. And you only get to escape the noise for one day.

Bill Modoono is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.