North Shore Nine

In the wake of Derek Shelton’s firing, Neil and Doug dive into one of their most animated debates yet on Neil and Doug Debate. With the Pirates floundering to a 12–26 start, Shelton’s dismissal didn’t just feel inevitable—it felt overdue. Doug opens the show with a sharp, sarcastic tone, joking that the Pirates are now a “winning team” simply because Shelton is gone. Neil, on the other hand, treats the change with the gravity of a eulogy, saying it’s the “first time [he’s] gotten out of bed all day.”

The duo discusses how Shelton’s tenure had become a meme among Pirates fans, with Neil admitting that ripping on the manager had practically become part of his identity. But beneath the banter, both agree that the team’s continued failures ultimately made Shelton’s position untenable. They also point out that this move raises bigger questions: was this all Ben Cherington’s call, or did pressure finally come down from ownership?

And then there’s Don Kelly—the new manager whose name sparks more confusion than excitement. “Go Donny Kelly?” is about the most inspired response Neil can muster. As for what comes next? Doug suggests sandwiches… but more importantly, they’ll be watching to see if Cherington’s seat gets hotter.

Catch the full episode of Neil and Doug Debate for their full breakdown of Shelton’s exit and what it means for the Pirates going forward.