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Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton After 12-26 Start to Season

Bench coach Don Kelly steps in as interim manager as Pittsburgh seeks to address ongoing struggles during a decade-long playoff drought.

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Clayton McCullough #86 manager of the Miami Marlins and Derek Shelton #17 manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates meet prior to the game at loanDepot park on March 27, 2025 in Miami.
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Team owner Bob Nutting of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on from the dugout before a Major League Baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 15, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Cubs 3-2. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Derek Shelton, who managed the Pirates since 2020, was dismissed after a 306-440 record and no postseason appearances during his tenure.
  • The Pirates are off to a 12-26 start in 2025, currently in last place in the National League Central following a seven-game losing streak.
  • General manager Ben Cherington and team owner Bob Nutting cited the need for urgency and a reset to improve performance as reasons for the decision.
  • Don Kelly, a Pittsburgh native and the team’s bench coach since 2020, has been named interim manager and is described as a respected figure within the organization.
  • Critics argue that the franchise's low payroll and broader organizational challenges, rather than managerial leadership, are the root causes of the Pirates' struggles.