He played for the Cleveland Indians (1986–1988), Pittsburgh Pirates (1989–1996), Kansas City Royals (1997), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2002) and New York Mets (2003).

A first-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1984, Bell made 129 errors over his first three minor-league seasons.

The following year he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in a deal that brought starter Bert Blyleven to the Twins.

[citation needed] His range may have been considered average but he had a great knowledge of the hitters and positioned himself well.

Bell did show early signs of his power potential hitting 21 home runs in 1997 and 20 in 1998.

Bell belted 36 of his 38 homers from his new position, a total exceeded only by Rogers Hornsby, Davey Johnson and Ryne Sandberg among second basemen.

One of those round-trippers was a sixth-inning grand slam off the Oakland Athletics pitcher Jimmy Haynes on the final game before the All-Star break, which won $1 million for an Arizona fan, Gylene Hoyle, who had correctly predicted the batter and the inning for a bases-loaded blast.