Clint Hurdle just opened door to Pirates reunion that could be perfect for Don Kelly

Don Kelly has had moments this season when his lack of managerial experience has shown. His inexplicable decision to leave Gregory Soto in too long during Saturday's costly 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs merely serves as the latest example.

That lack of experience shouldn't necessarily be viewed as a reason for the Pittsburgh Pirates to move on from Kelly after one full season. It should, however, be a reason for them to seriously consider giving him more help.

And Clint Hurdle may have just volunteered.

A Pirates fan recently floated the idea of bringing Hurdle back to Pittsburgh as Kelly's bench coach, asking the former manager directly on social media whether he would be interested in returning in a supporting role.

Hurdle's response was brief, but certainly interesting.

"I always answer my phone when it rings."

That's hardly a declaration that Hurdle is campaigning for the job — or that the job opening even exists. But it sounds an awful lot like someone who would be willing to entertain the conversation of returning to Pittsburgh in a supporting role on Kelly's staff.

Perhaps the Pirates should consider making that call.

Clint Hurdle could provide veteran voice Don Kelly currently doesn't have beside him in Pittsburgh

Kelly has done enough in his first full season to warrant patience. He's connected well with players, helped guide an extremely young roster through injuries and stretches of adversity and, by all indications, still has the support of the organization.

But there have also been growing pains. Some of Kelly's bullpen decisions, pitching changes and other late-game choices have been fair targets for criticism. That comes with entrusting a relatively inexperienced manager with a team that entered the season expecting to contend.

The answer doesn't have to be firing Kelly. It could be surrounding him with someone who has already seen just about everything an MLB manager can encounter. Few people fit that description better than Hurdle.

Hurdle managed the Pirates from 2011-19, led them to three consecutive postseason appearances and won National League Manager of the Year in 2013. He knows Pittsburgh, understands the pressures that come with managing there and has decades of experience as a player, coach and manager.

Hurdle also did this exact job recently. After the Colorado Rockies fired Bud Black in 2025 and promoted Warren Schaeffer, Hurdle moved into a bench coach role alongside the inexperienced manager. He’s now back serving as a Rockies special assistant rather than on their 2026 coaching staff.

Most importantly, bringing Hurdle back wouldn't have to be about nostalgia. A veteran bench coach's job would be to serve as another set of eyes for Kelly — someone he can lean on when managing the bullpen, navigating matchups or making difficult late-game decisions. Hurdle's presence wouldn't need to undermine Kelly's authority or turn into some awkward manager-in-waiting situation. The roles would simply need to be clearly defined.

If the Pirates believe Kelly is their manager for 2027 — and there is little reason to believe otherwise — then their priority should be putting him in the best position to improve. Experience will naturally make Kelly a better manager, but Pittsburgh doesn't have to make him learn every lesson by himself.

Hurdle's response doesn't mean a reunion is coming. But it does mean the Pirates might already have the perfect veteran voice waiting to answer the phone.

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