LYNX: RUSSELL'S TIME ABOUT TO COME

A major-league managing job has been a long time coming for John Russell, the former catcher who piloted the Ottawa Lynx this season.

Now it looks like Russell will get his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are due to announce the replacement for Jim Tracy (another ex-Lynx skipper) on Monday. Russell's earned it. He doesn't have name recognition and he isn't the type whom sportswriters bang the gong for (Russell is a polite, accommodating guy, but kind of quiet). He has proved his mettle in both Triple-A leagues, particularly in Edmonton and in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he took teams to titles. If he gets the Pirates job, it will be well-earned.

Related:
Pirates manager: Russell the choice? (John Perrotto, Beaver County Times/Allegheny Times)