PITTSBURGH — There’s an undeniable optimism about Don Kelly. His approachable nature and evident positivity are reflective of a man who’s spent over twenty years crafting a remarkable journey. From a small liberal arts college in the heart of Pittsburgh to a nearly decadelong stint as a versatile MLB player, Kelly relied on intellect more than raw talent to secure his place in the majors.
Now, he’s embarking on a new, but equally challenging mission: revitalizing his hometown team’s struggling season. The Pittsburgh Pirates, currently dwelling at the bottom of the standings, are in a precarious state on and off the field. Stepping into this tumultuous scene, general manager Ben Cherington has relieved Derek Shelton from his managerial duties, appointing Kelly as the new interim manager to instill some vigor into the squad.
For Kelly, a native who grew up just five miles from Three Rivers Stadium and once trick-or-treated at Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland’s house, this opportunity is both humbling and thrilling. As he drove to PNC Park on Friday, ahead of a series against Atlanta, a mix of excitement and mild anxiety set in. However, these feelings are likely to dissipate soon as Kelly, now 45, endeavors to extract more from a roster that hasn’t lived up to the organization’s expectations at the start of the season.
Kelly acknowledged the Pirates’ disappointing 12-26 record but expressed optimism for potential improvements. “There’s a lot of opportunity for growth, there’s a lot of opportunity to get better,” he remarked. The team’s predicament offers nowhere to go but up, as they entered the weekend on a seven-game losing streak and trailing the playoff spot by ten games, mainly due to lackluster offensive performances.
Shelton’s dismissal didn’t come as a surprise, even to those like the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes, who hasn’t been around the majors for long. “At the end of the day, someone’s got to be held accountable,” Skenes commented. “But I don’t know that it fixes the root of the issue, which is we need to play better.”
Kelly’s journey began at Point Park University, located just across the river from PNC Park. His collegiate summer league experience led the Detroit Tigers to draft him in 2001. Over nine seasons, he played for multiple teams, including the Pirates, displaying his adaptability by filling various roles as needed. After retiring in 2016, Kelly transitioned to scouting and then coaching, eventually returning to Pittsburgh in 2019 as a bench coach.
Facing around 120 remaining games this season, Kelly remains uncertain about the level of impact he can bring but is dedicated to maintaining his authentic approach in communicating with players now viewing him differently. “When players know you care about them and the team, you care about winning, that’s what it all ties back to,” he said.
Pirates icon Andrew McCutchen appreciates Kelly’s game insight but recognizes that change won’t happen just by switching managers. “He’s going to do his job,” McCutchen noted. “But ultimately, it’s the team on the field that has to perform.”
The path to salvaging the 2025 season is unclear. Some injured key players, like Spencer Horwitz and Nick Gonzales, are on the mend, offering hope for assembling the originally envisioned lineup. However, the timeline for their return remains uncertain, beyond Kelly’s control. What he can influence is the tone within the clubhouse, aiming to rejuvenate the team’s spirits.
On his first full day in the new role, Kelly challenged the Pirates to rediscover the joy of the game lost amidst the dismal spring. When asked about the prospects of improvement, Kelly, who frequently finds himself admiring the city skyline from a dimly lit PNC Park post-game, candidly replied, “I guess time will tell. I don’t exactly know.”