What Happened to David Bell? MLB Firing Explained

David Bell, once regarded as a promising manager for the Cincinnati Reds, was recently fired. Following a season filled with disappointed expectations, the Reds made the decision to part ways with Bell. It has raising questions about the team’s direction and future.

So, what happened to David Bell and why was he fired from Cincinnati Reds? Here is everything to know about it.

Cincinnati Reds fire David Bell one year after extending his contract

The Cincinnati Reds made headlines on Sunday by firing manager David Bell, just a year after granting him a contract extension. This decision follows a frustrating season that has seen the team, once viewed as playoff contenders, miss the postseason for the tenth straight year.

Bell, aged 52, had been celebrated for leading the Reds through a revival after a dismal 100-loss season in 2022. It was also due to an emerging young roster, including standout shortstop Elly De La Cruz. However, after a disappointing performance, culminating in a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Reds opted to make a change with only five games left in the regular season.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall emphasized the need for a shift. Krall stated, “David provided the kind of steadiness that we needed in our clubhouse over the last few seasons. We felt a change was needed to move the major league team forward. We have not achieved the success we expected, and we need to begin focusing on 2025.” (via ESPN)

Over his six years with the team, Bell compiled a record of 409-456 and led the Reds to the playoffs during the shortened 2020 season.

Freddie Benavides, the bench coach, will step in as interim manager. Meanwhile, the organization considers potential candidates to fill the role permanently, including Skip Schumaker, David Ross, and Eduardo Perez.