Reds extend manager David Bell through 2026 season

LOS ANGELES -- In the midst of a surprising season that has the club contending for the postseason, the Reds announced Friday that they have given manager David Bell a three-year contract extension through the 2026 season.

Bell, 50, first took over as manager of his hometown team ahead of the 2019 season. He was in the final year of a two-year contract extension that was signed after the 2021 season.

“Thank you to the organization, starting with [Reds CEO] Bob Castellini and [vice president and general manger] Nick [Krall] for having the trust and belief in me to continue on in this role," Bell said. "It’s been an incredible process and we’re in a really strong place right now. I love, absolutely love, our players. I love our team. Love the direction we’re headed in."

Entering Friday, Cincinnati was 56-48 with a young roster that has featured numerous rookie players -- including Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Andrew Abbott, Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The club has also performed for much of the season with key rotation members Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo on the injured list.

"David has done a great job this year," Krall said. "This coaching staff has done a great job this year. We came in, and it was about growing. We’ve done that. We’ve created a culture around the big league clubhouse, integrated a lot of young players into our big league team and continued to grow. Players get better, coaches get better, it’s been a lot of fun to watch."

Although intangibles can be subjective, Bell has been credited with creating a strong clubhouse chemistry. It showed throughout Spring Training, including when he organized a three-point shooting basketball contest for the players and staff.

The team started 2023 with a 7-15 record, however, and it appeared another long season was ahead. But Bell encouraged players to keep supporting each other, not trying to do too much and creating a next-man-up mentality. A different player seems to make big contributions in each win.

It appears to have paid off. The Reds came into Friday 1 1/2 games behind the Brewers in the National League Central and are currently holding one of the three NL Wild Card spots.

"It helped tremendously," Krall said. "David took it as a challenge to make sure he was going to create the best culture he could heading into the season. This is something we sat down and talked about. He had plans for the offseason, working through Spring Training. One thing led to another. It’s really taken off."

Going into play vs. the Dodgers on Friday, Bell had a 307-343 record with Cincinnati. The team made the postseason in the abbreviated 2020 season and went 83-79 in '21 while missing the playoffs.

In 2022, the Reds endured a roster teardown amid cost cutting and finished with a 62-100 record. Several members of Bell's coaching staff were dismissed and he came into this season in a contract year.

“We’ve all been in that situation before and [it’s not] ideal. At the same time, it’s easy, in a way, to focus every day on this job," Bell said. "It’s the best to be able to just dedicate, at least a big part of your life, to something we all care about so much. I figured it would work out the way it’s supposed to."

It was expected to be a continued rebuilding year in 2023, but the team has moved up the timetable to contend significantly.

Extension talks have been ongoing over the past few weeks between Bell and the club. A third-generation Major Leaguer, he never played for the Reds but grew up in Cincinnati and went to Moeller High School. Bell's father, Buddy, played third base for the Reds from 1985-88 and his grandfather, Gus, was a star outfielder for Cincinnati from 1953-61. Bell's late brother, Mike, played 19 games for the Reds in 2000.

If Bell completes the next contract, his eight-year tenure would be the longest for a Reds manager since Sparky Anderson helmed the dugout from 1970-78 and won two World Series with the Big Red Machine teams.

“Wow. I have incredible respect for Sparky," Bell said. "I think for me, it’s how grateful I am to even have a year of this opportunity to do something that means so much to me, especially here in Cincinnati. … To be able to do this here, with all we’ve built, is very meaningful. A lot of people within our organization are the reason I get to continue this.”