The Pittsburgh Pirates recently fired manager Derek Shelton following a lackluster start to the 2025 season, marked by a 12-26 record after a seven-game losing streak. Ace pitcher Paul Skenes expressed his lack of surprise at Shelton’s dismissal, noting that accountability is necessary given the team’s poor performance. Shelton managed the Pirates for over five years, finishing with a 306-440 record, overseeing multiple seasons with over 100 losses. Despite a slight improvement in 2023 and an identical record the following year, the team remained far from playoff contention.
In light of Shelton’s exit, bench coach Don Kelly was promoted to manager and led the team to a victory in his debut, breaking a seven-game losing streak. The Pirates managed to score three runs against the Atlanta Braves, signaling a potential turnaround. Skenes warned that without significant improvement, the season could be regarded as a failure. Thus far, the Pirates rank among the worst in MLB for both batting average and earned run average, leaving fans hopeful for a positive shift under new leadership. Upcoming games will test the team’s ability to capitalize on this brief resurgence.
