Pittsburgh Pirates News: Don Kelly Interviews with Detroit Tigers

According to Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic, Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Don Kelly has interviewed with the Detroit Tigers for their managerial position

One of the first moves Derek Shelton made after the Pittsburgh Pirates hired him to be the team’s new manager was hiring a bench coach. The bench coach he hired was Pittsburgh native, and former Pirate utility man, Don Kelly.

When Kelly was hired to be the bench coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates it was a move that drew positive reviews from people around baseball. Kelly is seen by many as a future MLB manager, and was someone we had as a name to watch when the team let go of Clint Hurdle last September.

Well, Kelly’s time as a MLB manager could be coming sooner rather than later. According to Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic, Kelly has interviewed with the Detroit Tigers for their open managerial position. This job become open when Ron Gardenhire retired following the 2020 season.

Kelly being a candidate for the Tiger job should come as no surprise. Not only because he is viewed as a future MLB manager and soon, but due to his ties with the Tiger organization.

For six seasons Kelly was a super utility man with the Tigers, these six seasons were 2009 – 2014. During this stretch, Kelly played a role in multiple Tiger postseason teams. In 1157 plate appearances with the Tigers, Kelly hit for a .234/.297/.340 slash line to go with a 74 wRC+.

In Detroit, Kelly was a fan favorite. He was also a favorite of former Tiger, and Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Jim Leyland. In fact, Leyland was one of the first people to say Kelly would be a MLB manager one day.

When Kelly’s playing days were done, before becoming an on field coach for the Houston Astros he worked in the Tiger organization as a scout. So, he certainly has plenty of ties to the Tiger organization.

Stay tuned here at Rum Bunter for all and any other news that breaks involving Kelly and the Tigers.