Perhaps it takes a true Pirate to fully grasp the Pirates' plight, to fully appreciate what it might mean to end a decade and a half of losing.

Take Rich Donnelly, explaining on the day he was hired as a minor-league advisor this week, what it means to be back with his employer from 1986-96 ...

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PirateFest

• What: 18th annual PirateFest.
• Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.
• When: 4-9 p.m., Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4-p.m. next Sunday.
• Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, free for children less than 30 inches in height. They can be bought in advance by phone at 1-800-BUY-BUCS or online at pirates.com.

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"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of Francisco Cabrera, and I have unfinished business," Donnelly said. "That was something I'll never forget. My goal is to somehow help the Pirates get beyond that point."

Such sentiment alone will not win games, of course, but team president Frank Coonelly apparently sees the value in infusing much of what once made the Pittsburgh Baseball Club proud into its present and future.

Consider the team's ...

• Hiring of Chuck Tanner as a special assistant to general manager Neal Huntington.

• Adding Sid Bream, Carlos Garcia and Donnelly -- tangible links to the Pirates' winning days -- to the developmental system.

• Inviting back Bill Mazeroski, Bill Virdon, Kent Tekulve and Manny Sanguillen as instructors at spring training.

• Implementing an alumni autograph session as part of PirateFest next weekend and for every Thursday home game during the coming season.

• Including alumni in charity functions, such as when Tekulve and Steve Blass last month accompanied Coonelly and Huntington to serve breakfast at a Light of Life mission. (Video: Pirates serve homeless 12/10/2007)

• Celebrating the Lumber Company with a series of bobblehead giveaways this year that will include Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Al Oliver, Richie Hebner, Richie Zisk and Sanguillen.

All of the above except the spring invitations are new and, as Coonelly put it, this "has not been by accident." It began with observers inside and outside the organization imploring him to take such action, and it culminated in an open-arms welcome.

Coonelly seems to see it less as nostalgia and more as motivation.

"It is a reflection of our effort to change the internal culture of this organization," he said. "It is critical that everyone in the organization, including current Pirates players, understand the pride and passion these former Pirates have for this organization. By their direct involvement in the club and presence in the community, they will constantly remind us that we will succeed as an organization, not as individuals."

• San Diego general manager Kevin Towers still is looking for a corner outfielder, as he made clear in two interviews Thursday, but there have been no fresh talks between the Padres and Pirates regarding Jason Bay or Xavier Nady.

• The Pirates initially made up their minds to approach Adam LaRoche about a long-term contract even before the Winter Meetings in early December. Part of the reasoning: Huntington values ballpark factor as a measuring tool, and LaRoche's left-handed power bat represents a terribly rare commodity all through the organization.

• Although Coonelly was Major League Baseball's ace counsel on arbitration matters, he will not handle the Freddy Sanchez case for the Pirates. That will be done by Larry Silverman, the team's chief legal man and contract negotiator.

• Sixty-four players have been invited to spring training, and that list is expected to grow slightly.

• Only two current Pirates will have bobbleheads next year: Tom Gorzelanny and Matt Capps.

• The live acts for the SkyBlast nights will include REO Speedwagon and Collective Soul. The third act was to be PovertyNeck Hillbillies, but the local country band's breakup last week will force a change.

• The final phase of the Winter Caravan goes through Erie and Franklin tomorrow; Latrobe and Indiana, Pa., Tuesday; Butler and Altoona Wednesday; and Johnstown and Du Bois Thursday. On board are Jack Wilson, Zach Duke, Nyjer Morgan and pitching coach Jeff Andrews. Check www.pirates.com for details.

• Only 25 days until pitchers and catchers report.