According to multiple reports, 20-year MLB veteran umpire Wally Bell has passed away. He was 48 years old.
Bell, who had open heart surgery in 1999, apparently died of a heart attack at a hospital in Youngstown, Ohio. Bell last worked the Cardinals-Pirates NLDS series last week, with his final assignment being third base for the Cardinals' 6-1 win in Game 5 in St Louis. Bell last worked behind the plate for Pittsburgh's 7-1 win in Game 2 of the series.
During his career, Bell worked the 1997 and 2000 All-Star Games, seven Division Series, four League Championship Series, and the 2006 World Series. He also worked the Championship Round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic in San Francisco, and was behind the plate for the Dominican Republic's 4-1 win over the Netherlands in the semifinals.
Our thoughts are with Bell's family and friends during this trying time.
