The Pittsburgh Pirates wanted a new voice, and they found one who is as quick with a compliment as he is a wisecrack, one who isn’t afraid to delegate or deal with criticism that comes with sitting in his chair, one whose two-decade wait to manage a major league game was delayed by another 120 days.

If Derek Shelton has learned anything from two decades of coaching baseball, from the minors to the major leagues, it’s that he doesn’t have to change his fun-loving personality for the managerial position. He wants to share his love for the game, starting with Pirates players.

“I want our club to take the identification of themselves, of our group in the room,” Shelton said. “I realize my role as the manager. They’re going to take and feed off a little bit of how I am and especially in terms of the culture we’re trying to create. But the big thing for our group is I want those guys to have their own personalities. … They’re starting to show their voice. They’re starting to be actionable, and that’s exciting for me.”

As exciting for Shelton is that his debut as a major-league manager has finally arrived. The Pirates play the St. Louis Cardinals at 8:15 p.m. today at Busch Stadium, six days before Shelton celebrates his 50th birthday.

“This was the goal,” said Shelton, whose catching career ended in the minor leagues after undergoing elbow surgery. “I knew I was not going to play in the big leagues. I was very honest with my skill set. I knew I wanted to coach.”

I’ve been waiting a while to manage a game with that skyline as the backdrop.

Man this place is beautiful.

We’ll do it for real here in a few days and I can’t wait! #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/xQIjl3G6R6

— Derek Shelton (@derekshelton) July 19, 2020

It’s everything Shelton dreamed about and nothing like he ever imagined, as the coronavirus pandemic shut the sport down for three full months. MLB is playing a shortened, 60-game season that Shelton has likened to a sprint instead of a marathon.

Despite the disappointment of missing Opening Day in Tampa, where he served as hitting coach, or his first scheduled road trip to his hometown of Chicago, that Shelton’s debut comes in St. Louis is somewhat appropriate: His parents’ first date was a Cardinals game. (The only detail Shelton shared is that Hall of Famer Bob Gibson was pitching).

Shelton said his family will be on his mind when he stands for the national anthem, as he won’t be able to share the moment with his family and closest friends because fans aren’t allowed to attend games.

“Someone like ‘Shelty,’ who’s worked so hard to get this chance and thinks about that first game and you think about doing it at a certain place and you think about your family there and all those things, I feel for him that it won’t play out quite that way,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said. “We’ll make sure he gets that moment in time.”

What has impressed Cherington is how Shelton’s enthusiasm never wavered during the quarantine, instead injecting himself into baseball operations by sitting in on scouting meetings in preparation for the MLB Draft, as well as the leadership he’s shown by “his comfort in trusting and empowering others on the staff to do their jobs.”

“That’s not surprising but really encouraging to see,” Cherington said. “I know he’s champing at the bit to manage that first game and we’re excited for him.”

Humbled and honored to have #HOF jerseys signed by Carew and Maz hanging on the the wall, not to mention a photo with 2 @Twins and 2 @Pirates legends. Maz, Tony O, Rod and @TheRealSangy35. #LetsGoBucs https://t.co/nTAcBwF1LH

— Derek Shelton (@derekshelton) July 15, 2020

Shelton credits his mentors, especially Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, for preparing him for this moment by showing the importance of listening and learning and resisting the temptation to talk. That is a refreshing change for Pirates players from previous manager Clint Hurdle, and they have embraced Shelton’s open-door policy.

“He makes himself approachable, man,” said Pirates right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove, the Opening Day starter. “When it comes to communication, you feel like you’re on the same level with him. He’s open to what you have to say. He’ll always let you speak. Not always agree with you, might not always give you what you want, but you’re always welcome to come in and talk. He put the players first. As players, that’s what we want. We’re the ones out on the field, winning the games. When a manager can get behind you and get you what you need, free you up to go be yourself and be an athlete, that’s what we want.”

Nothing better than a game of tag. pic.twitter.com/ysFpywlx3m

— Pirates (@Pirates) July 19, 2020

In Shelton, the Pirates have found a manager who keeps things loose with levity yet insists on exercising with efficiency. He has cracked jokes and run the bases in practicing rundowns but Pirates bench coach Don Kelly said Shelton knows when to get serious and keep his team on task.

“He wants us to be aggressive,” Kelly said, “and play the game the right way.”

For that, Shelton is unapologetic. He waited his turn, then waited his time. Shelton inherited a 93-loss team that finished last in the NL Central last season and knows it’s his job to manage the Pirates the only way he knows how, by playing to the strengths of his personality.

“When you sit in the manager’s chair, you’re going to take scrutiny, regardless of what you do,” Shelton said. “One of the things that I feel strongly about is, we’re going to manage. I’m going to manage to the strengths of our club and make the decisions we feel are best.”

The choice as the Pirates’ new voice, Shelton is game for his debut.

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