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Pittsburgh Pirates made a change at the helm on Thursday and relieved Derek Shelton from his managerial tasks more than a month to a chaotic season.
The pirates fell to 12-26 after a race loss to St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday. The front office decided to take a step.
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Pirates Manager Derek Shelton talks to Judge Mike Estabrook during the San Diego Padres game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
“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 is an incredibly smart, curious and driven baseball leader. I think he was the right person for the job when he was hired. I also think a change is now needed. I wish Derek and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
Pirates Bench coach Don Kelly was appointed Shelton’s replacement.
“Derek is a good man who did a lot for Pirates and Pittsburgh, but it was time for a change,” said Pirates chairman Bob Nutting. “The first quarter of the season has been frustrating and painful to all of us. We have to do better.
“There is a lot of baseball left to be played. We have to trade with a sense of urgent character and take the necessary steps to solve this now to get back on track as a team and organization.”
Pirates Manager Derek Shelton stands in Dugout during the San Diego Padres game in Pittsburgh, Friday 2. May 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pirates Fan speaks for the 1st time as terrible falls over the wall at PNC Park
Shelton took over as manager in 2020. He was 306-440 and never won more than 76 games.
It’s been a rocky year from the jump for Pirates.
The organization took plenty of flak to remove a tribute to Roberto Clemente in the right field early last month. The team was thrown back into the limelight as a fan fell from the right field seats on the warning track last week.
The organization then disciplined a worker who came into battle with an instantist before a game. A video of this shift appeared earlier this week.
Pirates Pitcher Caleb Ferguson, Center, waiting with teammates for manager Derek Shelton to pull him from the San Diego Padres game in Pittsburgh, Friday 2. May 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The season is still in its infant, and Pirates has the players to turn all year round.
