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Kevin McClatchy, who put together the group that bought the Pittsburgh Pirates to keep it in the city, has sold his shares and resigned from the board of directors.

The 45-year-old, who resigned as chief executive officer and managing general partner at the end of the 2007 season, purchased the Pirates for $90 million in 1996 and never had a winning team. He won the bidding after cable-television franchise owner John Rigas didn’t complete the purchase.

“While this move will mark the end of Kevin’s direct involvement with the Pirates after more than 13 years, he will always remain a part of the Pirates family,” Chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement on the team’s Web site. “He has made a lasting positive impact on the Pirates and our city.”

McClatchy’s seat won’t be filled, leaving the board at five members, the Major League Baseball team said yesterday. He said it was a personal decision to sell his remaining stake and step down.

“I have a great amount of faith in Bob and his new leadership team,” McClatchy said. “They are committed to restoring the organization to its rightful place among the elite franchises in Major League Baseball.”

The Pirates had five managers and just two finishes higher than fourth in the National League Central Division during McClatchy’s tenure. His biggest success was getting the city and state to build a $262 million baseball-only stadium that opened in 2001. PNC Park attracted 2.4 million fans in its first year, the 17th most in baseball.

Nutting took control of the club from McClatchy in January 2007 when the owners of baseball’s 30 clubs voted in favor of the switch.

Nutting, part of the group that purchased the franchise, has increased his stake in the franchise as McClatchy has sold his shares.

The club, which has recorded 16 consecutive losing seasons, didn’t say who bought McClatchy’s shares.

(Source: Bloomberg)