After inheriting turmoil and decades of losing, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly has revitalized the clubhouse through improved communication and steady leadership.
Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Don Kelly managing his first game in the major leagues.
Kelly, promoted from bench coach after manager Derek Shelton was fired by general manager Ben Cherington following a 12-26 start, stepped in during a period of turmoil for the Pirates. The clubhouse was marked by low morale and fan frustration as Pittsburgh faced its 29th losing season in 33 years. Kelly was immediately tasked with rebuilding focus and confidence.
A year later, the outlook has shifted. Once hopeless, the situation now looks much more promising. The Pirates are 21-18 heading into Saturday night’s game against the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, having won five of their last seven games.
Kelly has settled into his role as the team's progress continues. He now confidently manages in-game decisions without feeling overwhelmed by their pace.
“I think some of it slows down when you’re talking about the game," Kelly told reporters in San Francisco. "Does that mean we’re going to make absolutely, 100% perfect decisions? We try to, and we try to beat that up before the game and talk about that after.”
Kelly’s communication skills—recognized by Cherington and the players—remain a point of emphasis in his growth. He is actively working to improve this core aspect of his leadership.
“I can’t sit here and say I have been perfect,” Kelly said. “There are things you learn as you go. I do feel like I have gotten better in some ways, but I still have a long way to go.”
Under Kelly’s leadership, the Pirates were 59-65 last season after the managerial change. Today, his overall record sits at 80-83, following Shelton’s 306-440 mark over five-plus seasons in Pittsburgh.
Reflecting on his first year, Kelly emphasized that the best advice he received from Hall of Famer Jim Leyland and other managers after replacing Shelton was to be himself—a principle he has embraced as his ebullient personality endures, even as he continues to evolve in other ways.
“I’m still learning a lot in regard to the role, communication, relationships, and decision-making,” Kelly said. “Something that has evolved is our preparation and our review every single day on decisions we make, and trying to continue to beat that up and find a way to get better every single day. It’s just something I challenge our players and staff, and I even talk to my kids about: how do you continue to get better and work every day to do that? That’s something we’ve done and will continue to do.”
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