Notebook: McClendon found tirade didn’t accomplish anything

For fans who think he's not being tough enough on his players, Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon offered a rebuttal Saturday afternoon, pointing out that such tactics can be counterproductive.

McClendon revealed yesterday that he went on a clubhouse tirade April 28 in San Diego. The result was a bruised right foot and the start of a four-game losing streak.

The Pirates were coming off a shutout Friday night of the Padres that improved their record to 9-12. They had completed their pregame workouts Saturday afternoon when McClendon went ballistic.

'I didn't like the way we were going about our business,' McClendon said. 'Our team was not prepared to go out and play that game, and I thought our guys were taking things for granted.'

To emphasize his point, McClendon kicked a chair with his right foot. The chair flew into the air and became temporarily lodged in a ceiling panel before falling to the ground.

McClendon also was spewing obscenities.

'I used a lot of words that probably would have made my mother turn over in her grave if she heard them,' McClendon said. 'She probably never knew those words could come out of her son's mouth. It was not pretty.'

Catcher Jason Kendall confirmed McClendon's version of the story.

'He was like Satan,' Kendall said.

McClendon's point was that, despite his pregame histrionics, the Pirates did not play better. They were beaten 7-1 by the Padres that night and lost their next three games.

'I don't want my players to do anything on the field to embarrass me from a mental standpoint,' McClendon said. 'I certainly won't do anything from a physical standpoint to embarrass them. This game is hard enough that I don't need to embarrass any player on the field. When you're not prepared to the things you need to do, I'll jump their (butt), but I'll do it at the right time and the right moment.

'I guarantee you that I have the respect of my players. Anyone who thinks I'm too soft on my players is dead wrong.'

STRIKING OUT
With one-third of the season nearly complete, McClendon reiterated his displeasure with the way the strike zone is being enforced.

McClendon said there's no consistency among umpires, with some calling the high strike, others calling a low strike and some expanding the width of the zone.

'They tried to fix something that wasn't broken and they messed it up,' McClendon said.

McClendon believes proven hitters such as Brian Giles are paying a price for the inconsistent ball-strike calls.

Giles averaged 104 walks in his first two seasons with the Pirates. This year, he is on pace to draw 60.

'(The strike zone) has killed him,' McClendon said. 'He doesn't know what to swing at now. One thing about good hitters is they are patient. They aren't afraid to go deep into the count. They can't do that now because they don't know what is going to be called.'

TOUGH LUCK FOR TODD

McClendon makes a habit of talking to his players each day to gauge their mood. He planned yesterday on giving some reassurance to pitcher Todd Ritchie, who is 0-7 after 11 starts.

'From time to time, a player needs a pat on the back, particularly when he is going through tough times,' McClendon said.

For Ritchie, it's the longest dry spell of his career, and the first time since 1985 that a pitcher started the season 0-7. Jose DeLeon did it that season.

The Pirates have supported Ritchie with 24 runs in his 11 starts.

'Todd needs a win more than anything else,' McClendon said. 'Quite frankly, he's probably tired of hearing he did a great job and that everything is going to be all right. The only thing he needs is results.'