Report: D-backs’ Mike Bell to interview for Mets manager job
Oct 9, 2019, 2:08 PM
Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves walks up tp the on-deck circle prior to his at bat against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The New York Mets are one of several MLB teams with a vacancy at the manager position, and Arizona Diamondbacks vice president of player development Mike Bell is reportedly a candidate for the job.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday that Bell would interview in-person for the Mets’ opening, and the Pittsburgh Pirates were “also doing background work on Bell.”
The Mets job came open after they fired manager Mickey Callaway after two seasons. The Pirates have an opening following the dismissal of Clint Hurdle.
Bell, 44, is well-connected in the baseball world as he is the brother of Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell, the son of longtime major leaguer Buddy Bell and the grandson of Reds alumnus Gus Bell. Bell’s son, Luke, was drafted by the Diamondbacks this summer.
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A former first-round selection by the Rangers in 1993, Bell played minor league baseball for 13 seasons. In 1997, his career took a turn when he was selected by the D-backs in the expansion draft. He reached the big leagues in 2000 with the Reds for 19 games.
In 2007, Bell started his managerial career with short-season Yakima and went on to manage Single-A Visalia, now a D-backs affiliate, for two years. He became the D-backs’ Minor League Field Coordinator in 2010 and has been in charge of player development for nine years.
According to Rosenthal, Bell interviewed with the Rangers and Orioles last offseason.
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