By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Twelve-year Major League veteran infielder David Bell — the most recent of seven Philadelphia Phillies players to ever hit for the cycle in June 2004 — is considered to be the "possible favorite" to become the Cincinnati Reds' 62nd manager in franchise history, according to Fancred's Jon Heyman.
Update, Oct. 21, 2018: The Reds have hired Bell as their new manager on a three-year pact with a club option for a fourth season, according to CBS Sports on Sunday. A press conference will be held on Monday. Joe Girardi likely was the Reds' top choice, given he withdrew from consideration just on Friday. Bell was also considered a finalist for the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays managerial openings.
Bell, 46, was born and drafted out of high school in Cincinnati, having attended the same high school — Archbishop Moeller — as Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin, along with his father, Buddy Bell, and brother, Mike Bell. All four played with the Reds in their careers. Bell's grandfather, Gus Bell, also played with the Reds, nine seasons from 1953-1961.
Buddy himself was a MLB manager for nine seasons from 1996-98, 2000-02 and 2005-07. Currently, he serves the Reds' senior advisor to General Manager Nick Krall, and is one of three front office vice presidents.
David is currently the San Francisco Giants' vice president of player development. Prior, he served on the St. Louis Cardinals coaching staff from 2014-17 in bench and assisted hitting coach roles, and on the Chicago Cubs' staff as third base coach in 2013. Bell previously served as a manager and coach in the Reds organization from 2009-2012.
Bell's placement atop the Reds' managerial search — along with John Farrell, Joe Girardi, Brad Ausmus and interim manager Jim Riggleman also in the running — is in part thanks to Reds brass crediting him for "winning the respect of players," notes Heyman. All five have been interviewed over the past week, along with three members of the Reds coaching staff: Billy Hatcher, Pat Kelly and Freddie Benavides. Longtime Giants coach Hensley Meulens and longtime Tampa Bay Rays coach Charlie Montoyo will also be interviewed this week, per MLB.com.
Heyman writes:
Girardi and Ausmus, like Farrell and Riggleman, too, have extensive MLB managing resumes, with all but Ausmus managing in multiple places. Riggleman is one of a handful of managers to guide five MLB teams.
The Reds also interviewed Billy Hatcher, Freddie Benavides and Pat Kelly from their coaching staff. There’s been some speculation Eduardo Perez, a respected former Astros coach and the son of Reds icon Tony Perez, who also grew up in Cincinnati, could also get a look.
But for now Bell may be the one in the lead.
Over his career, Bell played with six different Major League clubs: the Cleveland Indians (1995, 1998), St. Louis Cardinals (1995-98), Seattle Mariners (1998-2001), Giants (2002), Phillies (2003-2006) and Milwaukee Brewers (2006). In 1,403 career games, Bell slashed .257/.320/.396 with 1,239 hits, 123 home runs, 589 RBI, 428 walks and 687 strikeouts.
The other six Phillies to have hit for the cycle before Bell include: Gregg Jefferies (August 1995), Johnny Callison (June 1963), Chuck Klein (July 1931, May 1933), Cy Williams (August 1927), Sam Thompson (August 1894) and Lave Cross (April 1894).
As Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams has stated, the Reds hope to name their next manager by the end of October. If the club decides on Bell, he would become the 12th former Phillies player to earn such title, joining: Pete Mackanin (2007), Bob Boone (2001-03), Davey Johnson (1993-95), Tony Perez (1993), Pete Rose (1984-89), Sparky Anderson (1970-78), Dick Sisler (1964-65), Bucky Walters (1948-49), Dan Howley (1930-32), Pat Moran (1919-23) and Bob Allen (1900).
If not the Reds, the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays are also currently in need of a new manager. Bell has plenty of chances to earn the big promotion this offseason.
