Here's some of the fire and pep I think many of us wish JR would display once in a while, provided by the State College Spikes' Gary Robinson:

http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/08/rumors/video-minor-league-manager-ejected-autographs-first-base-and-gives-it-to-fan/

While this is not a "Gary Robinson should replace John Russell" promo, I would like to see JR get the hatchet in the off-season.

Which is why I thought it'd be fun to discuss who you'd like to see replace JR. My vote would be to go after someone who's not only got ML managing experience, but also has experience working with young, burgeoning players, on a team that's building a champion.

My choice would be to try and lure Eric Wedge into Pittsburgh. Eric is an Indiana native, not sure where he lives now, but he once called Cleveland home.

In 2003, he finished with 68 wins, by 2005 his team won 93. His 2007 team lost to Boston in 7 games in the AL Championship, but also earned him 2007 Manager of the Year. His '03 team had 3 starters older than 26, including 22yo CC Sabathia, 25yo Jake Westbrook, 24yo Cliff Lee, 24yo Victor Martinez, 25yo Ryan Ludwick, 25yo Milton Bradley, 21yo Jhonny Peralta, 22yo Brandon Phillips, and 29yo rookie Casey Blake. Sure the Indians were loaded back then, but look how many players churned out great years under and since him. He's  the perfect fit for a team like the Pirates that will be adding raw young talent, year-after-year for the next 3+ years.

To top it off he's only 1 year removed from the MLB, and is only 42 yo.

The last thing I need to add is that he was a minor league manager for the Indians in the 5 years prior to managing the ML team. So, the discussion I've read on here about promoting the Indianapolis or Altoona manager (from within the organization), may be another option, since each has had a chance to manage future Pirate starters.