PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pirates extended manager Lloyd McClendon’s contract through 2004, dampening speculation that he could be fired if Pittsburgh doesn’t post its first winning season since 1992.

General manager Dave Littlefield made the announcement Friday, saying team officials are pleased with the direction McClendon is taking the team in his third season as manager. The team has an option to retain McClendon through the 2005 season, Littlefield said.

McClendon said Friday he was happy with the contract extension and never had any concerns about his job security.

“I went out there, did my job like I was supposed to and my bosses felt like I was doing a good job,” he said in Houston before Friday night’s game with the Astros.

“I was moving this team in the right direction and they wanted me to continue to be a part of it. I am very appreciative for that.”

Pittsburgh entered Friday in fourth place in the National League Central with a record of 40-48, six games behind division-leading Houston, where the Pirates were opening a series on Friday. Pittsburgh had won 15 of 24 going into the series with the Astros.

“Lloyd has shown strength and determination in his leadership abilities,” Littlefield said.

“He’s been an asset to the Pirates by helping us make steady progress at the major league level and overall improvement through the organization.”

In three seasons, McClendon has a record of 174-237. The extension was something of a turnaround from the end of last season, when the Pirates said McClendon would return this season, but would not be offered a contract extension.

He also had all but two of his coaches fired or reassigned.

McClendon has been part of the Pirates organization for 13 years, joining the team as a player in 1990. In 1996, he became a minor league hitting coordinator, rejoining the Pirates as a hitting coach the following year. He became manager after Gene Lamont was fired following the 2000 season.

“The fact is David certainly had options and he had choices,” McClendon said. “I was his choice.”

AP-ES-07-11-03 1723EDT