SCREAMIN’ FROM THE CHEAP SEATS. Who’s incurring my wrath today? None other than the Pittsburgh Pirates after dismissing manager Derek Shelton.

I get that the analytics are glaring. A won loss record of 306 wins and 440 losses over parts of six seasons comes out to a subpar winning percentage of .410 and the Buccos being off to a horrendous 12-26 start sealed the deal for Shelton.

Here’s the question that I’m asking of the western Pennsylvania franchise. Why? Is there anyone from the casual hardball fan to the grizzled old lifer who believed for one iota that the Black & Gold were going be a threat to win the World Series let alone even make the playoffs.  

Owner Robert Nutting and GM Ben Cherington should have rode out this season then if they felt a change was still necessary pull the plug. That way administrators can take their time and do their due diligence to vet out possible candidates. 

Plus now you have to be worried if interim skipper Don Kelly rescues the season just enough to be made the permanent manager. Always that possibility but the chances of that are slim and none and Slim lives in Amarillo.

The most likely scenario is fresh start with a fresh manager in 2026. Now let’s see who wants that albatross around their neck.

Book it Dano!