The Cincinnati Reds fired manager David Bell on Sunday with five games to go in a disappointing season that began with the Reds as playoff contenders and will end with them missing the postseason for the 10th consecutive full season.
Bell, 52, received a three-year contract extension in July 2023 after the surprising Reds surged into contention following a 100-loss season in 2022.
With an exciting young core that included shortstop Elly De La Cruz and a cadre of talented arms, the Reds were expected to be in play for a National League Central title.
Instead, they faltered, with injury and underperformance leading to a 76-81 record and fourth-place standing. «David provided the kind of steadiness that we needed in our clubhouse over the last few seasons,» Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said in a statement. «We felt a change was needed to move the Major League team forward.