Family affair: Rebuilding Reds pick David Bell to lead them

CINCINNATI >> David Bell buttoned his Reds jersey with the No. 25, the same one worn by his grandfather and his father. Buddy Bell stood in the back of the room, watching the scene as a proud papa. In the front row was young Gus Bell, named for the grandfather who was a star in Cincinnati.

The Reds reached into their family roots for their next manager, one who is expected to help lead the club out of its rebuilding doldrums.

David Bell was introduced as the Reds’ 63rd manager on Monday in the city where he grew up. How much he succeeds will depend upon the front office, which hasn’t been able to translate its high-profile trades into on-field success.

The Reds hope that having a member of an esteemed Cincinnati baseball family in the dugout will get fans’ attention for at least the short-term. Gus Bell played for the Reds from 1953-61 and is in their Hall of Fame. Buddy Bell was a popular player with the Reds from 1985-88. Now David has a third-generation place on the field.

“I used to go and watch his grandfather play,” owner Bob Castellini said. “His grandfather’s namesake is in the front row, little Gus.

“He brings a Cincinnati tradition back to us. The Bell family is a Cincinnati family.”

The city’s last shining baseball moment came in 2015, when it hosted the All-Star Game. The franchise then embarked on a massive overhaul, trading away most of its stars — including Todd Frazier, who won the AllStar Home Run Derby. The team had little to show for it at the major league level, losing 94, 94 and 95 games each of the last three seasons, its worst stretch since the Great Depression.

Ausmus introduced as the L.A. Angels’ new manager

ANAHEIM >> During 18 major league seasons as a catcher and four more as a manager, Brad Ausmus developed a strong gut instinct about nearly everything that happens on a baseball field.

While spending the past year out of a dugout, Ausmus developed a deeper understanding of how traditional beliefs aren’t always correct.

With a sturdy baseball foundation and a willingness to adopt new analytical knowledge, Ausmus was the Los Angeles Angels’ ideal choice to take charge as their first new manager of the 21st century.

General manager Billy Eppler and owner Arte Moreno introduced Ausmus on a sunny Monday at Angel Stadium, formally opening the Orange County club’s next chapter after Mike Scioscia’s 19-year dugout tenure ended three weeks ago.

“I’m very excited to have an opportunity to lead a club like this with so many great players,” Ausmus said after trying on his new No. 12 Halos jersey.