Don Kelly’s entire lifetime puts Pirates’ postseason drought into brutal perspective

Abigail Miskowiec highlights that Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly, born in February 1980, has never witnessed the franchise win a postseason series in his lifetime. The team's last playoff series victory occurred in the 1979 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, leaving Kelly tasked with breaking a nearly 50-year drought despite leading the Pirates to an 82-80 record in his first full season.

The writer notes that Pittsburgh's 82-80 finish fell six games short of a National League Wild Card berth despite being the club's first winning season since 2018. Miskowiec also argues that general manager Ben Cherington may provide limited front-office support this offseason, with indications pointing toward potentially parting ways with offensive contributor Brandon Lowe.