Pirates Surprisingly Fire GM Neal Huntington as Purge Continues in Pittsburgh
By Thomas Carannante
Rejoice, Pirates fans! The house has officially been cleaned.
Pittsburgh, not too long after dismissing manager Clint Hurdle and president Frank Connelly, has completed the trifecta after its fanbase was surely worried it wouldn't happen.
General manager Neal Huntington has reportedly been fired.
Can confirm the Pirates are firing GM Neal Huntington with two years left on his contract, as @JMackeyPG just reported.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) October 28, 2019
Clean sweep, albeit in an unusual order: manager Clint Hurdle, president Frank Coonelly, GM Neal Huntington.
The manner in which this was handled was indeed peculiar, but would it be any different for the Buccos? Fans should at least be thrilled it happened and that the organization is looking for a new direction and culture. However, that won't be easy under an owner like Bob Nutting.
It seems like we're practically dealing with the Mets here, if you ask us.
The Pirates have cleaned house. Here's what we know on Neal Huntington: https://t.co/9zKnt5gZeN
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) October 28, 2019
Huntington had been with the organization since the 2007 offseason, and had two year remaining on his current contract. Under his guidance, the Pirates broke their infamous postseason drought, winning two playoff games in 2013 but falling in the NL Wild Card Game the two seasons after.
Things took a turn for the worse after their last playoff appearance. Attendance in Pittsburgh went from almost 2.5 million in 2015 to under 1.5 million the last two years. The Pirates managed just one season with a winning record -- just three games above .500 -- over the last four campaigns.
We know Nutting is the problem at large here, but owners don't fire themselves. At the very least, the Pirates ridding themselves of Huntington helps turn the page and set up a fresh organizational start.