PITTSBURGH (KDKA 93-7 THE FAN) — Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly talked about the state of the club with Gregg Giannotti and Paul Alexander on the final day of PiratesFest.

Coonelly talked about how hard it was to see the disappointment of Pirates fans over the last few months of the season.

Coonelly added that the self-evaluation that the club performed looked at the entire season, which produced some great accomplishments, not just the final two months, and that formulated the plan for 2013.

Coonelly explained why he made the statement before the season that supported Neal Huntington and the front office. Coonelly said that the club has worked extremely hard on off-season conditioning, sending trainers to work with the players individually.

He discussed the young core going through a pennant race for the first time in their careers and the mental toll that it takes.

Coonelly explained the training of the minor leaguers, and while it is physical, the club is also trying to develop a mental edge.