McClatchy replaced as Pirates owner

Pittsburgh Pirates board chairman Robert Nutting will replace Kevin McClatchy as controlling owner of the team.

McClatchy, who headed the group that bought the team before the 1996 season, will remain chief executive officer and in control of the club's day-to-day operations. He will report to Nutting, the pair said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.

The change must be approved by major league owners, who are scheduled to meet Jan. 17-18 in Phoenix.

Nutting is the son of Wheeling, W.Va., newspaper owner G. Ogden Nutting, whose family has been one of the Pirates' primary investors under McClatchy.

Nutting revealed Friday that his family now owns more than 50 percent - a "majority share'' - of the team, although he didn't say how long that has been the case. The front office shuffle wasn't prompted by how much of the team the family owns, however, but because of speculation about McClatchy's role and job description.

"There's been historical confusion,'' Nutting said. "What's Kevin's role? What's his relation to the Nuttings?''

Nutting said Friday's moves should signal to fans that the owners support McClatchy and general manager Dave Littlefield and their plan.

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