PERSONAL: Derek Lee Shelton...wife, Alison...three children, Jackson, Isabella and Gianna...father, Ron, was a left-handed pitcher for Bluefield (Baltimore) in Appalachian League from 1966-67...attended Warren Township High School; his number 8 is currently retired...graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in criminal justice...caught four seasons from 1989-92...as a junior, led the Missouri Valley Conference by throwing out 43% of opposing base stealers...named to All-Missouri Valley Conference Academic Team as junior in 1991...serves as a spokesman for Speed Hitter, a batting practice aid for players of all ages...along with wife Alison, ran a mystery ball event while with the Rays and raised over $200,000 for Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.
COACHING CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 marks 15th season as a coach in some capacity at the major league level, second as Twins bench coach, serving 2018 under Manager Paul Molitor...managed in Molitor's absence (attended HOF induction ceremonies) July 28-29, 2018 at Boston (0-2)...still remains longest tenured hitting coach in Tampa Bay's history, having spent seven seasons as hitting coach under Joe Maddon (2010-16)...replaced Hall of Famer Eddie Murray as Cleveland's hitting coach in 2005...in first full season with Indians in 2006, the club finished second in baseball in runs scored (860)...over his five-year tenure with Cleveland, they ranked fifth in baseball in runs scored, third in OBP and sixth in SLG...served as hitting coach for MLB All-Star team that played in five games against Chinese Taipei national team in Taiwan in November of 2011.
PLAYING CAREER: Played two seasons as a catcher in New York-AL's organization from 1992-93, combining to hit .341 in 46 games, including a .382 batting average for Rookie-Oneonta in 1992...underwent elbow surgery after 1993 season, ending playing career.