Inside The Reds

Look: World Series Champion Manager Joe Maddon Weighs in on Reds' Decision to Fire David Bell

Bell was fired on Sunday night.

James Rapien

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell (25) greets staff before the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell (25) greets staff before the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, June 2, 2022. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Reds fired manager David Bell on Sunday night. Bell was in his sixth season with the team.

Longtime MLB manager and World Series Champion Joe Maddon weighed in on Cincinnati's decision during an appearance on MLB Network.

"The timing of it's really strange," Maddon said. "Injuries, everybody has those. Everybody's gonna have to win in spite of being injured. Quite frankly, I think what's happening is there's less blame being put on managers these days for inadequate records, and I think a lot of that has to do with the analytical influence on decision making."

Bell finished with a 409-456 record in six seasons in Cincinnati. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall said there were philosophical differences between him and Bell.

Related: Nine Candidates That Could Replace David Bell as Reds Manager

"A situation like this tells me there's something about them, they don't like the clubhouse somehow or the conversation has gotten to the point they don't like it," Maddon said. "More than anything, more than decision making. Because the players are hurt. Everybody gets hurt. But again, the decision making. A lot of the things that managers have to do on a daily basis comes from another thought process and not necessarily his."

Watch Krall's entire media session about the decision to fire Bell at the top of this page.

Make sure you bookmark Cincinnati Reds Talk for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!

You May Also Like:

Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Injury

Cincinnati Reds Legend Brandon Phillips is Making Major Impact in Retirement

Matt McLain Cleared to Swing, Not Yet Ready to Begin Rehab Assignment

Cincinnati Reds Free Agent Addition Appears on List No One Wants to Be On

Cincinnati Reds Have Four Prospects on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 List

Reds Top Prospect Rhett Lowder Has Another Dominant Outing in Double-A

Former Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Just Dropped in Latest Rankings 

Look: Cincinnati Reds Release 2025 Spring Training Schedule

Look: Cincinnati Reds Prospect Chase Petty Has Awesome Outing

Cincinnati Reds Legend Critical of Mindset and Expectations in Clubhouse 

Why Hunter Greene Deserves Real Cy Young Award Consideration This Season

Cincinnati Reds TJ Friedl Gets Hilarious Reaction After Hitting Home Run

Reds Infielder Jonathan India: A Tale of Peaks, Potential, and an Uncertain Future

Cincinnati Reds Bringing Back Familiar Face, Signing Tucker Barnhart to Contract

Watch: Cincinnati Reds Prospect Cam Collier Joins Intentional Talk on MLB Network

Cincinnati Reds Make it Official, Will Play Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway

Cincinnati Reds Release Complete Schedule for 2024 Regular Season

-----

Follow Inside the Reds on Twitter/X: @RedsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Reds Podcast

Follow on Instagram

Published |Modified
James Rapien

JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien covers the Bengals and Reds for Sports Illustrated's AllBengals.com and InsidetheReds.com. He's one-half of the Locked on Bengals Podcast. He's also the co-owner/creator of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. He earned a journalism degree from the University of Cincinnati and has spent the majority of his professional career in the Queen City. Rapien previously covered the Cavaliers and Indians in Cleveland. He has a background in radio, which includes stops at 700 WLW, ESPN 1530 and 92.3 The Fan. He loves a good trade rumor and uses copious amounts of hot sauce on his food. Cincinnati chili is his go-to meal, followed by gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. When he isn't working or eating, he's probably walking his dog Finley or spending time with family. 

Home/News