Pittsburgh Pirates welcome back Tony Beasley as third base coach for 2026 season
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a surprising yet nostalgic decision as they announced the hiring of Tony Beasley as their third base coach for the 2026 season. This move, reported by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has sparked excitement among fans familiar with Beasley’s rich history with the organization.
Beasley’s Journey with the Pirates
Tony Beasley’s journey with the Pirates began in September 1991 when he came over from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade. He quickly made his mark within the organization, playing in the Pirates’ minor league system for the remainder of the 1990s. Beasley transitioned into coaching in 1999, starting in the minor leagues. Over the next several years, he showcased his managerial prowess by leading teams in the minors from 2001 to 2005.
Notably, Beasley served as the hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League (GCL) in 1999, followed by a stint with Class-A Lynchburg in 2000. His first managerial role came with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the New York-Penn League, where he guided the team to a remarkable 46-26 record in 2001, finishing as co-champions. His talent did not go unnoticed, as Baseball America recognized him as the Low-A Manager of the Year in both 2002 and 2003 while managing the Hickory Crawdads, culminating in a South Atlantic League Championship in 2002.
Beasley continued his success at the Double-A level, leading Altoona to the Eastern League Championship Series in 2004, which earned him the title of Double-A Manager of the Year from Baseball America. After a brief period with the Washington Nationals, where he worked as the minor league infield coordinator, Beasley returned to the Pirates in 2007. His impact was felt particularly in the development of Neil Walker, who made a successful transition from catcher to infielder, eventually earning a Silver Slugger Award during his seven seasons with the Pirates.
Initially taking on the role of third base coach in 2008 under manager John Russell, Beasley’s tenure ended after the 2010 season when the Pirates decided to part ways with Russell.
A Wealth of Coaching Experience
Beasley’s coaching career took him back to the Nationals, where he managed Double-A Harrisburg in 2011 and Triple-A Syracuse in 2012 and 2013. He later served as co-field-coordinator of instruction within the Nationals’ minor league system in 2014. His next significant role came with the Texas Rangers, where he was appointed as their third base coach for the 2015 season.
In 2022, Beasley stepped into the spotlight as the interim manager for the Rangers after the dismissal of Chris Woodward, finishing the season with a 17-31 record. He returned to his role as third base coach under new manager Bruce Bochy in 2023, helping lead the Rangers to a World Series victory that year, further solidifying his reputation in Major League Baseball.
As the Pirates look ahead to the 2026 season, Beasley’s return brings a blend of nostalgia, experience, and hope for fans eager to see the team’s resurgence. His deep connection with the organization and proven track record as a coach could be pivotal as the Pirates strive to elevate their performance on the field.
