Minnesota Bell coach and former MLB player Mike Bell died of kidney cancer on Friday, the team announced.
He was 46 years old.
Bell reportedly fell ill last July, during his first season on the twins’ bench, and underwent surgery in January, shortly after receiving a diagnosis.
Coming from a long line of baseball players and coaches, Bell was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 1993 draft.
The third baseman and native of Cincinnati played 19 games for the 2,000 Reds in his only season in the MLB before moving on to the post of coach.
“Our Reds family is overwhelmed with sadness for the Bells as they mourn the loss of Mike,” said Reds owner Bob Castellini in a statement. “This great baseball family has blessed thousands of people over the 70 years that they have dedicated themselves to our game. We are honored that Mike, as well as his grandfather Gus, his father Buddy and his brother David, wore a Reds uniform. Our hearts and support go out to Buddy, David and their families. “
The family asked the Reds, Twins and Diamondbacks – with whom Mike spent 13 years working on player development – to play their spring training games in his honor instead of canceling to mourn.
“We know Mike as a baseball man, but I can say that, with the love he has for the game and for everyone in the game, he was a family man first of all,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, according to ESPN. “He brought that passion to the field as our reserve coach. He was an incredible bank technician because he was incredible with people ”.
The twins said in a statement that Bell had “an indelibly positive impact” on the organization.
The Diamondbacks also mourned Bell’s death.
“Mike was really loved by everyone who knew him – from coaches and players to colleagues and employees in Arizona and throughout our minor league system,” the team said in a statement. “His loss left a huge hole in our hearts, but its impact cannot be overstated and his legacy will not be forgotten.”
Mike leaves his wife and three children.