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PITTSBURGH -- John Russell strolled into the press conference room at PNC Park minutes after the Pirates' victory over the Yankees on June 24. He stepped onto the stage, sat down and folded his hands. The look on his face was blank and in no way suggesting that Russell had just become the first Pittsburgh manager to defeat New York since Danny Murtaugh in 1960.

The next night, Pittsburgh was shutout by New York. But there Russell was again, with the same posture and the same poker face.

Russell, who just completed the first half of his first year as a Major League manager, takes that same approach every day. The 47-year-old former big league catcher believes in consistency and patience over a 162-game schedule.

"You can't be one guy one day and somebody else the next day, because you're going to get lost eventually," Russell said.

It's that reason, among others, why Russell has been given rave reviews by the organization's management, coaches and players after the first 94 games of the 2008 season.

"You have to have that," infielder Doug Mientkiewicz said of Russell's consistent persona. "You [have] got 25 different personalities and 25 different guys you have to motivate. He definitely knows how to push my buttons and get the best out of me."

It's easy to see that Russell's quiet, yet determined approach is beginning to wear off on his young ballclub.

Last season, they finished with 31 come-from-behind wins -- 15 wins in their last at-bat -- and were 43-38 when scoring first.

Those numbers would suggest that Russell has instilled new fight in this team.

"Watch the difference in the way this team plays the game," said Mientkiewicz, who has played for six different Major League clubs. "I think they're taking on his personality. He's a calming influence on everybody. He never gets too excited on the bench and we definitely feed off that."

One device Russell uses frequently is the "look." Mientkiewicz said Russell employs it when someone commits a mental mistake or acts disrespectfully on the field.

"I think a lot of the guys are starting to get that," Mientkiewicz said. "I've gotten that look many a time. It really, really cuts to the bone. It makes you want to smack him. It definitely gets the best out of you."

Russell said he picked up the motivational tool at a young age from his father.

"He gave me that awfully disappointed look," Russell said. "To me that's worse than him yelling at me.

"I guess some guys have told me I do that," Russell added with a rare smile, "but I don't really know I do it."

And not many people are realizing the long strides Pittsburgh is beginning to take with Russell at the helm.

The Pirates are 29-22 at home this season. And if it weren't for a 3-9 record against the first-place Cubs, the team would be sitting at .500.

But more importantly, Russell's players are beginning to buy into management's change of culture. By walking around the Pittsburgh clubhouse, you can sense a closely connected group that is extremely upbeat.

"I think it's really taking hold," Russell said. "I think the players are grasping our concept and playing the game right. Our record is still, obviously, not where we want it to be, but I think we're headed in the right direction. Hopefully that will equate to more wins."

"I think he's been good for us," closer Matt Capps said. "He's kind of a quiet leader. He doesn't say a whole lot, but when he does talk he has everyone's respect. I think he's done a good job. Baseball decisions and off-field decisions, I think he's handled professionally."

Mientkiewicz anticipates that the only thing that will break Russell from his shell would be a World Series championship. But until that moment comes, the first-year skipper will continue to grow in his new position.

"The day I stop [learning] is the day I need to quit," Russell said. "I always thought that as a player, that if you can't continue to learn, the game is going to pass you by.

"You have to change with it, continue to learn and grow with it. There are a few more things at this level that you have to learn."

is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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