Pirates’ Don Kelly Ejected for Second Time in a Week
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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly isn't afraid to show umpires how feels and he got himself in trouble once again.
Kelly earned himself an ejection in the bottom of the second inning against the Chicago Cubs in the series opener at PNC Park on May 25. Bench coach Kristopher Negrón will serve as acting manager in his place.
This marks the second ejection for Kelly in the past three games, also doing so in the 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 23 and his third ejection this season, with his first coming in an 8-3 win against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on March 31.
His three ejections this season lead all National League managers and tied for most amongst all MLB managers, with former Pirates manager and current Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton.
How Don Kelly Earned This Ejection
Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin tried to duck out of the way of a pitch from Cubs right-handed starter Ben Brown, but the ball hit his helmet, so he took off his batting gear and walked to first base, as he assumed it was a hit by pitch.
The umpires didn't call it a hit by pitch, so Kelly challenged it and despite video evidence showing it hit the brim of Griffin's helmet, they upheld the call on the field and the Pirates lost their challenge.
Kelly was incensed and then went up and argued with third base umpire Dan Bellino about the call, which resulted in his ejection.
He even received a round of applause from the Pirates faithful at the game, before going back down and exiting the dugout.
Don Kelly immediately gets himself tossed after this call wasn't overturned
— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) May 25, 2026
That's my manager. https://t.co/nbbDTUm2Xm pic.twitter.com/Zc5YAYfrmS
History of Don Kelly's Ejections With Pirates
Kelly got himself ejected two days prior, but not before Pirates pitching coach Bill Murphy did, as he argued with home plate umpire Alan Porter, who missed an ABS challenge from catcher Henry Davis.
Davis eventually got that challenge, which corrected a missed strike call, and then the umpires missed a clear check swing from Blue Jays second baseman Lenyn Sosa, that would've been a strikeout on an 0-2 count.
Kelly argued with first base umpire Willie Traynor, which Porter didn't care for and ejected him, which eventually required Negrón to step in between the two, as they got in each other's faces in the ensuing argument.
His first ejection came on another missed check swing call, this time on Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who clearly went around and even walked back to the dugout, as he had through he struck out.which
Kelly didn't care for that call and home plate umpire John Baker tossed him in the bottom of the eighth inning.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.