David Bell Is Guiding Louisville Bats to the Major Leagues

Louisville Bats manager David Bell and pitcher Brett Tomko

David Bell grew up in Cincinnati and is one of three generations to play in the Major Leagues.   He never played for the Reds, although his grandfather Gus, father Buddy and brother Mike all played for the Reds.

His father is the director of player personnel for the Chicago White Sox and managed in Colorado, Detroit and Kansas City.  David is on the fast track to following his father's footsteps.

His grandfather and grandmother, Joyce, we born and raised in Louisville so there are times when he leaves 20 passes for great aunts and second cousins.

The Reds promoted Bell from Double A Carolina to Triple A Louisville to facilitate the development of younger players.  Bell played in San Francisco for Reds' manager Dusty Baker on the 2002 World Series team.

On this date, July 25, 2012 the Bats are at the bottom of the International League with a record of 39-66 but the focus is player development.

It has been said that managing at the Triple A level is the most difficult managerial job in baseball.  The players on the way up are so anxious to be promoted and the experienced players are upset that they are not in the Major Leagues.

"I've heard the same thing. There can be some truth to that," Bell said. "I've played for four different Triple A teams so I knew what they were talking about when they said that.  I knew what to expect when I came here but if you don't really put a lot of energy towards any of that type of negativity.  If you keep it about the game, keep it about getting to the big leagues and playing the game the right way.  If you keep it about being a good teammate. You have to concentrate on what you're doing here because if you do it here, you'll do it in the big leagues.  That stuff really doesn't come into play a lot.  I'm certainly aware of it"

There is no denying that every player here wants to be in the big leagues.

"That's the way it should be," Bell said.  "We're ok with that.  There is that challenge but overall it's been a great experience."


Tonight Brett Tomko returns from the disabled list to pitch against the New York Mets Triple A entry, the Buffalo Bison.

Tomko signed with the Reds to add depth to the pitching staff, bearing in mind the baseball saying you never have too much pitching.

This week I will feature Tomko, Neftali Soto, Henry Rodriguez and Didi Gregorius.