CINCINNATI — David Bell has been hired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, tasked with helping turn around a team that skidded to a 67-95 record and last-place finish in the NL Central.
Bell, 46, has agreed to a 3-year contract through the 2021 season, with a club option for 2022, to become the 63rd field manager in club history and the 53rd since 1900. Bell is a Cincinnati native. He helped lead Moeller High School to the 1989 state baseball championship. He’ll be announced as the new manager at a press conference on Monday morning.
The Reds fired Bryan Price after a 3-15 start, and Jim Riggleman was interim manager for the rest of the season.
Bell was a minor league manager for the Reds from 2009-12, became the Chicago Cubs’ third base coach in 2013, St. Louis’ assistant hitting coach the following year and the Cardinals’ bench coach for the next three years. He was San Francisco’s vice president of player development last season.
Bell and his father, Reds front-office executive Buddy, become the fourth father-son duo to serve as major league managers, joining George and Dick Sisler, Bob and Joel Skinner, and Bob and Aaron Boone. Buddy Bell managed the Detroit Tigers (1996-1998), Colorado Rockies (2000-2002) and Kansas City Royals (2005-2007).
David Bell becomes the 63rd manager in Reds’ history. Hours after his hiring was announced, the Los Angeles Angels said they named Brad Ausmus their new skipper. That leaves the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays with managerial openings.
Bell, a former infielder, was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the seventh round of the 1990 draft and made his major league debut in 1995. He played parts of 12 seasons in the majors with the Indians, Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.
Bell also has experience as a third base coach, with the Chicago Cubs in 2013. He went to Chicago after 4 years managing in the Reds’ player development system, from 2009-2011 at Class AA Carolina and in 2012 at Class AAA Louisville. Following the 2009 campaign, he managed the Peoria Saguaros of the prestigious Arizona Fall League.
The former infielder was selected by the Indians in the seventh round of the June 1990 free agent draft and made his Major League debut in 1995. He played parts of 12 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians, Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.
Bell played in 35 Postseason games, reaching the American League Championship Series with Seattle in both 2000 and 2001 before playing in the World Series with the Giants in 2002, when he received the Willie McCovey Award as the Giants’ most inspirational player.
The Bells are one of Major League Baseball’s five 3-generation families, along with the Boones, Colemans, Hairstons and Schofield/Werths. Reds Hall of Famer Gus Bell is Buddy’s father and David’s grandfather. David’s brothers, Mike and Rick, also played professional baseball. Mike made 19 appearances for the Reds in 2000.
