Pirates manager Derek Shelton defends Ke'Bryan Hayes on complaints about umpires

A day after Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes criticized home plate umpire Bill Miller on social media, Pirates manager Derek Shelton defended his right to complain about a called strike.

“I think it was a very unique situation. It’s a very rare situation, and he was frustrated, you know?” Shelton said.

“Sometimes, I think today, we vent in different ways. Not speaking for him in any way, but the point of the matter is every at-bat is important, every at-bat is crucial. The fact that he has the passion for every single pitch I think is really important.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton defends 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, who criticized HP umpire Bill Miller on social media for a called strike on a pitch outside the zone and called for MLB to implement ABS. pic.twitter.com/fEiGsl9HV3

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 11, 2023

Hayes called for MLB to replace umpires with an automatic balls-strikes system after Miller called a strike on a 3-1 fastball by Atlanta Braves lefty A.J. Minter in the eighth inning of Sunday’s 5-2 loss at Truist Park. Hayes said the outside pitch was “not even close” to the strike zone. After exchanging words with Miller, Hayes struck out swinging.

“Some umpires really don’t care,” Hayes wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I hold him accountable. After the game walking off the field and his response is (shrug), ‘I gave you a chance to hit a home run.’ That tells me you don’t care at all. No accountability. Bring the ABS please.”

Hayes declined interview requests through a Pirates spokesperson, saying his tweet was clear and he didn’t want to add to it or discuss it further.

Shelton, however, answered questions about the controversial call and Hayes’ complaint before Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.

Where Shelton and several members of his coaching staff have been ejected for arguing balls and strikes with umpires this season, he has no preference whether a player is critical in person or online.

“I think hitters can do different things. You see guys that are animated with umpires. You see guys that carry it out in other ways, whether it’s in the dugout or other forms,” Shelton said. “When it’s in the box, he has the right if he thinks it’s a strike or not to have a conversation. How he has that conversation … I think we’ve seen guys over the course of time have it with their head down and back. Then we’ve seen guys be a little bit more animated.

“I think it’s personal preference for everybody in terms of how they handle it.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he’s not concerned with possible retribution from umpires on calls against Ke’Bryan Hayes or his teammates. pic.twitter.com/5j7l6Jz2li

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 11, 2023

Shelton said he wasn’t concerned that about potential retribution from umpires towards Hayes or other Pirates players.

“No, I don’t worry about that,” Shelton said. “Umpires, they do a good job. They’re also evaluated in a way that they have to make sure they maintain. I think you guys have seen me get animated a time or two on it. … I have no concern with umpires having a carryover in any way.”