"Malcolm "Mac" Prine learned to love baseball in the 1950s and '60s, when he was a fast-pitch softball player in Columbus, Ohio. Decades later, he reconnected with the game as president of the Pirates and helped launch the franchise toward three straight division titles.

Prine, 83, who earlier this year was diagnosed with lung cancer, died Tuesday in hospice care.

Prine became the Pirates' president in 1985 when Ryan Homes, of which he was chief executive, became part of the team's ownership group. In November 1985, Prine hired Leyland as the club's 33rd manager. Leyland guided the Pirates to National League East crowns from 1990-92."