The Tigers have interviewed Pirates bench coach Don Kelly for their managerial vacancy, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Athletic (Twitter link). However, Biertempfel cautions that Kelly isn’t considered a “top candidate” at the moment due to his relative lack of coaching experience. He’s more likely to return to Pittsburgh in his current position, it seems.
Kelly is a familiar name for Tiger fans. He spent the majority of his nine-year stint as a player in Detroit as a utilityman. Only four years removed from retirement as a player, Kelly has flown through the off-field ranks. The 40-year-old kicked off his post-playing career in a scouting and player development role in the Tigers organization. He jumped to a big league staff with the 2019 Astros, signing on as first base coach. Pirates first-year manager Derek Shelton then tabbed Kelly as his bench coach this season.
Tigers GM Al Avila has professed a desire for a candidate with coaching or managerial experience. Kelly fits the bill, although he’s a neophyte compared with some of Detroit’s other candidates. Dodgers first base coach George Lombard, Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames and Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol are also known to have interviewed; all three have vastly more coaching experience. Even if Kelly doesn’t wind up in the managerial chair in Detroit, he’ll certainly find himself in the mix in future searches.
Any relation to Hobo Kelly mischief makers?
No he’s the love child of Frank Reynolds and Bonnie Kelly.
So it wasn’t Charlie after all?
Does it even matter who is the manger anymore, besides handling the clubhouse and media? Baseball is so scripted now from the front office, they determine the lineups, when to pull the pitchers what matchups are best for from the computers and analytics.
There is no strategy left in baseball anymore, when do you see a hit and run, pitch out, bunt? Seems like whoever hits the most solo homers wins now with everyone swinging for the fences. Now with no DH in the National League anymore, there goes that in game decision.
I miss baseball of the 70s and 80s.
A lot of your points are valid, but don’t forget to look at the new ways managers have to deal with player personalities and keeping everybody together and focused on doing what’s best for the team to win games, with all of the stats and roster manipulation and distractions that is harder than ever. Everything changes, older people who watched baseball in the 50’s and 60’s lamented the changes free agency brought to the game and would tell you the baseball of the 70s and 80s was nothing like back in their day.
@labeachguy
You forget that this is Detroit we are talking about. They are a bit behind the curve when it comes to analytics, which is why Gardy worked well here. They do not (yet) play scripted ball.
The tigers shifted the most out of like any team in the MLB this year…
There is strategy, just not eyewash strategy that doesn’t lead to scoring runs.
Great choice.
Can Ron Washington please get a managerial job this season? Last time we saw him was with Texas and I know that wasn’t the best, but he has evolved with the game and the things he has done with Ozzie, Dansby, etc is remarkable. I would love him to get one more shot
Depending on how many more (if any) openings become available i don’t see it. Outside of the White Sox touch of nostalgia interviewing Tony LaRussa it seems more teams just want “yes men” instead of managers
Rangers fans will forever remember him as putting Nelson Cruz in right field. Also that dude in the 11th inning vs David Freese it was game over. Whether it was Freese or Beekman. They were hitting like .400 each. Yet Ron Washington decided to walk pujols instead. There’s not many spots open. Maybe dbacks giants. Don’t know who their mangers are though. Maybe Seattle.
You mean one of the best postseason hitters of the 21st century? yeah, cant believe they’d walk that guy.
I remember Ron as the guy who taught us they drug test even the managers.
I can’t see Al Avila calling the shots in the Tigers’ dugout…the guy probably still has an aol.com e-mail. Like his mentor Dombrowski, he may pay lip service to analytics, but I doubt he’s their biggest fan.. Again, not to say he ignores them completely, but I don’t think he sees them as an integral part of evaluation.
Being left unsaid is that every team is looking for the next Craig Counsel technically efficient player who played at 100% all the time, and who transfers those skills to his management style. Kelly fits the bill there. ; plus he’s young, (read CHEAP) and seems to be media savvy.
Given where they are on the development curve, (and their snail’s pace at the rebuild, despite their wealth/revenues), Kelly wouldn’t be a bad choice. And he’s got some Tiger-cred, from his time there.
No.
1st base coach for 2019 Astros. Another trash can enabler.
With the amount of games Kelly finished as manager this season after Shelton got tossed, hard to say this guy doesn’t have experience.
NNNNOOO
Tigers need someone who has managed before.
Bring back Jim Leyland
God no. He was so very overrated and no manager in the history of baseball wasted more talent than he did. He was a complete failure. He should have been fired after the 2008 season when they finished in last place.
Jim was a bum.
Why waste time interviewing him? If the Tigers want to win, go out and get a proven winner – even if it was at AAA. Too many higher qualified candidates out there than this guy.
Please name those proven winners (without fired for cheating on their record) that you think deserve an interview. Kelly has the advantage of knowing how the Detroit organization did things during a time they were expected to contend every year. That’s something none of the others interviewed can bring to this job. I am leaning toward Freddi Gonzalez, though, due to experience.
A.J. Hinch is my choice.
Yeah, he didn’t “do enough” to stop the trash canning stuff. I happen to believe the trash canning was not that helpful. Players have been stealing signs and trying to get an edge since the game was invented.
I suspect Hinch will end up with the ChiSox.
I’d take Cora in a minute too, but won’t be surprised if he’s not back in Boston.
I think Kelly would be an interesting pick. He has a little bit of Craig Counsell-ness to him.
I’m also intrigued a little with Will Venable. Not sure, however, if he has enough connection to the Tigers and familiarity with their prospects.
i really do believe that Hinch was caught in the middle of the whole situation. sure, he didnt do enough to stop it, but i think management’s power over him didnt really give him a choice. additionally, i dont think his involvement means he’s really any threat to do it again. maybe someone like Cora or Beltran, who seemed to take more active roles in it, but not Hinch.
I’m down for a one year deal for a manager; a placeholder until more and better names are available. If you settle for that approach, then you can roll the dice a little with your choice. For instance, veteran manager who deserves a second chance (Ozzie Guillen). Or, an up-and-comer that just needs his first shot (Don Kelly).
Then, come this time next year, you either found a diamond in the rough, or you have a better pool of managers to choose from. And, you saved a ton of money by not committing yourself to a multi-year contract for a manager that didnt work out.
Are multi year manager contracts really a problem?
Do not waste a year with someone who isn’t going to help you win the world series now… it’s not a later plan.
I really like Don Kelly but it’s not the right time or place for him in Detroit.
This is ridiculous Just hurry up and hire AJ Hinch or Alex Cora already jesus Christ Almighty Don’t need no former players from the Tigers or players period Being managers.