PITTSBURGH -- Though it was a decision Kevin McClatchy said he made a few months ago, the Pirates' chief executive officer made the official announcement on Friday that he will be stepping down from his position with the team effective at the end of the season.

"Somebody asked why, and I keep referring to what John Madden said," said McClatchy, who has been a cornerstone of the organization since 1996. "John Madden said, 'You get about 10 years in the frying pan and then burnout can take place.' It was the right time for me to make that change. And at the same time, I think it's the right time for the team."

McClatchy said Friday that the timing of the announcement was to allow the organization ample time to find a replacement. Ideally, the Pirates would like to have a new CEO in place shortly after the end of the season to quicken the transition period and to allow McClatchy's successor to have an influence over the team's offseason spending and decisions.

Leading the search process for a replacement will be Pirates chairman of the board Bob Nutting, who replaced McClatchy as the team's principal owner during the offseason. Other than reiterating that the search process will be an internal one and will begin immediately, Nutting did not want to set a timetable or discuss certain specifics regarding the search process. And at this time, it is too early to begin speculating on possible candidates, he said.

"I don't want to draw a box around or limit the candidate," Nutting said. "It's important that we look at a broad array [of people] and that we get the right person who is going to commit to Pittsburgh, who understands the plan we have in place and who is going to be able to guide this team through."

McClatchy became the Pirates' principal owner before the 1996 season, leading an ownership group that played a large role in ensuring that the Pirates would remain in Pittsburgh. At the time, McClatchy was the youngest owner in baseball, and he held the position as the Pirates' managing general partner until Nutting became the principal owner and McClatchy took the title of CEO last January.

In his 11 seasons leading the organization, McClatchy played a key role in the plans to build PNC Park, as well as bringing the All-Star Game back to Pittsburgh last year. Also during his tenure, McClatchy helped guide the revitalization of the North Shore and increased the Pirates' involvement in the Pittsburgh community.

McClatchy also recently accompanied MLB president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy to China as a handful of Major League Baseball executives visited the country with the goal of finding a way for MLB to open the 2008 season with exhibition games there. The Pirates, led by McClatchy, appear to be one of the teams most interested in being a part of those games in China.

However, even with all of the contributions that McClatchy has made to the organization during his 11 seasons running the day-to-day operations, he has never been able to lead the Pirates to a winning season. Despite all that he accomplished, McClatchy said that, like the fans, he has been disappointed that up to this point, he hasn't accomplished that goal.

And while his decision to step down was based largely from a personal standpoint, McClatchy said that the lack of the Pirates' success during his tenure also partially dictated a need for a change.

"I don't think you can ever disregard team performance and say that had nothing to do with it," McClatchy said of his decision to step down. "Obviously, you look at the wins and losses -- [it has] been disappointing to me, and at the same time, I take responsibility for that as the CEO of this organization. I think that's part of the reason why change will be embraced.

"Our fans are terrific. I don't ever blame the fans for their frustration. The only thing that I would say is that I don't think the fans always know how frustrated I am and how much I truly wanted to win. I think if they ever had a sense of that it might change their opinion a little bit."

Nutting then added that he is hopeful that all of the contributions McClatchy has made to the city won't be forgotten once he leaves and won't be overshadowed by the team's lack of success.

"I hope Pittsburgh takes an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments that Kevin has had here with this organization," Nutting said.

Both Nutting and McClatchy also said they believed that it was important to let Pirates fans know that Friday's announcement was in no way a sign that the team has waved a white flag this season. The two said that they have been encouraged by the team's improved play lately and are looking forward to watching a successful second half of the year.

"If in any way I had given up on the season, it would have been a resignation effective immediately," McClatchy said. "It's not that way. I have a lot of faith that this team is going to continue to improve."

McClatchy said that he has not decided what he plans to do following the end of the season. However, don't expect his loyalty to the team to waver after this year. He'll be back next season. He may just have a new seat this time.

"I hope to get a chance to sit out there with Ross Morgan and the Left Field Loonies and enjoy a baseball game," McClatchy said. "No question about it."