Twins bench coach Mike Bell dies of cancer at 46

KSTP Sports

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A member of the Minnesota Twins coaching staff has died after a battle with cancer.

The team announced bench coach Mike Bell’s death on Friday. He was 46.

Bell took a leave of absence in February following a kidney cancer diagnosis, according to several reports.

The Twins released the following statement:

"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 organization prior to the 2020 season. Before coming to Minnesota, Bell spent 13 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks in several roles, including vice president of player development. During his playing career, Bell was drafted in the first round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers and played parts of 13 seasons with seven organizations.

This is a 2020 file photo showing Mike Bell of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Bell has died of kidney cancer. He was 46. He was the younger brother of Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell.[Brynn Anderson/Associated Press]

Bell was part of a three-generation baseball family that is widely respected in the game. His grandfather, Gus, played 15 seasons in the majors; his father, Buddy, spent 27 years in MLB, including nine as a manager; his brother, Ricky, was a third-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1997 MLB Draft; and his brother, David, played 12 years in the majors and is now in his third year as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.