Earlier this morning, the Cincinnati Reds announced that they had hired former Phillies third baseman David Bell as their manager. The Bell hire ends a weeks long interview process that saw the club interview Joe Girardi and Brad Ausmus among others.
Since ending his 12 year playing career in 2006, Bell has stayed in Major League baseball at various positions. He managed Cincinnati’s Double-A affiliate from 2009-11 and their Triple-A affiliate in 2012. At the major league level, Bell has coached third base for the Cubs and spent three seasons as the Cardinals’ bench coach. He also spent this past season as Vice President of player development with the Giants – a job similar to Gabe Kapler’s role with the Dodgers. Bell had also been linked to the Rangers job before being hired by Cincinnati.
David Bell will be the 63rd manager in #Reds franchise history. https://t.co/N7iac8qMNg
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) October 21, 2018
The Bell family history is one littered with baseball connections, particularly with the Reds. When the move is made official at a press conference on Monday, Bell will become the fourth father-son duo to manage in the MLB. His dad, Buddy Bell, previously managed the Royals, Rockies and Tigers and played four seasons with the Reds. He currently serves in Cincinnati’s front office. In addition to that, his grandfather, Gus Bell, spent nine seasons with the team.
Another former Phillie, utility infielder John McDonald, has been linked to the Blue Jays job. McDonald was briefly with the club in 2013 and is perhaps best remembered for pitching in an 18 inning marathon game against the Diamondbacks. Outfielder Casper Wells also pitched in the game.
PHILLIES & DIAMONDBACKS SET NEW TEAM RECORDS FOR LONGEST LENGTH OF GAME–7 HRS. 6 MIN. STATS–137 AT BATS 35 HITS… http://t.co/SgVZwbRn7K
— Sport Fans Unite Now (@FansUniteNow) August 25, 2013
Of course, three and a half of Bell’s 12 seasons were spent with the Phillies, primarily at third base. Bell isn’t really remembered for much in Philadelphia seeing as he delivered mostly average production in a down period for the team. Perhaps the most notable Phillies tidbit about Bell is that he was on the squad for the inaugural season at Citizens Bank Park in 2004.