Pirates Manager Derek Shelton Fired; Team Names Successor

PITTSBURGH, PA — After sporting one of the worst won-lost records in baseball history, Derek Shelton was fired Thursday as the Pittsburgh Pirates manager.

The Pirates announced the move on social media.

"Derek worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a lot over five-plus years. His family became a big part of the Pirates family, and we will miss that," Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said in a statement.

"He's an incredibly smart, curious and driven baseball leader. I believe he was the right person for the job when he was hired. I also believe that a change is now necessary. I wish Derek and his family all the best in their next chapter.”

Shelton's Pirates never sported a winning record and currently are in last place in the National League Central Division with a 12-26 record. With a .313 winning percentage, they are all but out of playoff contention after just over a month into the 2025 season.

Shelton, 54, had a 306-440 record across parts of six seasons that included back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2021 and 2022. His best seasons were the last two, when the Pirates produced identical
76-86 marks.

“Derek is a good man who did a lot for the Pirates and Pittsburgh, but it was time for a change,” Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “The first quarter of the season has been frustrating and painful for all of us. We have to do better. I know that. Ben knows that. Our coaches know that. Our players know that."

Pirates bench coach Don Kelly has been named manager.

“I believe strongly Donnie is the right person to manage the team right now,” Cherington said. “He has the skills and experience needed to do this job really well and deeply cares about the Pirates and Pittsburgh. I look forward to working with him even more closely.”

Kelly, a Pittsburgh native, began his sixth season as Pittsburgh’s bench coach before being promoted as the team’s new manager. Prior to joining the Pirates, the Pittsburgh native spent the 2019 season serving as the first base coach for the Houston Astros.

Kelly was an infielder and outfielder who played in a total of 585 games in the big leagues. He made his big-league debut with the Pirates on April 2, 2007. He also appeared in the postseason in four consecutive seasons with Detroit (2011-14), advancing to the World Series in 2012 while being managed by baseball Hall of Famer Jim Leyland.