The Ax Finally Falls

5-8-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X

It’s finally happened. After 746 games at the helm where he lost 440 of them, Derek Shelton is officially out as skipper of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What Comes Next?

Well, for starters, Don Kelly has been named the interim manager after working as Shelton’s Bench Coach since 2020. He may have a bit of deferred blame given his predecessor’s recent exit by virtue of not being Shelton, as well as connections to the city (Mt. Lebanon alum and also brother-in-law of Pittsburgh Kid himself, Neil Walker) and experience playing for the Pirates back in 2007.

Does it change much on expectations moving forward? Probably not. The season is pretty well sunk at this point and it’s just a matter of how far the ship goes below the surface before we hit our rock bottom.

Secondly, given the repeated promises of commitment to “his guy,” Ben Cherington is not following Shelton out the door – at least, not yet anyway.

General Managers are rarely fired during the season so fans may have to weather the rest of 2025 with Cherington at the top but his seat has never been hotter.

Shelton being ousted could bring about change in the clubhouse morale but the players aren’t going to suddenly turn into the 1927 Yankee’s Murderer’s Row, slugging the ball all over the field. Fans are understandably upset and, for better or worse, the front office has responded accordingly.

Is it enough? Will the team be more watchable this year?

Man, I hope so. They sure can’t be much worse….

Right?