Derek Shelton doesn't take issue with Pirates getting booed at home: 'I completely understand that'

The Pirates might not love getting booed at home, but Derek Shelton can at least appreciate the passion.

Fan-favorite David Bednar was booed Tuesday as he blew his third save opportunity of the season. He’s only converted one chance this season, the clear low point of an otherwise good start for the Pirates.

Bednar is attempting to find his footing after missing time in the spring with a lat injury, and Shelton has emphasized that he’s not concerned about the closer and will continue to lean on him. But the rest of the bullpen has fared largely well, and if Bednar can’t get on track soon something will have to give.

But the response from the fanbase to Bednar’s struggles have irked some Pirates, with first baseman Rowdy Tellez among those to come to the reliever’s defense.

Shelton told Joe Starkey on Thursday that he thinks fans are within their rights to respond to poor performance as they see fit.

“Fans very much have the right to – they pay money, they have the right to do what they want,” Shelton said. “I believe people in Pittsburgh love David Bednar, I believe they weren’t happy with the performance the other day, and that’s understandable. That’s happened in Pittsburgh, it’s happened in Chicago, it’s happened in St. Louis, it’s happened all over the country in baseball when they’re not happy with a performance.

“I completely understand that, I completely understand if people were not happy with my decision that I left him in too long. I appreciate, I think more importantly, the passionate fans that we have. To your point, people are talking about the Pirates, and I think that’s a really good thing.”