Jay Bell was a professional baseball player who played for various teams during his career. He was born on December 11, 1965, in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Bell started his baseball career in high school and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 1984 Major League Baseball draft. He made his debut in the major leagues in 1986 and played for the Twins until 1989.
In 1990, Bell was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played for nine seasons. During his time with the Pirates, Bell established himself as one of the best shortstops in the league. He was a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove award in 1993. Bell was also a key player in the Pirates' success in the early 1990s, helping the team reach the National League Championship Series in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
In 1999, Bell signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a free agent. He played for the Diamondbacks for four seasons and was a key player in the team's World Series championship in 2001. Bell hit a crucial home run in Game 6 of the World Series, helping the Diamondbacks win the game and ultimately the championship.
After his time with the Diamondbacks, Bell played for the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles before retiring in 2003. Throughout his career, Bell was known for his strong defense and his ability to hit for power. He finished his career with a .265 batting average, 195 home runs, and 860 RBIs.
After retiring from playing, Bell became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also served as a bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2019, Bell was named the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team where he had played for nine seasons.
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