Washington (AFP) – Derek Shelton was fired as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday after a 12-26 start to the Major League Baseball season and seven consecutive losses in May. Shelton went 306-440 in just over five seasons guiding the Pirates, who were never better than fourth in the National League Central division under the 54-year-old American.
“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 said. “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. There’s a lot of baseball left to be played. We need to act with a sense of urgency and take the steps necessary to fix this now to get back on track as a team and organization.”
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The Pirates have only reached the playoffs six times since winning the 1979 World Series and have missed the post-season nine years in a row, their only playoff advancement in 46 years coming in a 2013 one-game wild-card playoff. “Derek worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a lot over five-plus years,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said. “I believe he was the right person for the job when he was hired. I also believe that a change is now necessary.”
Pirates bench coach Don Kelly was named manager of the Pirates, who own the third-worst record in MLB. “Donnie is as respected as any person in our clubhouse and throughout our organization,” said Nutting. “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.”
Kelly was in his sixth season as a bench coach for the Pirates. He had previously served as a first base coach for the 2019 Houston Astros. Kelly, 45, played for the Pirates in 2007 and also played for Detroit and Miami before retiring in 2016.
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