Pittsburgh was feeling the bitter bite of despair again in early May 2025. For Pirates fans, a group already well-acquainted with choppy seas, this season felt like just another trip into a storm. The team was mired in a seven-game losing streak and had a dismal 12-26 record. This specific downturn sparked a managerial change, a common enough move in baseball. But the explanation from team owner Bob Nutting for the move quickly drew sharp criticism. One prominent voice, a former MLB team president, minced no words about what he saw as “foolish” commentary from the top.

On May 8, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced manager Derek Shelton’s dismissal, a move following their nightmarish start to the season. Owner Nutting commented on the move, saying, “Derek is a good man who did a lot for the Pirates and Pittsburgh, but it was time for a change.” He acknowledged the “frustrating and painful” first quarter for all involved. He also emphasized an urgent need “to fix this now to get back on track as a team and organization.” But that cry for urgency and a fresh start under new manager Don Kelly quickly hit some sour notes with experienced observers.

Former Miami Marlins President David Samson, speaking on his ‘Nothing Personal’ podcast, took particular issue with Nutting’s heavy emphasis on new manager Kelly’s local ties. Nutting had declared Kelly “a Pirate. He bleeds black and gold. No one is more committed, and no one loves this team or city more than Donnie.” Samson found this hyperbolic.

He argued, “Nobody loves Pittsburgh more than Don Kelly? … My rule is a very simple rule…we needed people to think that the owner is the one who loves the team more than anyone.” Samson also emphasized that the comment implied the previous manager didn’t have such a deep love, an assessment he described as “idiocy.” But that’s not all!

Samson also questioned Nutting’s hopeful narrative of the Pirates’ ability to turn the season around. While Nutting spoke of acting with urgency to get back on track, Samson threw a blunt reality check. Referring to the Pirates’ 12-26 record, he stated, “Dude, you’re 12 and 26. You have no chance. None.” He estimated their playoff likelihood at “approximately one-tenth of 1%,” effectively calling hope for a comeback a mirage, even with promising talent like Paul Skenes in the mix.

The Pirates’ 2025 Season: A Statistical Nightmare

So, how was Shelton’s time as Pirates manager anyway? He managed the team starting with the 2020 season. He posted a challenging 306-440 record and a .410 winning percentage. His tenure was marked by the team’s failure to post a winning season and consistent last-place finishes in the NL Central. The Pirates suffered back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2021 and 2022. But even with those problems, Shelton was extended in April 2023, a brief hope that turned out to be short-lived.

Taking the helm is Kelly, a Pittsburgh native with deep roots in the city. He played briefly for the Pirates in 2007 and went to Point Park University. Kelly had been the Pirates’ bench coach since 2020 under Shelton before being hired as manager. He previously served as the first base coach for Houston during its 2019 World Series season. General Manager Ben Cherington said Kelly “has the skills and experience needed to do this job really well.” The GM confirmed his appointment as permanent manager for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The 2025 season has been a statistical nightmare for the Pittsburgh club. Their 12-26 record by May 9 placed them in last place in the NL Central. Offensively, they were at the bottom of the league, sitting 30th in runs per game at a meager 3.11. Their team OPS stood at a dismal .626. The pitching staff was not much better, with a team ERA of 4.31 (22nd in MLB) and one of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball. These stats are very clear indications of a team far from competitive in any part of the game.

Bob Nutting’s comments about urgency and passion might offer hope. But Samson’s razored response expresses a cynicism felt by many. The Pirates have a mountain of work in front of them, and a shift in the dugout is just one part of that puzzle. Will the emphasis on local loyalty and the desire to “fix this now” actually translate into meaningful on-field improvement in the absence of broader organizational changes? Or are fans simply witnessing another chapter in a familiar cycle?