John Russell is now Pittsburgh Pirates’ new manager after the parts agreed Monday on the move that replaced the fired Jim Tracy in an attempt to revitalize a franchise that hasn't had a winning season since 1992.

Russell, who worked for the Pirates as a third-base coach and a catching instructor as well, has a quite notable resume. Besides working as manager for the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, he also has 10 years of minor-league managerial experience.

"John has been extremely successful getting the most out of his young players in his 10-plus years of managing. He will ensure that our players continue to improve at the major league level and play with the pride and passion we, and you the fans, expect of them,'' GM Neal Huntington said in a letter to fans posted on the team's Web site.

Russell, who played with three major-league teams from 1984-94, has a 666-667 record with three first-place finishes and one league title in 10 seasons as a minor-league manager in the Minnesota and Philadelphia organizations.

The 46-year-old manager takes under his lead a team that went 135-189 the last two years. His predecessor, Jim Tracy was shown the door after he led the Pirates to a National League-worst 68-94 record.

Upon his retirement as a player, he became a Minor League manager for the Minnesota Twins. In 1999 he was named as the best Double-A managerial prospect by Baseball America. He left the Twins organization after the 2000 season. He interviewed with the Philadelphia Phillies for their vacant managerial spot, but the job would go to Larry Bowa.