Buddy Bell accepts Colorado job

Describing himself a player's manager who will emphasize defense and team chemistry, Buddy Bell was hired Wednesday as the Colorado Rockies' new manager.

Bell, 48, who managed the Detroit Tigers from 1996-98, becomes the third manager in the

Rockies' seven-year history, succeeding Jim Leyland, who retired after this season.

Bell, who worked for the Cincinnati Reds for the past year, most recently as director of player development, signed a three-year contract believed to be worth about $2.25 million.

Dan O'Dowd, hired as general manager a month ago, called Bell "the perfect fit for this ballclub. He knows the game. He knows how it should be played, and he will demand that from each and every one of our players. He understands the importance of creating an atmosphere where every player has the potential to play to the best of his ability."

Bell, 48, manager of the Detroit Tigers from 1996-98, met with O'Dowd on Monday and Tuesday. He has been considered the favorite to succeed Jim Leyland, who retired at the end of the season.

Bell played 18 seasons with four major league teams and compiled a 184-277 record as Detroit's manager before being fired in September 1998, with three years left on his annual $550,000 contract.

Bell previously was bench coach for the Cleveland Indians from 1994-95. He spent this year as the minor league director for the Cincinnati Reds, one of his former teams.

One negotiating key was Bell's willingness to move from his home in Cincinnati.

The Rockies want to avoid a repeat of this summer when Leyland lived in the Colorado clubhouse while his family stayed in Pittsburgh.

Bell said Monday he is fond of Cincinnati but "you have to move on sometime."

He will receive a base salary of about $550,000 next season, but a radio and television package will raise that to around $750,000, the Post reported.

Before meeting formally with Bell, O'Dowd held interviews with several other candidates, including Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach Carlos Tosca, Cincinnati coach Ken Griffey and Florida Marlins minor league manager Lynn Jones.

O'Dowd also spoke with New York Yankees coach Willie Randolph by phone. Randolph did not travel to Denver because the Yankees are playing in the American League playoffs.

The Rockies began searching for a manager after Leyland retired with two years left on a three-year, $6 million deal.

Leyland, who led Colorado to a disappointing 72-90 record, could remain with the team in a lesser role.

Atlanta Braves hitting coach Don Baylor managed the Rockies from their inception in 1993 until he was fired after the 1998 season.

10-21-99