Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly (right) argues with home plate umpire Clint Vondrak (15) against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Watch: New Pirates manager ejected in second game

By Adam Gretz | Last updated May 10, 2025 7:18 PM ET

Don Kelly is the latest manager given the nearly impossible task of making the Pittsburgh Pirates competitive. He took over the role this week when Derek Shelton was fired following a 12-26 start. After winning his managerial debut on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves, he had another managerial first on Saturday.

He was ejected.

In just his second game as a big-league manager.

It happened in the top of the sixth inning when he kept yelling at home plate umpire Clint Vondrak.

Don Kelly has been ejected in his second game as the Pirates manager

: @SNPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/tQlRnO9Cp6
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 10, 2025

The Pirates had several issues with Vondrak on Saturday, with starting outfielder Bryan Reynolds also getting ejected for arguing a called third strike.

Kelly started the season as the Pirates bench coach, a role he had held since 2019.

Prior to joining the Pirates, he had worked as a scout for the Detroit Tigers and was a first-base coach for the Houston Astros.

If Saturday is any indication, he is at least going to have his team's back and show some passion. The Pirates could use some of that. They could use more talent as well, but some fight might have to be where they start.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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