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Jay Bell lives to manage baseball. And one day manage in the major leagues.

He got one step closer to achieving his dream Thursday when the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced him as the club’s new manager. Bell replaces Bobby Mitchell, whose contract wasn’t renewed earlier this winter.

While the RailRiders will sport a different manager for the third straight season, Bell will have some familiar faces on his staff this spring. Tommy Phelps (pitching coach), Phil Plantier (hitting coach) and Doug Davis (bullpen coach) are all returning for another year.

“The reason I went back to player development was because I wanted to manage, and that’s one of the things I’m passionate about,” Bell told the Times Leader Thursday afternoon. “I love the fact that I am able to sit in that seat and able to manage a group of players and staff to prove myself as worthy to be in that position. I certainly have the desire, the goal, to manage at the major league level. But nonetheless, if that never happens, I am content doing what I’m doing. I love doing what I’m doing.

“The managing stuff is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a young player.”

Early on in his career with the Cleveland Indians, Bell, 53, wasn’t sure if he had the ability to carve out a role on a major league roster, despite being a first-round draft pick.

It was then that the idea of being a manager one day popped into his head.

And even as Bell’s baseball career took an upswing and lasted 18 years between five clubs — and included a World Series ring, two all-star nods, a gold glove and a silver slugger award — one thing remained: his yearning to one day manage in the major leagues.

That’s why after stops on the field staffs for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds and a stint in Arizona’s minor league system, Bell took the managerial job with the High-A Tampa Tarpons in 2017. A year later, he was managing the Double-A Trenton Thunder.

After leading both the Tarpons and Thunder to the playoffs, Bell gets his shot at managing the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate to the postseason for a fifth straight year, while also preparing his players for when they’re needed in New York.

“I absolutely am passionate about it. I love the job,” Bell said. “It is a phenomenal opportunity to sit in that seat and share with my players the stuff that I’ve learned over the years and help them prepare every single day to get the best out of their abilities. While at the same time, once the game starts, my objective every single day is to be their biggest cheerleader. That is what I’m consumed with throughout the course of the day.”

That passion has been quickly picked up on by different players that Bell managed within the Yankees organization.

Former RailRiders starting pitcher Erik Swanson, who played for Bell last season when he was with the Thunder and in 2017 with Tampa, replied to a tweet about Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s new hire, “You mean the *goat emoji*,” referring to Bell.

Former RailRiders starting pitcher Josh Rogers, who played for Bell in 2017 in High-A, to this day calls Bell his favorite manager he’s played for in pro ball. Bell’s ability to connect with players and keep the clubhouse light despite slumps, as well as his knowledge of the game were things Rogers noticed almost immediately.

“He does a really, really good job of managing the club. And I know the Yankees love him, and they should,” the now Baltimore Orioles pitcher said. “He’s been around the game a long, long time. He knows how to relate to young guys like us. It’s a privilege to have played for him and I’m excited for him for that opportunity as well.

“He’s the best. He is the best.”

Phelps is entering his fourth season as the RailRiders pitching coach. He led the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitching staff to International League top-5 finishes in ERA (3.71), earned runs (490), strikeouts (1,179) and WHIP (1.29). RailRiders pitchers also led the IL in hits allowed (1,056). Every other team allowed more than 1,100 hits.

This will be Plantier’s second season as the team’s hitting coach. The RailRiders had top-five finishes in batting average (.256), home runs (132) and on-base percentage (.322), and tied for the league lead with 36 triples.

Davis, who is a Bloomsburg native, is returning for his third season with the Yankees organization.

“All of them I’ve known for a long, long time,” Bell said. “Tommy and I go back about 20 years, Phil and I go back longer than that and Doug and I have known each other a long time, too. These guys I’m very familiar with. We’re very like-minded on and off the field. I’m really excited about spending time with them.”

Despite making the postseason with Tampa in 2017 and Trenton in 2018, Bell still faces some pressure when he arrives in Moosic.

While making sure his players are ready to be called up at a moment’s notice, Bell also has a four-year International League playoffs streak to keep alive.

But Bell’s not worried. It’s a welcome challenge.

“Winning is important,” Bell said. “Winning is important for player development. Player development is not just about getting guys ready individually, but it’s about getting guys ready collectively. It is important to win. It is important to create that culture at the minor league level as well.

“I want as much success as we’ve had in Scranton the last four years — I want to continue that success.”

Both Darren London and Brad Hyde are returning are also returning this season. London is back for his 27th year as athletic trainer, while Hyde returns as strength coach for his ninth season.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced Jay Bell, right, as its new manager. Bell was the skipper for Double-A Trenton last season and High-A Tampa in 2017.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_Jay-Bell136217Tim-Tebow136217-6.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced Jay Bell, right, as its new manager. Bell was the skipper for Double-A Trenton last season and High-A Tampa in 2017. Trenton Thunder
Thunder manager promoted to SWB

By DJ Eberle

[email protected]

BELL WITH THE YANKEES

Year`Team`LVL`W`L`Playoffs

2017`Tampa`High-A`80`50`Yes

2018`Trenton`AA`79`61`Yes

Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle