With Disappointing Season Underway Pittsburgh Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

Despite a losing 2024 season there was hope that the next season would be better. But those hopes have, so far, failed to come to fruition. With the team currently sitting with a 12-26 record it was clear that change was needed. And with another disappointing season underway, change has come as the Pittsburgh Pirates fire manager Derek Shelton. The team announced today that Shelton has been relieved of his duties as manager which was expected. Sitting in last-place in the National League Central, the Pirates have lost seven in a row and 10 of the last 11 games.

General manager Ben Cherington held a news conference at PNC Park today saying that it wasn’t one thing that led to the decision, but that the team is not performing how they need to. He elaborated on the decision saying:

“I think back to last year. As of the beginning of August, we believed that we were headed in a positive direction. We believed we were making progress. And then we had a very difficult August, and that led to a difficult end of the season last year,” Cherington said. “But as I look back at that, I felt like, for most of 2024, we were seeing that progress, and then we got kind of kicked, we got punched in the face in the last two months.”

“Ultimately, I made a recommendation to Bob (Nutting, Pirates owner) and Travis (Williams, team president) that we make this change. Bob supported that recommendation. That all happened, really, over the course of the latter part of yesterday, and I met with Derek this morning,”

Shelton came into the organization with Cherington and Williams as part of a new leadership group tasked with turning the franchise around in 2019. Prior to their joining the team the Pirates had missed the playoffs four straight years. Now that draught looks to be heading for double digits based on this season’s performance.

With Disappointing Season Underway Pittsburgh Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

Bench manager Don Kelly has been promoted to the club’s new manager. The word “interim” has not been added to the title as he will remain the manager for the rest of 2025. Cherington described Kelly’s managerial status as “permanent for 2025” and that they aren’t looking beyond that.

Nutting is happy with the choice as he had high praise for Kelly, saying:

“Donnie is as respected as any person in our clubhouse and throughout our organization,” Nutting said. “He is a Pirate. He bleeds black and gold. No one is more committed, and no one loves this team or city more than Donnie. He is the right person to manage our team and help get us back on track.”

For the team’s sake we hope Kelly can infuse some life into the clubhouse and get things turned around.

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