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The Detroit Tigers have another former player managing an MLB team.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have named bench coach Don Kelly as the team’s new manager. He will replace Derek Shelton, who was fired on May 8.
Kelly played with the Tigers from 2009-14, slashing .234/.297/.340 in 544 games with Detroit. He appeared in four postseasons with the Tigers from 2011-14, putting up a .696 OPS in 38 playoff plate appearances.
He hit a solo home run in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the 2011 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, his only postseason home run. The Tigers won that game 3-2 and advanced to the ALCS against the Texas Rangers.
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While with Detroit, Kelly achieved a cult status as a hardworking, often anonymous utility player. He played his final MLB season with the Miami Marlins in 2016, and the Tigers hired him as a scout ahead of the 2017 season.
Kelly left the Tigers to become the first base coach for the Houston Astros in November of 2018 and joined the Pirates, where he made his MLB debut on April 2, 2007, to become their bench coach ahead of the 2020 season.
Kelly has long been considered a strong MLB coaching candidate, with some whispers about the Tigers considering him as a candidate heading into the 2021 season before they hired A.J. Hinch.
Kelly now has a chance to prove his managerial chops, with the Pirates currently in last place in the National League Central standings with a 12-26 record.
This story has been updated to clarify Kelly’s new title. A previous version said he was the interim manager.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
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