By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

When the Philadelphia Phillies showed up at Great American Ball Park to face the Reds on Friday, it was no surprise that they were tied for first place in the National League East.

Standings usually don't mean much at this early juncture in the season, but in this case, maybe they do. After all, David Bell plays third base for the Phillies.

Bell, a Moeller High School graduate and son of former Red Buddy Bell, has played on three straight postseason teams, including last season's San Francisco Giants, who lost in the World Series to Anaheim.

But Bell is more than a good-luck charm.

"He plays very unselfishly," said Phillies manager Larry Bowa. "The bottom line with him is, how can I beat the other team, what can I do to beat the other team even if I don't get any hits? He knows how to play."

Bell, 30, signed a four-year, $17-million contract after becoming a free agent following a season in which he hit .261 with 20 home runs and 73 RBI last season with the Giants. He decided to leave a team with a realistic chance of returning to the World Series for a team that was making some bold moves to get there.

The Phillies also signed first baseman Jim Thome and trading for pitcher Kevin Millwood.

Unlike most players, Bell conducted the bulk of his negotiations himself, calling agent Tom Reich at the last minute to take care of the details.

If he learned anything during the negotiations, it's that he won't be embarking on a career as an agent when his playing days are over.

"It wasn't very much fun at all," Bell said. "I wouldn't be disappointed if I never had to do it again. It's not the part of the game that I enjoy.

"The business side of it doesn't come natural for me. It worked out well and it's something that I'm glad I went through, but I'd rather be out there playing."

Entering Friday night's game, Bell was hitting .318 and had a hit in each of his first six games. But he has missed three of the Phillies' last four games because of lower back spasms.

Having grown up watching games at Cinergy Field, he was excited over the prospect of seeing Great American Ball Park for the first time.

"I've been looking forward to it for a long time," Bell said. "I think it's going to be great. I've been trying to hold off going out there so I can be surprised."

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com