Reliever Rick White is the only one of the Pirates' current players to have worked under new manager Jim Tracy, and he freely allows it was not much of an experience.

For one, it lasted only one spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004.

For another, it ended with Tracy informing him he was cut.

"No fun," White called it.

Even so, White spoke effusively yesterday of how Tracy handled that day in the manager's office and why he felt that might translate well for him and his teammates next season.

"Jim was apologetic and understanding, but he also came right out and explained every part of why they weren't keeping me," White said. "And, you know, that's something I saw all through camp. He was always talking to players, letting them know where they stand. I appreciated that. You always want the manager to be up front with you."

Some of the Pirates' players did not feel that way, White added, under Lloyd McClendon.

"Not to take anything away from Lloyd. I have a lot of respect for him. But that was what most of the rumblings in the clubhouse were about, that there wasn't that communication you need. Guys felt intimidated, maybe. Hopefully, you'll have a situation now where guys can feel more comfortable, relax and let their talent take over."

He cited the team's 12-14 record down the stretch after interim manager Pete Mackanin replaced McClendon Sept. 6.

"Look how much better we played," White said.

Most of the Pirates have not played for any other organization, so their knowledge of Tracy's strategies and philosophies is limited to little more than how he handled the Dodgers in a series or two this past season.

There was, however, a nearly unanimous sentiment expressed yesterday that Tracy's reputation as a communicator will be welcome.

"It's a pretty important asset, especially with a group like ours," rookie center fielder Chris Duffy said. "The players want to know what the manager thinks. With Lloyd, you pretty much had to figure that out on your own. Jim Tracy's known to talk to his players, and that makes guys happy."

"Personally, I'm the kind of player who needs a manager who can communicate," starter Dave Williams said. "I went up to Pete Mackanin at the end of the year and thanked him for always letting me know what he thought. The season's a grind. You have to know. For our team to get a guy like Jim Tracy, I think that's going to make a difference."

At the PNC Park news conference to introduce Tracy, managing general partner Kevin McClatchy equated the hiring with that of a "major free-agent signing," and Williams used a similar analogy.

"With the path we've taken the past four or five years, it's nice to have somebody who's been there, who can show us what it takes to win. We've got a lot of talent, man. We just needed that last piece, and this might be it."

Tracy repeatedly stressed communication and accountability with players in his various interviews yesterday, making clear that his approach includes regular and bluntly honest interaction.

"When a player is not doing something I want to see, I'm not going to shout and scream about it or come to you with it," he told reporters. "But I am going to make very sure that player hears it from me."

General manager Dave Littlefield said that one of his priorities in choosing a manager was his ability to relate to players, and he rated Tracy as "outstanding" in that regard.

"I feel very confident that will be a big part of his approach," Littlefield said. "And I feel that way because it's been a big part of his success in the past."

Tracy was 427-383 in five years with Los Angeles, and he guided the Dodgers to the National League West Division title a year ago.

Those credentials seemed to resonate loudly with the Pirates' players.

"He's a winner," outfielder Craig Wilson said. "In talking to guys who have been with the Dodgers, they would say they enjoyed having him as manager. He works hard at what he does, he talks to them, and you can see that their pitching and fundamentals always have been strong. With the talent we have, I don't see any reason why he can't continue his successful run here."

"Anytime you've got someone with his track record, and you see management goes out and gets someone like that, it kind of gives us the sense that, 'Oh, they really want to see us make the next step,' " starter Zach Duke said. "I think everybody should be excited."

"This is going to be great for Pittsburgh," third baseman Freddy Sanchez said. "Jim Tracy has had a lot of success, and he's done it with young guys. For us to get all that experience, it's a tremendous boost, I think."