Pirates fire manager Derek Shelton after rough start
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Derek Shelton is leaving the Pirates. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton on Thursday, after the team is off to another woeful start on the field and is reeling from several off-field controversies.
Why it matters: The Buccos, who have the third-worst record in baseball this season at 12-26, have seen five consecutive losing seasons under Shelton's leadership.
What they're saying: Pirates owner Bob Nutting said Shelton did a lot for Pittsburgh, but "it was time for a change."
- Nutting added: "There is 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."
Pirates bench coach Don Kelly will replace Shelton.
- Team general manager Ben Cherington said Kelly is the right man for the job and "he has the skills and experience needed to do this job really well and deeply cares about the Pirates and Pittsburgh."
- Kelly has deep Pittsburgh roots. Born in Butler, he played high school baseball in Mt. Lebanon and college ball at Point Park. He was drafted by the Pirates but spent most of his playing career with the Detroit Tigers.
- He has been a bench coach with the Pirates since the 2020 season.
Fun fact: Kelly is married to the sister of Neil Walker, former Pirates infielder who is now a part of the team's broadcasters.
State of play: The team has lost seven games in a row and has the fifth lowest average home attendance in baseball at about 16,600 fans a game, according to ESPN.
- Two teams with fewer fans, the A's and the Rays, can't exceed the Pirates' attendance because they play in minor league stadiums whose total capacity is below 15,000.
Catch up quick: The team's losing record isn't its only problem this season.
- Fans regularly shout "sell the team" during games to express their displeasure of Nutting and his failure to invest in big-name talent to help the Pirates compete.
- The Pirates removed and discarded the Bucco Bricks from the sidewalk outside PNC, leading to outcry from fans. The team announced it would replace the bricks with a special wall so they wouldn't suffer as much wear and tear.
- The team also temporarily removed an outfield sign honoring Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, replacing it with an alcoholic beverage advertisement in early April. It was changed back to the Clemente sign after criticism from the Clemente family.
Yes, but: Some bright spots have emerged this season.
- Outfielder Oneil Cruz leads the National League in stolen bases with 15 and has hit an impressive eight home runs.
- Starting pitcher Mitch Keller has been one of the most consistent arms in baseball so far this season.
- Phenom Paul Skenes still has one of the 10 best ERAs in the league, despite some shaky starts.
What's next: The Pirates start a three-game home stand against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.