The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to make a splash this season, bolstered by some key offseason additions. At the helm for his first full season is manager Don Kelly, who’s already making headlines with his passionate defense of the team. During a recent matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, Kelly faced his first ejection of the season, showcasing his fiery commitment to his players.
The Pirates, aiming to rebound after dropping the series opener, held a 6-3 lead as they entered the bottom of the eighth. Reds’ Eugenio Suarez found himself quickly down 0-2 against lefty reliever Hunter Barco.
The tension rose when Barco's high fastball seemed destined for the strike zone, leading Suarez to initially think he had struck out. However, a check-swing appeal to the first base umpire reversed that assumption, keeping Suarez at the plate.
Kelly, convinced the call was off, voiced his displeasure with a pointed "watch the game" directed at home plate umpire Jordan Baker. Baker, showing little tolerance for Kelly's critique, promptly ejected him. This sparked a heated exchange, with Kelly passionately arguing his case before exiting the field.
The frustration stemmed partly from the lack of a consistent appeal process for check-swings, even in the era of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. Despite the setback, Kelly's ejection seemed to ignite the Pirates, who rallied to add two more runs in the ninth, securing an 8-3 victory and leveling the series.
Postgame, Kelly shared his perspective with SportsNet Pittsburgh, emphasizing his commitment to standing by his players. "I’m going to have our guys’ backs," he stated, highlighting the importance of unity and support in crucial moments.
This marks Kelly’s fifth career ejection, a testament to his passionate and protective nature as a manager. Despite his generally calm demeanor, his willingness to stand up for his team remains a defining trait. With this kind of leadership, the Pirates are poised to make some noise this season.