MIAMI – On Oct. 1, 2020, less than two years ago, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell sat in the interview room and tried to focus on the positive.
The Reds had just been swept in the playoffs by the Atlanta Braves, but they had the core of the team under contract for the following season. At the time, Bell framed the sweep as a potential learning experience for young players like Luis Castillo, Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez and Nick Castellanos.
“We were able to have some success, taste some real success,” Bell said. “When we get to take a step back and reflect on a season, there’s no doubt that moving forward, knowing that feeling, knowing what it takes, the amount of effort, teamwork, care, tasting that success is going to go a long way moving forward.