Twins Manager Derek Shelton's Profane Ejection Rant Caught on Hot Mic

Shelton unleashed a tirade after being ejected from the game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with players and umpires fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.A heated on-field exchange between a manager and umpire captures the raw emotion and high stakes of professional baseball.Minneapolis Today

Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was caught on a hot microphone unleashing a profanity-laced rant after being ejected from the team's game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. The argument between Shelton and the home plate umpire Nic Lentz occurred in the seventh inning after Reds star Elly de la Cruz checked his swing and then hit a two-out single.

Why it matters

Shelton's outburst highlights the intense emotions and high stakes involved in Major League Baseball, where managers and umpires often clash over close calls and judgment decisions that can significantly impact the outcome of games. The incident also shines a light on Shelton's fiery personality and competitive drive as he tries to turn around the struggling Twins franchise.

The details

According to reports, Shelton was ejected from the game after arguing with umpire Nic Lentz over a checked swing call that went against the Twins. The hot mic captured Shelton unleashing a profanity-laced tirade, repeatedly telling Lentz 'I did not say anything to you' and 'I said nothing to you' before accusing the umpire of making a 'bulls--t' call.

  • The incident occurred in the seventh inning of the Twins' 5-4 loss to the Reds on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • The loss was Minnesota's third straight, dropping them to 11-10 on the season.

The players

Derek Shelton

The first-year manager of the Minnesota Twins, who was previously the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2020-2025.

Nic Lentz

The home plate umpire who ejected Shelton from the game after a dispute over a checked swing call.

Elly de la Cruz

The Cincinnati Reds star shortstop whose checked swing led to the confrontation between Shelton and Lentz.

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What they’re saying

“I did not say anything to you. I said, 'Let's f--king go.' God damnit, c'mon. I didn't say anything to you. I said nothing to you. I said nothing — I did not say that. I did not say that. No. No. No I didn't. I did not say anything to you. All I said was, 'Let's f--king go.' No, that's bulls--t. You did not. God damnit. C'mon.”

— Derek Shelton, Twins Manager

What’s next

The Twins and Reds will conclude their series on Sunday, with Minnesota looking to avoid a sweep after dropping the first two games.

The takeaway

Shelton's outburst underscores the intense emotions and high stakes involved in Major League Baseball, where managers and umpires often clash over close calls that can significantly impact the outcome of games. The incident also highlights Shelton's fiery personality as he tries to turn around the struggling Twins franchise.