Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Cincinnati Reds are close to hiring Pirates hitting coach Jay Bell as bench coach. Sources: #Reds to hire #Pirates hitting coach Jay Bell as bench coach. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 12, 2013 In Bell's one season as Pirates hitting coach, the Bucco offense posted a .245 BA (11th NL)/.396 SLG (9th NL)/.709 OPS (8th NL) while hitting 161 home runs (T-3rd NL) and recording 603 RBI's (9th NL). The team struck out 1330 times which was third in the ... Read More
A familiar face hopes to return a winning culture back to Pittsburgh
When Pirates hitting coach Gregg Ritchie opted to coach his alma mater George Washington University following the 2012 season, the search for a new hitting coach was on. Clint Hurdle, Neal Huntington and company decided on a familiar face to the Pittsburgh faithful. Jay Bell was manning the middle infield when Pittsburgh last had a winning team. With his hire as hitting coach, Bell is looking to do his part in returning a winning culture back to Pittsburgh. “One of the things that really ... Read More
Pirates announce coaching changes
Coming off of the collapse part two, the Pirates front office made some changes. Before we go to far, no they aren't Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington or Clint Hurdle, but they did make some changes at hitting coach, first base coach and Major League coach. The Pirates have brought on former player Jay Bell to take over as hitting coach as Gregg Ritchie left to take a coaching position at his alma mater. Bell, who played eight of his 18 seasons with the Pirates, has a career batting average of ... Read More