Marlins reliever Heath Bell: “It’s hard to respect” manager Ozzie Guillen
Marlins reliever says it is hard to respect a person like manager Ozzie Guillen. Bell lost his closer role earlier in the year. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Amid speculation that first-year Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is on his way out, relief pitcher Heath Bell took the opportunity to speak his mind about his manager on various topics.
Bell has converted on 19 of 26 save opportunities and was replaced as the closer earlier this season.
“I stunk in April, plain and simple. I said I stunk, I worked hard, I busted my butt. I think I’ve had a tremendous second half,” Bell tells “The Dan Sileo Show” on 560 WQAM in Miami. ”I’m not closing–I know that. But I just kept my mouth shut because I want to regain what I had, and I feel like I can’t do that.”
Bell’s ERA has hovered around 3.00 since being replaced but still has not gotten his job back. For the season, Bell is 3-5 with a 5.19 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.
“It’s hard to respect a guy that doesn’t tell you the truth or doesn’t tell you face-to-face,” Bell said. “There’s probably reasons why. It’s just one of those things that–what you see is what you get. I’m not going to be two-faced. I’m not going to sneak around your back and say this and that.”
@SInow Heath Bell is lucky to have a job. Horrible year and no matter what, you can't blame Ozzie. Look in the mirror.
“It’s hard to respect” Health Bell cause he sucks and he's a whiner and why did we sign this goober?" --- Ozzie Guillen.
@SInow Ozzie is a pc of s*** manager. He ruined the Marlins!
@SInow I dont think that Heath Bell should be making any comments about ANYONE..for about 10 years #HowMany MillionPerBlownSave?
Best of luck to whoever has to manage this whiner next year.
Being a Twins, I use to detest the White Sox and loved it when they lost. Now the Ozzie is gone, I find I don't care. All along, it was Ozzie and his big mouth that I detested.
So basically, if I'm reading this right, Mr. Bell, who got a huge contract to be the closer for the Marlins, has, much like everyone else on that team, underperformed at his job, and, even though he's still not performing to the role he was hired for, he somehow feels it's owed to him?
This Marlins team is likely doomed for the foreseeable future. They're like the Cubs would be if no one ever watched them.
@Sam3 I think you interpreted it correctly. What a classy guy Heath Bell is, huh, hah hah?!
@Sam3
Sad is that he is still underperforming. Busting his butt for a 3 ERA? When he should be busting his butt for a near 2. Its not like he is pitching 3-4 innings either. The guy still sucks and he has the right to complain about Guillen's decisions. Marlins are doomed forever until Loria is gone.
@jaybrownexciter @Sam3 Part of the Marlins sucking has to be karma coming back to kick Loria in his narrow a$$et$.