The Cincinnati Reds Part Ways with Manager David Bell
In a significant move, the Cincinnati Reds have announced the dismissal of manager David Bell, ending his six-year tenure with the club. Bell, who had a contract extending through the 2026 season, departs with a managerial record of 409 wins and 456 losses, translating to a .473 winning percentage.
Bell’s era at the Reds began with promise, leading the team to a postseason berth during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. However, the subsequent seasons saw a mix of struggles and modest triumphs. The team’s performance was notably inconsistent, highlighted by a dismal 62-100 record in 2022 and a respectable winning record in 2023, which offered a glimmer of hope.
Unfortunately, the Reds could not maintain that momentum into the current season. Despite the 2023 successes, 2024 did not unfold as the organization had hoped. The Reds languished in fourth place in the National League Central with a 76-81 record, prompting the management to seek a new direction.
Reds General Manager Nick Krall commented on the decision, stating, "David provided the kind of steadiness that we needed in our clubhouse over the last few seasons." However, Krall also pointed out the necessity for change: "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."
Freddie Benavides will step in as the interim manager for the final five games of the regular season. Benavides, an infielder originally drafted by the Reds in 1987, has been a familiar face in the Reds' dugout since joining as Bell’s bench coach in 2019.
Bell’s time with the Reds saw him become the 62nd manager in the franchise's storied history. His 409 wins rank him eighth among Reds managers, while his 456 losses place him fourth in that dubious category. Despite the mixed results, Bell's steady hand was a constant for a team seeking to build a foundation for future success.
Bell is not alone in facing the managerial axe this season. The Reds' decision follows the August firings of Pedro Grifol of the Chicago White Sox and Scott Servais of the Seattle Mariners, marking 2024 as a year of notable managerial turnovers in Major League Baseball.
As the Reds look to the immediate task of concluding the season under Benavides’ temporary leadership, the search for a permanent successor to steer the team into 2025 and beyond will undoubtedly be a priority. The organization will aim to find a manager who can harness the talents on the roster and steer the squad toward sustained success, something that eluded Bell during his tenure.
The Reds' faithful will be watching closely, hoping that the managerial change signals the beginning of a new and prosperous chapter in Cincinnati’s baseball narrative.