For Derek Shelton, learning of the death of his mentor, Mark Newman, was “a gut punch” that had made the Pittsburgh Pirates manager emotional before Saturday’s game at the Kansas City Royals.

As vice president of baseball operations for the New York Yankees, Newman gave Shelton his start as a baseball coach. Newman was found dead Saturday in his Tampa home. He was 71.

Shelton said he awoke to multiple phone calls from people sharing the news about Newman.

“Seriously, besides my dad, he’s probably been the greatest influence in my professional life,” Shelton said. “He was a mentor to me. He challenged me every day. He made me better. He made me pay attention to details. It’s about as hard as it can be. …

“Not only did he hire me. He was the first person that told me I was going to manage in the big leagues. He’s a Saluki just like I am. He went to Southern Illinois. It hurts. It sucks. It’s one of those people you don’t see every day, but he’s still part of you. And this guy’s part of me.”

Words can’t express my sorrow today in learning the passing of Mark Newman. He gave me my first job in baseball with @Yankees, challenged us everyday to be a better coach,communicator and listener. Baseball lost a great teacher and I lost a mentor and friend. RIP Mark

— Derek Shelton (@derekshelton) September 12, 2020

Newman oversaw the Yankees’ minor-league operations from 1996-2009, helping develop players like Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada who were cornerstones of five World Series championship teams during Newman’s tenure.

“He was at the center of the dynasty of the Yankees,” Shelton said. “What people do not realize, I think, and I know a little bit today he got some credit for this is he developed really good players — like great players, Hall of Fame players — he also probably created some of the best coaches in baseball. And I’m not including myself in that group, but some of the guys that are Major League managers, coaches that have done unbelievable things came through that system.”

Shelton said that he was challenged by Newman to never become complacent, and forced the former minor-league catcher to work outside his comfort zone by working with infielders and outfielders. It helped him learn the finer points of the game and become more well-rounded.

“When I thought I was doing a good job, he challenged me to do something else,” Shelton said. “It wasn’t that he wasn’t proud of me or he wasn’t happy with me. It was like, ‘OK, you’ve got this. Here’s the next step.’ … Because he knew I was going to manage, and he knew I was going to have to watch the whole game.

“There was always a process to what he did to make me better. I appreciate that to the nth degree. He never let a small detail that I thought should get by go by. He was always pointing it out to me. …

“People like to throw around ‘coaching coaches.’ This guy was the master of coaching coaches. He was the best ever at it. There’ll never be anybody like him because of the way he challenged people. I’m very fortunate that he was a part of my life.”

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---