Pirates' Derek Shelton named to National League All-Star coaching staff

Derek Shelton was at home when the phone rang.

But it was upstairs, and he missed the call from old friend and mentor Rob Thomson.

“Wonder why Thomson is calling me at 9 o’clock in the morning? They’re in Arizona,” he said of the Philadelphia Phillies manager.

When Shelton called back, Thomson had some good news.

“What do you think about being on my staff for the All-Star Game?” Thomson said, not really asking a question.

As manager of the reigning National League champions, Thomson will lead the NL in the All-Star Game on July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

“Really?” Shelton said.

When it became clear this was no joke, Shelton and Thomson talked about their history together.

Then, when he ended the call with Thomson, Shelton’s wife, Allie, appeared.

“Allie came downstairs, and I was able to tell her, and that was emotional,” Shelton said. “It was an emotional moment for my wife and me. I’m so excited for my family. From talking to other people who have done it, they say it’s one of the greatest experiences of their lives. To be able to be on the field in Seattle is going to be cool. I’m sure I’ll be emotional during those days.”

It’s a special honor for Shelton for more than just the prestige of taking part in one of the game’s showpiece events.

“It’s even more special when I’m going with a person who I feel really impacted my career, and it’s one of the reasons I’m sitting in this chair,” he said. “I learned a lot of what I know about coaching from Rob Thomson.”

Shelton worked with Thomson in the New York Yankees organization when Shelton played for and managed minor-league teams for three seasons from 2000-02. Thomson worked in the Yankees front office, first as field coordinator and later as director of player development, starting in 2000.

Shelton, who has been the Pirates’ manager for the past 3½ years and had the team in first place in April with the NL’s best record (20-8), had another emotional moment waiting for him Thursday when Andrew McCutchen and the entire team made a special presentation in the clubhouse at PNC Park before the Pirates’ 5-4 victory against the San Diego Padres.

“I was kind of unaware (of the players’ plans),” he said. “I’m usually the one who calls meetings, and then I walked into a room and everybody was in there. My dad and my cousin’s husband and their kids were in there. It was really special.

“To hear the things that Cutch said means a lot. This is a guy who’s been to All-Star Games, not All-Star Game, which he made me aware of. The reception from the team and for them to get together and to do those things makes me feel good about what we’re building here and the group of guys in that room.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton on his reaction to Phillies manager Rob Thomson, a friend and mentor, asking him to be on the National League coaching staff for the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/rbeXFt7fEt

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) June 29, 2023

Said McCutchen: “It’s cool. It’s nice to be able to have the opportunity to present him with something and celebrate him. You don’t get to do that all the time as players. A lot of times, it’s just us being celebrated.

“It’s nice we were able to return the favor.”

Shelton doesn’t have the power to bring along his players, but he has two in mind, mentioning the closer who got the save Thursday and the starter who was the winning pitcher Wednesday.

“(David) Bednar and (Mitch) Keller for sure deserve to go,” he said.

Said Bednar: “It’s cool to celebrate him and the job he’s done.”