MLB

Pirates’ Rookie Manager Don Kelly Earning Contract Extension for 2026 as Club Stays Competitive

Since taking over as Pittsburgh Pirates manager in May, when Derek Shelton was relieved of his duties, Don Kelly’s club has a 50–51 record.
Pirates’ Rookie Manager Don Kelly Earning Contract Extension for 2026 as Club Stays Competitive
Joey Bart of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with manager Don Kelly after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 11, 2025. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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With 23 regular season games left on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2025 schedule, management still has time to do the right thing. The club’s rookie manager Don Kelly has earned a contract extension for 2026.

Forget that Pittsburgh is in the National League Central basement at 62–77. Disregard that the Pirates are 23 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Ignore those “Sell the team, Bob” chants heard early and often at PNC Park directed at Pirates’ chairman of the board Bob Nutting during home games. Erase all the negativity surrounding baseball in Pittsburgh. There is hope on the horizon in Western Pennsylvania.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.