Tigers Hire Bell To Replace Anderson As Detroit Manager

Buddy Bell always wanted to play for Sparky Anderson. Instead, he succeeds him as manager of the Detroit Tigers.

Bell, a Cleveland Indians coach who has never managed, signed a two-year contract Thursday to help rebuild the team with the third-worst record in the American League.

The hiring completes the first major task of Randy Smith, who 10 days earlier replaced Joe Klein as general manager.

Bell, 44, and former Yankees manager Buck Showalter were said to be the top candidates for the managing job.

Five of six coaches for the Seattle Mariners the past season will be returning for 1996, but third-base coach Sam Perlozzo won’t be back.

He has been rumored as an addition to the Baltimore Orioles’ coaching staff.

Steve Smith, manager of the Mariners’ Triple A Tacoma team, will join the major-league staff next season.

The Mariners said Wednesday coaches who have accepted extensions on their contracts for the 1996 season include pitching coach Bobby Cuellar, hitting and bench coach Lee Elia, dugout coach John McLaren, first-base coach Sam Mejias and bullpen coach Matt Sinatro.

Brett Butler signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Dodgers.

Kirby Puckett will not invoke his option to become a free agent. Instead, the 34-year-old outfielder will return to the Twins for a 13th consecutive season.

The Houston Astros plan to announce today that they will remain in Houston for the 1996 season, baseball sources told the Washington Post.

Kevin McClatchy agreed in principle to a final sales agreement to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates after reaching a compromise on a deadline for raising additional equity.