Twins mourn the loss of bench coach Mike Bell

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The entire Minnesota Twins organization is saddened by the death of current bench coach Mike Bell, who passed away today at the age of 46 from cancer. The Twins issued the following statement regarding the loss of Bell:

“The Minnesota Twins are devastated by the loss of Mike Bell. In his short time with our club, Mike had an indelibly positive impact – not only on the quality of our team on the field, but most importantly upon everyone whom he met. Widely respected in our game, all who knew Mike, on and off the field, are better for the experience. The Twins join the baseball world in mourning Mike’s untimely passing; our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife, Kelly, his three children, Luke, Mikayla and Madeline, and the entire Bell family during this difficult time.”

Bell joined the Twins organization as manager Rocco Baldelli’s bench coach prior to the club’s division-winning 2020 season; the 2021 campaign was to be his 29th in professional baseball. Before coming to Minnesota, Bell spent the previous 13 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, serving as Vice President of Player Development (2017-19), Director of Player Development (2011-16), Minor League Field Coordinator (2010) and as a minor league manager for three seasons (2008-09 at Single-A Visalia and 2007 at Short-A Yakima). As a player, Bell was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 1993 First-Year Player Draft and played parts of 13 seasons (1993-2005) with seven organizations. He made his major league debut on July 20, 2000 for the Cincinnati Reds and hit two homers with four RBI across 19 games.

Mike Bell was part of a three-generation baseball family that is among the most respected and beloved in the game: Grandfather, Gus, played 15 years in the majors; father, Buddy, spent 27 years in Major League Baseball, nine as a manager and 18 as a player; brother, Ricky, was a third-round selection by Los Angeles-NL in the 1997 First-Year Player Draft; and brother, David, is entering his third season as Cincinnati’s manager, after a 12-year playing career in the majors.