Notes: Bell seeks road less traveled
09/30/2006
PHOENIX -- Bench coach Jay Bell would like to return to the Diamondbacks next year, but in a different role.
"My intentions are to come back in the same type of capacity that Walt Weiss is doing for the Colorado Rockies," Bell said Saturday. "He's an advisor/instructor/good guy to have around/mentor type of guy. During the season, he hangs out with the infielders, deals with them, talks with them about scenarios and different ways to play."
Weiss' official title is assistant to the general manager, and in addition to attending home games, he's around a month during the season visiting the organization's affiliates.
Bell, 40, played infield for 17 years in the big leagues before retiring after the 2003 season. He returned to uniform as bench coach under Bob Melvin in 2005. With three young children at home, he no longer wants to be on the road so often.
"It gives me more time to spend with [my wife] Laura and the kids," he said. "When I was growing up, I don't remember my dad missing any of my Little League games, and so for me, that's important."
Bell informed Melvin of his decision Friday and plans to speak with general manager Josh Byrnes about it soon.
While wanting to speak with Bell first before commenting, Byrnes said Saturday that he would be "very happy to have Jay remain in the organization."
Hitting coach Mike Aldrete said last week that he had decided to not return next year in order to spend more time with his family. The fates of the rest of the staff will be announced next week.
A special autograph: Luis Gonzalez has spent a lot of time over the past few days signing autographs for teammates and club employees, but one item gave him pause.
Gonzalez gently removed a bat from a white sanitary sock and looked it over with a wistful smile.
"This is the bat I won the Home Run Derby with," Gonzalez said, referring to his outdueling of Sammy Sosa prior to the 2001 All-Star Game.
Following the derby, Gonzalez presented the bat to D-Backs bullpen catcher Jeff Motuzas, who pitched to Gonzalez during the contest. Red marks, from the red All-Star Logo on the balls used, were still visible on the bat.
Thanks Miguel: While Melvin has asked Gonzalez and Craig Counsell to take out the lineup card for Sunday's finale, he paid tribute to veteran pitcher Miguel Batista on Saturday by having him do the same.
"Miguel Batista has been a big part of this organization, and he's going to get his due this weekend, too, if I have anything to say about it," Melvin said.
Paying respects: Speaking of Gonzalez and Counsell, the pair were spotted over at US Airways Arena on Friday afternoon, where they stopped by former managing general partner Jerry Colangelo's office to pay their respects.
Colangelo has said he will attend Sunday's game to honor both players, as well as outgoing team president Rich Dozer. Colangelo has not been to Chase Field since his departure in August 2004.
Grass clippings: The grass at Chase Field was noticeably greener Friday than it was when the team departed on its recent nine-game road trip.
Head groundskeeper Grant Trenbeath and his staff overseeded the field with Rye a few days before the team had left on the trip. When the sod is initially laid down in the spring, it's a combination of Kentucky Blue Grass and Rye.
"It's constantly a work in progress," said Trenbeath, who has to deal with the unique challenges that come with trying to keep the grass strong despite having the roof closed so often during the heat of the summer.
Up next: The D-Backs wrap up the 2006 season on Sunday, with National League Cy Young Award candidate Brandon Webb (16-7, 2.88 ERA) taking on Woody Williams (11-5, 3.57 ERA).
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
PHOENIX -- Bench coach Jay Bell would like to return to the Diamondbacks next year, but in a different role.
"My intentions are to come back in the same type of capacity that Walt Weiss is doing for the Colorado Rockies," Bell said Saturday. "He's an advisor/instructor/good guy to have around/mentor type of guy. During the season, he hangs out with the infielders, deals with them, talks with them about scenarios and different ways to play."
Weiss' official title is assistant to the general manager, and in addition to attending home games, he's around a month during the season visiting the organization's affiliates.
Bell, 40, played infield for 17 years in the big leagues before retiring after the 2003 season. He returned to uniform as bench coach under Bob Melvin in 2005. With three young children at home, he no longer wants to be on the road so often.
"It gives me more time to spend with [my wife] Laura and the kids," he said. "When I was growing up, I don't remember my dad missing any of my Little League games, and so for me, that's important."
Bell informed Melvin of his decision Friday and plans to speak with general manager Josh Byrnes about it soon.
While wanting to speak with Bell first before commenting, Byrnes said Saturday that he would be "very happy to have Jay remain in the organization."
Hitting coach Mike Aldrete said last week that he had decided to not return next year in order to spend more time with his family. The fates of the rest of the staff will be announced next week.
A special autograph: Luis Gonzalez has spent a lot of time over the past few days signing autographs for teammates and club employees, but one item gave him pause.
Gonzalez gently removed a bat from a white sanitary sock and looked it over with a wistful smile.
"This is the bat I won the Home Run Derby with," Gonzalez said, referring to his outdueling of Sammy Sosa prior to the 2001 All-Star Game.
Following the derby, Gonzalez presented the bat to D-Backs bullpen catcher Jeff Motuzas, who pitched to Gonzalez during the contest. Red marks, from the red All-Star Logo on the balls used, were still visible on the bat.
Thanks Miguel: While Melvin has asked Gonzalez and Craig Counsell to take out the lineup card for Sunday's finale, he paid tribute to veteran pitcher Miguel Batista on Saturday by having him do the same.
"Miguel Batista has been a big part of this organization, and he's going to get his due this weekend, too, if I have anything to say about it," Melvin said.
Paying respects: Speaking of Gonzalez and Counsell, the pair were spotted over at US Airways Arena on Friday afternoon, where they stopped by former managing general partner Jerry Colangelo's office to pay their respects.
Colangelo has said he will attend Sunday's game to honor both players, as well as outgoing team president Rich Dozer. Colangelo has not been to Chase Field since his departure in August 2004.
Grass clippings: The grass at Chase Field was noticeably greener Friday than it was when the team departed on its recent nine-game road trip.
Head groundskeeper Grant Trenbeath and his staff overseeded the field with Rye a few days before the team had left on the trip. When the sod is initially laid down in the spring, it's a combination of Kentucky Blue Grass and Rye.
"It's constantly a work in progress," said Trenbeath, who has to deal with the unique challenges that come with trying to keep the grass strong despite having the roof closed so often during the heat of the summer.
Up next: The D-Backs wrap up the 2006 season on Sunday, with National League Cy Young Award candidate Brandon Webb (16-7, 2.88 ERA) taking on Woody Williams (11-5, 3.57 ERA).
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
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