Bell leaves Royals for White Sox
If that happens, the Royals will see Bell down the interstate at Tucson, Ariz., where the Chicago White Sox train. Bell won't be at the Royals' camp in Surprise, Ariz.
Bell is leaving the Royals to become the White Sox's Minor League field coordinator. When Bell stepped down as Royals' manager, he agreed to stay as special advisor to general manager Dayton Moore.
That lasted about a week.
Bell had served the White Sox as director of Minor League instruction from 1991-93 and was held in high regard by club owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Moore issued a statement on Bell's departure from the Royals organization.
"I want to thank Buddy for all of his contributions to our organization and wish him nothing but the best on his career path with the Chicago White Sox," Moore said. "I'm disappointed that he's leaving the Royals, but he has apparently received an offer that is in his best interest and more in tune with what he prefers to do at this stage of his career. On behalf of the Royals, I truly appreciate his service to our organization."
Bell, 56, announced on Aug. 1 that he'd step down as Royals manager when the season ended. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family and work within a more flexible schedule. Surgery for throat cancer at the end of the 2006 season contributed to his decision.
The Royals' search for Bell's successor as manager is continuing quietly.
In fact, Moore was reported to be taking a break and his calls were referred to Dean Taylor, vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager.
"We've begun the process," Taylor said. "There's no specific time frame [for hiring a manager] at this point."
There had been hope expressed that the hiring would take place by the end of the World Series, which could run through Nov. 1, but that's no given either.
"This is an extremely important decision. We want to be sure, in the end, that we get the right person," Taylor said.
As Taylor reiterated, the hiring process is being kept "private" and, so far, there's been no cause to speculate about front-runners.
The usual suspects keep being mentioned, including every-job favorite Joe Girardi and other ex-managers such as Jim Fregosi, Jimy Williams, Ken Macha, Larry Bowa and Buck Showalter. There's an Atlanta connection for Moore with Fregosi, a top scout for that club, plus Braves coaches Terry Pendleton, Brian Snitker and Chino Cadahia.
It's also assumed that Royals in-house possibilities could include Bell's bench coach Billy Doran, former Wichita manager Frank White and Omaha manager Mike Jirschele.
But those names are little more than the product of guesswork.
Fans are entering their own names, including a couple of votes for good guy Mike Sweeney as player/manager.
Meantime, the status of Kansas City's coaching staff remains in limbo, pending the managerial hiring.
Bell stepped down this year after nearly three seasons as manager; his Royals record was 174-262 with three last-place finishes.
The new hire will be the 15th full-time manager in franchise history. The longest terms were by Dick Howser (769 games, 404 wins), Tony Muser (748 games, 317 wins) and Whitey Herzog (714 games, 410 wins).
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com.