Juan Bell, Dominican baseball player, Died at 48

Juan Bell Mathey was born on March 29, 1968, and died on August 24, 2016.

He was a Dominican baseball player.

Bell played in the major leagues, primarily as an infielder, from 1989 to 1995.

He was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1984 at the age of 16.

When he had completed four seasons in the Dodgers minor league system, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles along with relief pitchers Brian Holton and Ken Howell in exchange for Eddie Murray.

He saw his first major league action the following season, getting called up from the minors in September, 1989.

Between that season and 1990, he only played in 13 games, mostly as a pinch runner.

During 1991, Bell got his chance at regular playing time, splitting time at second base with Billy Ripken alongside Billy’s brother, Cal Ripken, Jr., the Orioles’ regular shortstop.

But, Bell hit just .172, and the next spring he was beaten out by Mark McLemore and sent back to the minors.

During the next two seasons, Bell would get additional trials from the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox.

Juan even set a career high in batting average (.278) in 1994 with the Expos, although it was in just 97 at bats.

Juan Bell spent most of those two seasons in the minor leagues, though, and continued to play in the minors until 1998, finishing up his career with the Syracuse SkyChiefs in the Toronto Blue Jays system.

He ended his career with a batting average of just .212 in 329 games.

HeĀ  died due to kidney disease in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Juan Bell passed away at 48 years old.