Blast from the Past: Pittsburgh Pirates Part Ways with Manager Derek Shelton
Pirate Player, Paul Skenes, Bluntly Speaks on Manager's Dismissal: "It's Time for Someone to Take Responsibility"
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest sports headlines gracing the screens of Foxnews.com. Today, we're talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates and their managerial shakeup.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, after a dismal start to this season with a 12-26 record, bid farewell to their manager, Derek Shelton. It's been a rocky tenure since the team made a brief postseason appearance a decade ago, but with young talents like Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and others, the Pirates have consistently fallen shy of expectations[1].
"We're 12-26. Someone's gotta be held accountable," admitted star player Paul Skenes to the press, acknowledging the move[2]. However, Skenes remained skeptical about how much a managerial change would address the underlying issues, pointing out that the success ultimately lies with the players themselves.
General Manager Ben Cherington released a statement, praising Shelton for his hard work and sacrifices over five-plus years. Cherington believed Shelton to be an intelligent, curious, and driven baseball leader when he was hired. Despite this, he acknowledged that a change was necessary in light of the team's current predicament[3].
Shelton's replacement is none other than bench coach Don Kelly[2]. In a change that reflects a sense of urgency, Chairman Bob Nutting emphasized the need for immediate action to revive the team and reestablish its standing as a contender[2].
The Pirates, despite their struggles, were in contention last summer before finishing 76-86. Although the specific reasons behind Shelton's dismissal are multifaceted, one thing is clear – the team is determined to get back on track and make a comeback.
Stay tuned for more sports updates as the baseball season unfolds.
Sources:
- SNY Media. (2025, May 10). Pittsburgh Pirates fire manager Derek Shelton, name Don Kelly interim replacement. Retrieved from https://www.sny.tv/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/pittsburgh-pirates-fire-manager-derek-shelton-name-don-kelly-interim-replacement
- TribLIVE. (2025, May 10). Pittsburgh Pirates fire Derek Shelton, name Don Kelly as interim manager. Retrieved from https://triblive.com/sports/pittsburgh-pirates/pirates-fire-manager-derek-shelton-name-bench-coach-don-kelly-as-interim-replacement/
- ESPN. (2025, May 10). Pittsburgh Pirates fire Derek Shelton, promote Don Kelly to interim manager. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36844948/pittsburgh-pirates-fire-derek-shelton-promote-don-kelly-interim-manager
- CBS Pittsburgh. (2025, May 10). Pittsburgh Pirates fire manager Derek Shelton, name Don Kelly as interim replacement. Retrieved from https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2025/05/10/pittsburgh-pirates-fire-manager-derek-shelton-don-kelly/
The Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball team, have parted ways with their manager, Derek Shelton, following a disappointing start to the season. The team is now looking towards bench coach Don Kelly as their interim replacement, in an attempt to turn their fortunes around.
