Don Kelly is still having conversations with Ben Cherington about how best to fill his bench coach role for the remainder of the season, Kelly said this afternoon.
“Still working through that. Having conversations with Ben and others, trying to figure that out," Kelly said.
Kelly was also mum on whether his new bench coach could be an external addition, rather than making an internal change, saying: "It could go either way."
The Pirates did make another move yesterday, following Derek Shelton's firing on Wednesday, as they fired game planning and strategy coach Radley Haddad ahead of their series opener against the Braves. Kelly said that Oscar Marin and Brent Strom took over the game planning for the pitchers while Alex Jimenez, a major league assistant, took over on the hitting side.
Kelly added that he also leaned on Marin, Strom, hitting coach Matt Hague and third-base coach Mike Rabelo as sounding boards throughout yesterday's game.
"Really just having conversations with a bunch of guys in the dugout, trying to make sure that we’re ready and making the right moves," Kelly said.
A few other notes from Kelly's pre-game media availability:
• After replacing Alexander Canario in left field in the ninth inning last night, Kelly said Tommy Pham is available today despite not being in the starting lineup.
• Kelly said Jim Leyland texted him last night and congratulated him on the win. I asked Kelly what type of influence Leyland has had on his coaching career and Kelly said: "For those of you that know him, he has influence on a lot of people who are around him a lot. A positive influence. As we all go through life, we’re a part of those people that we’ve been around. He’s a big part of that for me.”
• Kelly obviously has a tough challenge in front of him as the Pirates look to recover from a tough start. There's plenty of obstacles that come with that and when asked what his toughest challenge will be, Kelly echoed what he said yesterday in terms of following through with his actions: "For me, I want to stay true to myself. I think that's the biggest thing. Yesterday, going in with the team and talking -- you can say whatever you say in that room, but if we don't live it out every single day, it doesn't really matter what you say in there. I think that living that every day, believing in it, whether win lose, whatever it is, trying to get better and challenge these guys to get better individually and as a team."
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
7:46 pm - 05.10.2025NORTH SHOREKelly: 'Still working through' staff changes
Don Kelly is still having conversations with Ben Cherington about how best to fill his bench coach role for the remainder of the season, Kelly said this afternoon.
“Still working through that. Having conversations with Ben and others, trying to figure that out," Kelly said.
Kelly was also mum on whether his new bench coach could be an external addition, rather than making an internal change, saying: "It could go either way."
The Pirates did make another move yesterday, following Derek Shelton's firing on Wednesday, as they fired game planning and strategy coach Radley Haddad ahead of their series opener against the Braves. Kelly said that Oscar Marin and Brent Strom took over the game planning for the pitchers while Alex Jimenez, a major league assistant, took over on the hitting side.
Kelly added that he also leaned on Marin, Strom, hitting coach Matt Hague and third-base coach Mike Rabelo as sounding boards throughout yesterday's game.
"Really just having conversations with a bunch of guys in the dugout, trying to make sure that we’re ready and making the right moves," Kelly said.
A few other notes from Kelly's pre-game media availability:
• After replacing Alexander Canario in left field in the ninth inning last night, Kelly said Tommy Pham is available today despite not being in the starting lineup.
• Kelly said Jim Leyland texted him last night and congratulated him on the win. I asked Kelly what type of influence Leyland has had on his coaching career and Kelly said: "For those of you that know him, he has influence on a lot of people who are around him a lot. A positive influence. As we all go through life, we’re a part of those people that we’ve been around. He’s a big part of that for me.”
• Kelly obviously has a tough challenge in front of him as the Pirates look to recover from a tough start. There's plenty of obstacles that come with that and when asked what his toughest challenge will be, Kelly echoed what he said yesterday in terms of following through with his actions: "For me, I want to stay true to myself. I think that's the biggest thing. Yesterday, going in with the team and talking -- you can say whatever you say in that room, but if we don't live it out every single day, it doesn't really matter what you say in there. I think that living that every day, believing in it, whether win lose, whatever it is, trying to get better and challenge these guys to get better individually and as a team."
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