Giants vice president Bell hired as Reds’ manager
David Bell, who had been the Giants’ vice president of player development, was hired Sunday as manager of the Reds, tasked with helping turn around a team that skidded to a 67-95 record and last-place finish in the NL Central.
The move returns Bell to his hometown, where his grandfather Gus Bell and father Buddy Bell played. Buddy Bell and David Bell 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 Tigers (1996-1998), Rockies (2000-2002) and Royals (2005-2007) and is now in the Reds’ front office.
The Reds said Sunday that David Bell has been given a three-year contract that includes a team option for 2022. The Cincinnati native is to be introduced at a news conference Monday.
The Reds fired Cal alum Bryan Price after a 3-15 start, and Jim Riggleman was interim manager for the rest of the season.
Bell, 46, was a minor-league manager for the Reds from 2009 through ’12, became the 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 joined the Giants last season to oversee their minorleague system.
Bell played 12 major-league seasons for six teams, and Giants fans well remember his lone year in San Francisco in 2002. He scored the winning run on a Kenny Lofton single in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Cardinals, and was barreling home to score in Game 5 of the World Series against the Angels when J.T. Snow lifted 3year-old batboy Darren Baker out of harm’s way.
Bell becomes the 63rd manager in Reds’ history. Ausmus to manage Angels: Brad Ausmus was named the Angels’ manager, moving from the front office to the dugout to replace longtime skipper Mike Scioscia.
General manager Billy Eppler announced the hiring of Ausmus, who served as Eppler’s special assistant last season after four years as the Tigers’ manager.
Ausmus got a three-year contract with the Angels. He will be introduced at Angel Stadium on Monday.
Scioscia had held the job since the 2000 season, winning the Angels’ only World Series title — against the Giants in 2002 — and becoming the winningest manager in franchise history. He left the club this month after 19 seasons and 1,650 victories.
After finishing 80-82 for the second consecutive year, the Angels are coming off three straight losing seasons overall for the first time since 1992-94. Los Angeles has played only three postseason games in the past nine seasons, losing them all in 2014 after winning the AL West.
The hiring of Bell and Ausmus left the Orioles, Twins, Rangers and Blue Jays with managerial openings.