Pirates fans are realizing what Don Kelly sacrificed to stay in Pittsburgh

Don Kelly is a Pittsburgh guy. He led Mt. Lebanon to a state title and played for Point Park. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates and got his first big-league hit at PNC Park. He is still haunted by watching the Pirates fall in the 1992 NLCS when he was 12 years old. And his latest revelations about jobs he turned down and opportunities that passed him by show just how deep his love for the city and the franchise runs.

According to MLB.com’s Jason Mackey, Kelly turned down at least six interviews for managerial roles because he “felt like the best thing for [his family] was to be in Pittsburgh.” Choosing family over other paths, Kelly and his wife Carrie — who happens to be Neil Walker’s sister — are raising their three sons in nearby Mars, Pa. What could have been a risk has given Kelly everything he’s dreamed of and could be the key to success for the Pirates this year.

Devotion, loyalty, stability, sacrifice — all the qualities Kelly exhibited by remaining as the Pirates’ bench coach for five seasons — are what make clubs, particularly those without a boatload of star power, great. Sure, the great Pirates teams of years past were stacked with Hall of Fame talent, but they also were based on family.

Don Kelly turned down multiple managerial opportunities to stay in his hometown of Pittsburgh

Kelly is now bringing his family-first, Pittsburgh-first ethos to managing. In his article, Mackey cites several players, including Pirates veteran Bryan Reynolds, who appreciate Kelly’s ability to understand the game, his players, and the work and to communicate directly.

Newcomer Ryan O’Hearn has offered a glowing endorsement of his new manager and has indicated that Kelly helped draw him to Pittsburgh. It’s this gift of gab with a straight-talking delivery that led TV networks to attempt to draw Kelly to the broadcast booth.

It remains to be seen whether Kelly’s emphasis on truthfulness and family will guide the Pirates out of the basement of the NL Central, but his devotion to the team and the city cannot be questioned. Kelly loves Pittsburgh; let's just hope the baseball gods love Kelly just as much.