Sometimes, a setback can be the greatest setup for a comeback. Derek Shelton, the newly appointed manager of the Minnesota Twins, understands this better than most. After being dismissed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, he took a six-month sabbatical, a period of reflection that he believes has fundamentally reshaped his approach to the game. This time away wasn't just a break; it was a crucial period of growth.
Shelton, introduced as the Twins' new manager, shared his journey of self-discovery after his departure from Pittsburgh in early May. He initially stepped away from baseball entirely, then began observing the game from a fresh perspective. By the time the postseason rolled around, his views had evolved significantly. His love for baseball was rekindled, and he feels better equipped to lead the Twins to success.
He reflected on his experiences, stating, "When you have four months to think about those things … you go through different periods, and I think that the reflection period and the ability to talk to people I was around and get kind of open and honest feedback [was important]. And I do think adversity is the greatest teacher we probably can have, and I went through some adversity and learned."
Before 2025, Shelton's career trajectory seemed to be an almost uninterrupted ascent. He climbed the ranks, coaching and managing in the Minor Leagues before moving to the Majors. He served as a hitting coach and later as the Twins’ bench coach in 2018 and 2019. The Twins even considered him for the managerial position when they hired Rocco Baldelli. But Shelton now recognizes that he still had much to learn when he first became a manager. He's eager to apply his newfound knowledge in his new role.
"I am a different guy [than in 2019]," he admitted. "In anything you do, you have life experiences, you move forward. I think the biggest thing is, when I left here, I thought I was really prepared to manage. Because I’d been given a lot of responsibility. But you’re never ready until you sit in the chair. You’re never ready until different things come your way. So I think those experiences are what help build you moving forward."
But here's where it gets controversial... Shelton's post-Pirates journey included a stint on SiriusXM radio's “Loud Outs” show. He credits his co-hosts, former players Ryan Spilborghs and CJ Nitkowski, for helping him rediscover his passion for baseball. This experience, he said, "really brought my passion for baseball back."
Despite his close ties with Baldelli and his time coaching in Minnesota, Shelton and the Twins' management quickly dismissed the idea that he would simply replicate the previous manager's style. He emphasized that he is not the same person he was even seven years ago.
Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey noted that he was most impressed by Shelton's willingness to self-reflect: "When he talked about how he spent the last four months really diving into what could he have done differently, what could he have done better. How could he have done it in a way that would have led to more success?"
Shelton also highlighted his diverse influences, drawing inspiration from numerous coaches and managers throughout his 20+-year career. He stated, "I learned something from every one of those guys. And I promise you, from not only that, but from the six years of managing in Pittsburgh, I learned a lot. I learned about myself, and will grow and move forward."
One area where Shelton anticipates significant improvement is in nurturing the development of young players. This will be a crucial task for the new Twins manager. If the team is to contend in 2026, strong performances from players like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, and Matt Wallner will be essential.
Falvey expressed confidence in Shelton's ability to lead the team, stating, "You're making a bet to some degree that you have the faith this person can come in, learn from those experiences. He discussed 'We could have done things a little differently here and that would have been better' as we would probably say about some of the young players in that room. He's done the same reflection and he's going to try and go through that again."
And this is the part most people miss... The key takeaway is that Shelton's period of introspection has equipped him with a fresh perspective, making him a potentially more effective leader. His willingness to learn from both successes and failures could be the catalyst for a new era of success for the Twins.
What do you think? Do you believe that taking time away from a role can lead to significant personal and professional growth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
