Don Kelly isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates manager and Western Pennsylvania native just had his contract extended by the organization.The team made the announcement of the extension in a press release Monday afternoon.Kelly, who is originally from Butler, went to Mt. Lebanon High School and then to Point Park University. He briefly played for the Pirates in 2007 at the start of his major league career. Kelly made his debut on May 9 vs. Atlanta after former manager Derek Shelton was fired from the position.While leading the team, the Pirates swept seven series, including against the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Dodgers.”I was a Pirates fan first.”“Our clubhouse is full of players who care deeply about each other, about winning, and about representing Pittsburgh the right way. I was a Pirates fan first. I know our fans deserve a team that delivers on the field, and it’s on me to make sure we reach that standard,” Kelly said. Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting said Kelly has earned the respect not only from the organization, but from fans as well. “Donnie took over the team at a true low point. Since then, we’ve seen meaningful progress, not just in the clubhouse culture, but on the field. His connection to the community and passion for the franchise make him more than just a manager. He is a Pittsburgher; he is part of our community,” Nutting said. 1-on-1 with Don Kelly after the 2025 SeasonPittsburgh Action News Sports Anchor Andrew Stockey spoke with Kelly last week on the potential to return that has now become a reality.During that interview, Kelly said he would love to come back. >> WATCH THAT FULL INTERVIEW HERE.”Being a Pittsburgh guy, the city means a lot to me, the team means a lot to me and I will work tirelessly to continue to drive towards winning baseball in Pittsburgh,” Kelly said. The Butler native even teased that he had changes already in his head to make the club better. “Personally, I have ideas, and it certainly would be a collective conversation on what we need to do, certain changes that we need to make and things that we need to do to be better in order to win,” Kelly said.

PITTSBURGH —

Don Kelly isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates manager and Western Pennsylvania native just had his contract extended by the organization.

The team made the announcement of the extension in a press release Monday afternoon.

Kelly, who is originally from Butler, went to Mt. Lebanon High School and then to Point Park University. He briefly played for the Pirates in 2007 at the start of his major league career.

Kelly made his debut on May 9 vs. Atlanta after former manager Derek Shelton was fired from the position.

While leading the team, the Pirates swept seven series, including against the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Dodgers.

“I was a Pirates fan first.”

“Our clubhouse is full of players who care deeply about each other, about winning, and about representing Pittsburgh the right way. I was a Pirates fan first. I know our fans deserve a team that delivers on the field, and it’s on me to make sure we reach that standard,” Kelly said.

Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting said Kelly has earned the respect not only from the organization, but from fans as well.

“Donnie took over the team at a true low point. Since then, we’ve seen meaningful progress, not just in the clubhouse culture, but on the field. His connection to the community and passion for the franchise make him more than just a manager. He is a Pittsburgher; he is part of our community,” Nutting said.

1-on-1 with Don Kelly after the 2025 Season

Pittsburgh Action News Sports Anchor Andrew Stockey spoke with Kelly last week on the potential to return that has now become a reality.

During that interview, Kelly said he would love to come back.

>> WATCH THAT FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

“Being a Pittsburgh guy, the city means a lot to me, the team means a lot to me and I will work tirelessly to continue to drive towards winning baseball in Pittsburgh,” Kelly said.

The Butler native even teased that he had changes already in his head to make the club better.

“Personally, I have ideas, and it certainly would be a collective conversation on what we need to do, certain changes that we need to make and things that we need to do to be better in order to win,” Kelly said.