BRADENTON, Fla. -- It was a bit odd to see manager Derek Shelton in the visitors' dugout shortly before the Pirates beat the Twins, 6-4, at LECOM Park. Stranger still to see the Bucs' former skipper in red and blue and not black and gold.
Yet as Shelton looked out onto the field on Thursday afternoon, ready to face the Pirates for the first time since he was dismissed last May, he had nothing but good things to say about his five-plus seasons at the Bucs' helm.
Here's what he thinks about his replacement, the top prospect in baseball, the Bucs' busy offseason and more:
On his time in Pittsburgh:
"I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. My first opportunity to manage in the big leagues. Ultimately, I wish we could have done better. I think there were a lot of factors that went into play there, but I look back very fondly on my time there. And with appreciation of the opportunity."
... and what it taught him:
"I don’t think you know that when you’re doing it, but when you have four-five months to reflect on it, like I got to do last summer, you realize things you would have done differently with the way you communicate with your staff [and] the way you communicate with a player group. Then, obviously, the experience of running a game and trying different things. I think you have to take that experience from that opportunity and move forward and grow in your next one."
Impressions of Don Kelly taking over:
"I'm very happy for Donny to step in. I didn’t closely follow the Pirates last year after I got let go. I was doing radio and TV, so it was more of a holistic feel in terms of following all the games, but I think Donny will do a good job."
On how quickly he found a managerial job [with MInnesota]:
"[Was I] surprised that I was offered a managerial job? I guess that depends on who you ask. There were nine jobs available. Doing radio and TV, it did bring my love of the game back. You get to the point where you get beat down. We lost a lot; that can wear on you a little bit. I needed to get rejuvenated a little bit. ... It was refreshing there, to be able to give your opinion, to watch games as a fan a little bit. I thought that was important. In terms of getting back in, I don’t know. It was the right opportunity. It was the right job. Was it a situation where I could have continued to do [TV and radio]? Yeah, probably. But I'm not ready to do that yet. I wanted to be on the field."
On the Pirates' busy offseason:
"I think at some point, you wish you would've seen the investment that we saw this offseason, but good for them. I’m very happy for [general manager] Ben [Cherington] that he had the ability to go out and acquire guys. They’re a better club than they were probably at any point in the tenure here with the people they’ve added, and it’s going to be exciting to see. They have the best pitcher in the game, obviously. They have the best prospect in the game, who is uber-exciting to watch. I’m a little disappointed he’s not in the lineup today, because he’s a guy that you want to watch. I’m happy for Pirates fans that they got the investment they did this offseason."
Speaking of Konnor Griffin ...
“He’s going to be a superstar. ... Talking to people throughout the game last year during the season and seeing what he did, there’s not much he can’t do. His ability to play the infield, his ability to play the outfield -- I’m assuming he’s playing shortstop -- the power, the way he moves on the bases, this kid’s going to be a superstar."
On seeing Paul Skenes win the Cy Young Award:
“That was great. The sky’s the limit. There are no words. I use ‘incrinculent’ because I know it will play well back in Pittsburgh, but what Paul has the ability to do is unbelievable. I think the thing that separates Paul for me is he’s unbelievably talented, but his ability to adjust and still get better is scary. The fact that the way he works, as diligent as he is to his routine, you don’t see players like that, much less guys that are 23 years old. I was very happy for him. Obviously, with the exception of maybe one trip in May this year, I’ll cheer for Paul Skenes all the time.”