Heath Bell

Bell did not begin his professional career until 1998, when he signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent.[1] He made his major league debut on August 24, 2004 pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts against the San Diego Padres.[1] The righty spent the next two seasons shuttling between the Mets and their Triple-A affiliate Norfolk. Bell said coaches in the Mets' minor leagues told him his best opportunity to succeed was to leave the organization as other people did not believe in him.[3]

Bell congratulated after a save in 2009.

On November 15, 2006, Bell was traded to San Diego, along with pitcher Royce Ring, for outfielder Ben Johnson and relief pitcher Jon Adkins.[5] He was part of the Padres bullpen, where he replaced Scott Linebrink as the 8th inning setup man before Trevor Hoffman closed games.[6] In 2009, Hoffman signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and Bell was promoted to closer. Bell sprints from the bullpen[7] and into a save situation accompanied by the song "Blow Me Away" by Breaking Benjamin.[8] Bell's save situations are referred to by fans as "Bell's Hell", a play on Hoffman's famous "Hells Bells".[9]

In 2009, Bell was named MLB Delivery Man of the Month in April after converting all eight of his save opportunities in ​8 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings of work while striking out nine batters.[10] He was named to the National League (NL) All-Star Team on July 5. He, along with teammate Adrián González, represented the Padres at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14. Bell came on in the 8th inning and gave up a triple to Curtis Granderson followed by a sacrifice fly to Adam Jones to make the score 4–3 in the American League's favor; Bell was the losing pitcher in the game. Bell ended the 2009 season leading the National League in saves with 42 in his first year as a full-time closer. He won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award[11]

In 2010, Bell was named to his second consecutive NL All-Star team in July. Starting May 29, he converted 34 consecutive saves to end the season, the longest streak by a Padres since Hoffman. Bell collected saves on a season-high four consecutive days from August 10–13. For the year, Bell had a career-high 47 saves, which ranked second in MLB and was second in team history behind Hoffman's 53 in 1998. Bell's .940 save percentage (47 of 50) led all of MLB. He did not allow any of his nine inherited runners to score, and he had six saves of more than one inning pitched. Bell won the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award, The Sporting News NL Reliever of the Year Award, and the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award.[12][13][14]

Bell catching ceremonial first pitch in 2011

Bell was the highest paid Padres player in 2011 at $7.5 million salary and would be eligible for free agency at the end of the season.[15] He converted his first seven save opportunities of 2011, which tied him with Hoffman for the Padres club record of 41 consecutive successful save conversions. The streak also tied him with Hoffman and Rod Beck for the then-fourth longest in MLB history.[16] Bell blew his next save opportunity, a 3–0 lead, after he opened the ninth inning walking the first two batters, and third baseman Chase Headley made a two-out, two-run throwing error to tie the game.[17] On May 14, Bell recorded his 100th career save in a 9–7 win over the Colorado Rockies.[18] Bell was selected to his third consecutive All-Star game. Entering the game in the eight inning, Bell sprinted from the bullpen and did a slide in front of the pitcher's mound, taking out a chunk of the infield grass and leaving grass stains on his pants. "I wanted the fans to have fun with this", said Bell.[7][19][20] With the team 12 games under .500 coming out of the All-Star break, general manager Jed Hoyer said the Padres would pursue a long-term contract with Bell if they did not get a desirable trade offer for him.[21][22] Ultimately Bell was not traded at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, but Hoyer admitted Bell's greatest value to the team might come as a free agent if Bell refuses salary arbitration and signs elsewhere—the Padres would receive two first-round draft picks in June 2012 as compensation.[23][24] Bell said he planned to accept arbitration from the Padres if they did not agree on a multi-year deal.[25] He finished the season 43 of 48 in save opportunities with a 2.44 ERA, but he struck out less than 30 percent of all opponents’ at-bats for the first time as a Padre.[26][27]

Bell wanted a three-year contract from the Padres, who instead offered two years with an option for 2014. Talks stalled after Hoyer left the Padres and was replaced by Josh Byrnes as general manager. The Padres offered arbitration, but Bell backed away from his earlier intention to accept arbitration. The Miami Marlins, the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were also interested in signing him. Bell had a 27–19 record with a 2.53 earned run average and 134 saves in 354 appearances with the Padres over five seasons.[27] His 132 saves in the last three seasons led the majors.[28]

Bell pitching for the Miami Marlins in 2012

On December 5, 2011, Bell signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Miami Marlins.[29][30] He was temporarily demoted from the closer role in May after beginning the 2012 season blowing four of his first seven save opportunities with an 0–3 record and an 11.42 ERA in 11 games.[28][31] Bell said he had been battling an undisclosed personal issue, and he felt "completely lost" in Miami being apart from his family.[31]

On May 11, 2012, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillén placed Bell back to the closer role,[32] and his ERA dropped below 10.00 later that month.[33][34] He was again demoted after the All-Star break, when he was 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA and six blown saves in 25 opportunities,[35] and Steve Cishek assumed the closer role.[36] Late in the season, a rift between Bell and Guillen developed with each proclaiming waning respect for one another. Bell acknowledged his teammates likely lost respect for him after the incident.[37] Bell had an 0.69 ERA over his last 13 appearances before blowing a 3–0 lead in the eighth inning in his last game of the year. He ended the season 4–5 with a 5.09 ERA and 19-for-27 in save chances.[38][39]

On October 20, 2012, the Marlins traded Bell to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team trade in which the Marlins acquired minor leaguer Yordy Cabrera. Arizona already had incumbent closer J. J. Putz. The Marlins agreed to pay $8 million of the remaining $21 million still owed Bell over the subsequent two years.[40] He began the season as a middle reliever behind Putz and setup man David Hernandez.[41] On May 8, Bell was promoted to closer after Putz was placed on the disabled list with a strained right elbow.[42][43]

On December 3, 2013, Bell was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team deal also involving the Cincinnati Reds.[44] He was designated for assignment on May 4, 2014, before being released on May 11. Bell had a 7.27 ERA in 13 appearances with the Rays.[45][46]

On May 16, 2014, Bell agreed to a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles.[47] He appeared in just 10 games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides before he opted out of his deal on June 8. A few days later, on June 13, he signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees.[48] On June 24, the Yankees released Bell just 11 days after signing him. He had a 7.50 ERA in six innings (over five games) for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[49]

On December 22, 2014, Bell signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to major league spring training,[50] however he was released on March 23.[51] He announced his retirement from baseball the following day.[52]