By now, you know our first Winter Meltdown guest for 2026 is LaTroy Hawkins. Today, we’re excited to reveal the second featured interview taking the stage at this year’s Twins Daily Winter Meltdown: Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton.
Shelton was named the new manager of the Twins in late 2025, marking a return to an organization that already knows him well. He previously served as Minnesota’s bench coach during the club’s recent run of division titles, making this a homecoming as much as a new chapter. Shelton takes over the role from Rocco Baldelli and brings with him a steady, experienced voice shaped by years of leadership at the major-league level.
Before returning to Minnesota, Shelton spent five seasons as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading a team in the midst of a rebuild and earning respect for his steady leadership, strong relationships with players, and forward-thinking approach. His résumé spans nearly every corner of a major-league staff, from player development to hitting coach to bench coach, giving him a broad, practical perspective that connects equally well with established veterans and emerging talent.
At the Winter Meltdown this weekend, fans will get a rare opportunity to hear directly from Shelton early in his tenure as Twins manager. Expect insight into his return to Minnesota, his vision for the team, and reflections on the journey that brought him back to the Twin Cities – all in the relaxed, fan-first atmosphere that has become a Meltdown tradition.
Pairing Shelton with LaTroy Hawkins creates a must-see lineup: a former fan-favorite Twin alongside the franchise’s new on-field leader. Add in live interviews hosted by Aaron Gleeman and John Bonnes, and the 2026 Winter Meltdown is shaping up to be another unforgettable night for Twins fans.
Tickets are limited, and if past Meltdowns are any indication, this is one interview you won’t want to miss.
Tickets
It’s not too late to get tickets, but you can’t just buy them. We hoped to sell some for $60, but we’re limited to just 250 tickets, and we need to prioritize our Caretakers, so we can’t release them to the general public. But you can become a Caretaker for as little as $4/month, and that gets you a free ticket, AND you can bring up to three more guests for just $20 each.
If you are already a Caretaker, THANK YOU. But please do not delay in buying your ticket. We will likely sell out, even limiting them to Caretakers and their friends. So grab them now.
Each ticket includes:
Two complimentary craft beers
An exclusive Winter Meltdown 2026 pint glass
Automatic entry into door prize raffles
Five hours of premium Hot Stove hangouts with your people
Live on-stage interviews hosted by Aaron Gleeman & John Bonnes
Face time with special guests who mingle with the Twins Daily community
Event Details
Date: Saturday, January 24
Time: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Smorgie’s, 508 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis
With the Winter Meltdown falling on the same weekend as TwinsFest, the day will be a full, perfectly sequenced celebration of baseball. Spend the afternoon at Target Field soaking in TwinsFest, then make the easy trip over to Smorgie’s to keep the energy rolling – the ideal way to transition from daytime fan fest to an evening surrounded by fellow diehards, cold drinks, and great conversation.
