Pirates Insist Nate McLouth Trade Not Financially Motivated

McLouth's Trade To Braves Leaves Some Questioning Pirates' Commitment To Win

TIME TO WALK THE PLANK: In Pittsburgh, Laura Keeley reports Pirates fans' "displeasure was everywhere" during Thursday's home game against the Mets. A group of fans "drove nearly 75 miles to protest" the trade of McLouth, an All-Star last season, while three signs in the outfield "ridiculed the deal and called for the trade" of Pirates GM Neal Huntington (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/5). A PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE editorial states the McLouth trade "breaks faith with the fans, who were the lead partner" in building PNC Park in '01. However, the "talent on the field has yet to measure up, while each successive Pirates executive says only the same thing: next year, next year, next year." The editorial: "You don't build a contender with a revolving door. You don't put a face on a team with players who are here one year and gone the next. It's time Pittsburgh baseball had ownership worthy of the game" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/5).

DOLLARS & SENSE: In Atlanta, David O'Brien reports high-ranking Braves execs reiterated the rational that the release of P Tom Glavine on Wednesday was "unanimous and made solely for competitive reasons." Braves Chair & CEO Terry McGuirk: "All of our player personnel (officials) made a unanimous decision to go in the other direction, of youth. That's good enough for me." However, Red Sox P John Smoltz insinuated that the decision was "financially motivated and that the treatment of his former teammate 'ain't right'" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 6/5). Smoltz: "Like a lot of things lately, they handled it -- let me just say, in a very interesting way. One that leaves you scratching your head." When asked if the move was financially motivated, Smoltz said, "I know too much. Put it that way" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/5). Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan: “Of course it was about business, the $1M matters to them" (“Around the Horn,” ESPN, 6/4). ESPN's Jim Rome said the move is "low class considering who he is and what he’s meant to that franchise.” But ESPN Radio’s Erik Kuselias asked, “Are the Braves supposed to write him a seven-figure check when they don’t think that he can help?" ("Jim Rome Is Burning," ESPN, 6/4).

Print This Article