Jim Tracy had little to say yesterday on his first full day of being the Pirates' former manager.

Tracy spoke briefly barely 24 hours after being told late Friday morning by Pirates president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington that he had been relieved of his duties.

"I greatly appreciate the honesty and the integrity that Neal and Frank displayed during the course of our conversations," Tracy said.

Coonelly and/or Huntington met with Tracy a few times in the week after the Pirates season ended a week ago.

Tracy, who is owed about $1 million by the Pirates because he had a season left on his contract, didn't say what he planned to do over the next year.

There are managerial openings in Kansas City and Cincinnati. There could be managerial jobs open in Philadelphia and St. Louis. And New York Yankees manager Joe Torre could be gone if his team doesn't rebound against Cleveland in its American League Division Series.

Tracy received permission Friday to inform each of his coaches -- all of whom also will be gone one way or another -- before Huntington made a follow-up call to each.

"He seemed fine," hitting instructor Jeff Manto said of Tracy's demeanor. "It wasn't [because of] the people. It was the situation."

The Pirates won only 67 and 68 games, respectively, in Tracy's two seasons as their manager. That stretched their consecutive losing-seasons streak to 15.

"I think [Coonelly and Huntington] did a fair evaluation," Manto said. "I thought it was a great way to do it. I'm not offended in any way."

Manto, who like the rest of the departing coaches will be paid through Oct. 31, is unsure of his plans.

"This is the first time I've been through this," he said. "I thought it would be more turbulent, but it's easier than I thought it would be.

"I truly believe in what I do and how I do it. I'm very secure in what I know and what I do. People on the outside know what I do.

"If I was insecure, I'd be nervous."

Banister in charge ... for now

Brian Graham, the Pirates' minor league director, also was fired Friday.

That left Jeff Banister, the team's minor league field coordinator, in charge for now.

Banister is running the Pirates' Instructional League operations in Bradenton, Fla. Seventy minor-league players are in the Instructional League, which ends Oct. 17.

"I told our guys this is the nature of the business," Banister said. "We're here to develop these players. That's what the players signed up for. That's what [the staff] signed up for. We're going to do our jobs.

"I'm taking care of 70 kids and making sure we hold together."

Banister received phone calls from Huntington Friday night and yesterday morning.

"He talked about changing the landscape -- who we are and where we're going," Banister said.

Would Buck stop here?

Here is perhaps a long-shot candidate to manage the Pirates: Buck Showalter, 51, is a senior adviser to Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro, for whom Huntington was a special assistant.

Showalter formerly managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. He twice won the American League Manager of the Year award and has a career record of 882-833.

Showalter has an out-clause in his contract, which he can trigger if he has a chance at a manager's job.

Cards check out LaCava

Oakmont resident Tony LaCava, who interviewed for the Pirates' general manager's position, reportedly is on the St. Louis Cardinals' radar as a possible successor to dismissed general manager Walt Jocketty.