Lamont’s Expertise Just What Pirates Needed

Gene Lamont is only too happy to come out of retirement for the good of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

How much does Lamont care about the Pirates’ organization and, even more importantly, the success of new manager Don Kelly? On Lamont’s first day on the job as an advisor to Kelly, by noon at his home in Sarasota, FL, the blue skies were interrupted only by occasional patches of white puffy clouds and a relaxing 87 degrees.

At 78, Lamont’s done all that he wanted to do in the game. A top draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, followed by reaching the big leagues with the organization as a catcher, and subsequently coaching for four MLB clubs, and managing two teams (one being the Pirates).

Like so many others in the realm of retirement in the “Sunshine State”, Lamont earned his stripes in the game of life to sit on a beach, surf streaming services, or checking out the stores at Sarasota’s mega mall – University Town Square weekdays when there is less foot traffic than what weekends bring.

Being the baseball lifer that Lamont is, the preeminent disciple of Hall of Famer Jim Leyland (also on-again and off-again seen in Sarasota), when called to duty by Kelly to observe and report on his learning the managerial game on the fly, the Christmas-born strategist wouldn’t say no.

On Monday, at 3 p.m., Lamont was scheduled to meet with the media in the Pirates’ home dugout at PNC Park. Pulling on a uniform again, slipping into his spikes, and giving it straight to reporters on what his role will be as the 15-32 Pirates aim to improve (and quickly), for Lamont, the process is routine.

“When Don Kelly got the job, he asked me if I would come back and help him. He (Kelly) was a special player. Don was always prepared for games, and I remember him always asking a lot of questions,” Lamont told The Bradenton Times by phone this past Friday.

When news broke of Lamont returning to the Pirates to mentor Kelly, he was in Texas visiting his son Wade Lamont, a strength and conditioning coach with the Texas Rangers, and his three grandchildren. Lamont is excited that Kelly, a local guy from the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon, has been handed his “dream job.”

“I think it will work”, Lamont believes, when questioned of Kelly’s rookie campaign.

Getting back in baseball’s saddle is something Lamont seems quite poised to do. Apparently, there wasn’t any arm-twisting needed. There’s no substitute for the experience that Lamont can offer his latest pupil. With a six-game homestand beginning on Monday against fellow National League Central rival Cincinnati Reds for three games, and then three against the Milwaukee Brewers, starting his reunion tour at home seems to have been the best answer to introduce Lamont to the team.

After the Pirates dismissed skipper Derek Shelton, and general manager Ben Cherington tabbed Kelly as the next in line for the field leader’s position, Kelly didn’t have the title “interim manager” put on Pirates stationery. The new manager is just that – no substitute.

Although Kelly made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2007, for 25 games, the bulk of his playing career came as a Detroit Tiger. Lamont was there for those half dozen seasons, mostly operating as Leyland’s top lieutenant. A bond that formed during their Tigers’ years has clearly carried over, when both manager and player moved on to other organizations.

During the spring, I watched one (Pirates game). Since then, I’ve been sitting home and watching many games on TV. I still have the passion for baseball. So, I figure, why sit home and manage? The offense hasn't been very good. They just need to find someone in the lineup to get hot,” said Lamont.

Restoring faith to the Pirates fan base is on Lamont’s mind. Starting out with the club being 13 games behind the Central-leading Chicago Cubs, Lamont and Kelly are apparently on the same page of listening and learning. The union of Kelly and Lamont is all about getting the club back on track. There is no politicking going on. The manager’s job belongs to Kelly. Lamont is welcomed aboard to offer wisdom.

Just as another successful teacher-pupil duo, Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso, got their winnings going after some give-and-take, Kelly and Lamont seem destined to succeed, minus the “wax on, wax off” philosophy.