Donnie Kelly
I’ve talked to a lot of guys for this book—big names, Hall of Famers, fan favorites—but few light up like Donnie Kelly when he talks about a ballpark. You can feel it in his voice when he remembers walking out of PNC Park at night, city lights glowing, or when he talks about Comerica Park packed to the rafters. The guy’s played everywhere, but you sense he still can’t believe he got to live his dream in Pittsburgh. And when he calls PNC “the number one ballpark in America,” you don’t argue—you just nod and feel it too.
You played all nine positions in baseball. How cool is that, looking back now?
Really cool. Ten, if you count DH. It’s crazy, but to know I played every position on the field is special.
Was your first game in Pittsburgh or on the road?
On the road in Houston. But playing at PNC Park, being from Pittsburgh—it was a dream come true. To do it for your hometown team, unbelievable. I wasn’t a starter, but to play at home was amazing.
When you were in the box wearing a Pirates uniform, did you ever stop and take it in?
Yeah. It actually hits me more now as a coach. I’m one of the last to leave, and walking out through the field when the park is quiet, the city lit up—it’s surreal. PNC Park is a special place.
What’s it like now, viewing PNC Park as a coach?
I don’t see it much differently. Outside it’s still phenomenal—the view, the seats. They’ve updated the scoreboard, renovated underneath. It’s not Oakland or Tampa, that’s for sure.
Speaking of special, the 2012 game in Kansas City—Miggy Cabrera won the Triple Crown. What was that like?
I get chills thinking about it. He dominated the sport—one of the best right-handed hitters ever. We all knew we were witnessing history. Forty-five years since Ted Williams did it. Everyone respected Miggy. It was awesome to be part of it.
What was Comerica Park like?
Phenomenal—3 million fans a year. Electric atmosphere. As a hitter? Tough! Huge ballpark. You could crush a ball 430 feet and it’s an out. But then you’d get jammed and bloop a hit. Paul Konerko once said, “Man, ain’t that some shit.” He was right.
How did hitters deal with that?
You adjusted. Hit more line drives. And Miggy—he’d hit to right-center further than most lefties could pull it. The guy would’ve hit 60 a year in a smaller park.
What was the Jim Joyce / Armando Galarraga perfect game like from your perspective?
Surreal. I wasn’t starting, but Gene Lamont told me to get ready in the eighth—I went into left field. It was history in the making. Austin Jackson made an incredible catch. Then came the blown call. You just felt for Armando and Jim Joyce. Both handled it with so much class. It was emotional, even afterward—it felt like a loss even though we won.
Did he really get a Corvette the next day?
Yeah, the GM gave him one because of how classy he was. He brought it out on the field. Tears at home plate.
What was it like having Verlander, Scherzer, and Miggy as teammates?
Incredible. Verlander—locked in from the moment he arrived. Scherzer too. Miggy was quieter, but focused. We had loaded teams—Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez, Avila. It stinks we never won it all.
What stands out about Fenway?
The 2013 ALCS, Game 2—Ortiz’s grand slam. I thought Torii Hunter caught it. From left field it looked like the best catch ever, until I saw him flip over the wall.
And you said Oakland surprised you?
Absolutely. In the playoffs, it’s the loudest place I’ve ever been. That concrete bowl traps everything. Total chaos in the best way.
You did it before there was a Gold Glove for utility players. What’s the hardest part of playing everywhere?
Third base. The speed of the game. I always had to be ready there, and if I could handle that, the rest came easier. I tell players now: figure out what you need to prepare, and own it.
What’s a bench coach actually do?
Everything. Schedules, bus times, hitting, lineup discussions—coordinating the whole operation. During games, you’re involved in every conversation.
What happens when a player makes a mental error?
You want to yell, sure. But I wrote down when I retired: “Don’t ever forget how hard this is.” Even big leaguers hang curveballs. What matters is how you respond next.
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.