Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo selected Reds manager David Bell as the “honorary manager” to join him at the All-Star Game in Texas.
Bell and Lovullo know each other originally from their time together in Cleveland. In 1995, they were teammates in Buffalo, Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate. In 1998, they were teammates again in Cleveland.
In Lovullo’s first appearance with Cleveland in ’98, Bell entered the game as his defensive replacement in the late innings.
Lovullo then spent eight years as a manager in Cleveland’s farm system, including four years at Triple-A.
Angel Martinez made his MLB debut today against the Blue Jays, making him and his father Sandy Martinez the seventh father/son duo in franchise history. Sandy played one game in 2004 starting at catcher for the injured Victor Martinez.
Of this group, only Quantrill helped the team to the playoffs, although it was the modified version in 2020 and Quantrill was moved to the bullpen for the playoffs.
The last time Cleveland acquired a starting pitcher at the deadline and made the postseason in a full season was 1997, when they trade for John Smiley (from Cincinnati) and Jeff Juden (from Montreal). Smiley suffered a career-ending injury and didn’t pitch in the postseason, while Juden was moved to the pen.
Hill
The last midseason trade acquisition to actually start a playoff game for Cleveland was Ken Hill in 1995. Hill was acquired at the deadline from the Cardinals for David Bell and two other minor leaguers.
Hill pitched 13.2 consecutive scoreless to open the ’95 postseason, including seven shutout innings in a critical Game 4 of the ’95 ALCS while Cleveland training 2-1 in the series. He allowed his first run in the 6th inning of Game 4 of the ’95 World Series on a home run to Ryan Klesko, and ultimately took the loss in the game. He finished the ’95 postseason with a 2-1 record and a 1.84 ERA.
