By Conrad Clowers
Herald Sports Writer
Let鈥檚 just face it. David Bell was not a good fit for the Cincinnati Reds. The now former Reds manager set a record for most ejections from a game. He was saddled with making questionable calls. It got to the point where Reds brass had grown so tired of Bell he didn鈥檛 even get to complete the 2024 season. With five games left in the MLB season the Reds fired Bell. Nobody’s crying for Bell, as he will be paid by the Reds not to work. The team still has to pay Bell his contract that lasts through 2026.
Bell finished his Reds managing career with 409 wins and 456 losses. He managed six season, and had one playoff appearance. When you trade in a car, you usually want to look for an upgrade over what you just had. No doubt the Reds followed that philosophy. David Bell鈥檚 ending became Terry Francona’s beginning. Going into the 2025 season, the Reds now have a seasoned veteran coach. A coach that has had success every place he has managed. While at Boston, Francona won not one but two World Series titles. Francona has managed a total of 23 years with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians/Guardians. In all that time the new Reds manager has 921 wins against 757 losses.
Francona鈥檚 health had gotten to the point where it was bad enough after the 2023 season for him to leave the game. He spent the 2024 season healing and nursing himself back to full strength. They say that timing is everything. When the Reds came calling Francona says he was back to being healthy and ready for a new challenge. The Reds鈥 new skipper will have a host of talented plays such as Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain to work with. It never truly felt that Bell was able to get the most out of the talent that he had.聽聽聽
Francona has managed such superstars as Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and Corey Kluber. All ended up either winning or playing in a World Series under Francona.
The expectations of the Cincinnati Reds were instantly taken up a level the second Francona was named new skipper. It鈥檚 not the first time the Reds have hired legends at the manager position. The team had Dusty Baker, Davey Johnson and Lou Piniella as skippers in the past as well. All were able to get the most our of their talent. If any one can get this group to play the best ball they can possibly play and take results to the next level, Terry Francona is as good of a bet to do that as anybody. 聽聽