MINNEAPOLIS -- Six months is a lot of time to sit and think. But Derek Shelton is glad he had it, and confident he’s better off for it.

Shelton, who was introduced Tuesday as the new manager of the Twins , was dismissed by Pittsburgh in early May. He took some time away from baseball entirely, then started watching it with a different viewpoint. By the time the postseason came around, his perspective had changed.

Not only has Shelton’s love for the game been rekindled, he also feels he’s more equipped to be a successful manager.

“When you have four months to think about those things … you go through different periods,” Shelton said, “and I think that the reflection period and the ability to talk to people I was around and get kind of open and honest feedback [was important]. And I do

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