CHICAGO -- It was difficult for Buddy Bell to contain his excitement after helping to bring on Chris Getz as the White Sox director of player development on Oct. 24, 2016.
A little more than one year later, it's equally difficult for Getz to put into words the personal guidance provided by Bell, who is departing the White Sox to join the Reds as vice president and senior advisor to general manager and president of baseball operations Dick Williams.
"I've learned so much. I probably don't even know how much I learned," Getz said of Bell. "Just how he kind of operated.
"Player development certainly presents its challenges. He really helped and kind of maneuvering, working through these things and helping these players along. Hopefully I've acquired some of those skills and kind of continue to make those impressions he certainly had an ability to do."
Bell, 66, spent 14 years with the White Sox and served the last five as vice president/assistant general manager. He spoke during a Monday conference call about asking White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf permission to talk to other teams about 10 days ago, and explained how Reinsdorf gave him until Oct. 31 to follow that path.
Once the Reds expressed interest and the graduate of Moeller High School in Cincinnati had a chance to go home, he didn't need to talk to anybody else. That desire to talk to other teams came in part from Getz's excellence in his role.
"This guy is phenomenal," said Bell of Getz. "He's very smart, he's got a great feel for players and staff, and I just felt like this is a good time for me to kind of maybe possibly go someplace else.
"First of all, I have obviously mixed emotions about leaving the White Sox. I'll always have a little bit of that in me. I always have since I first joined the White Sox in 1991. This is kind of weird for me leaving them, but I felt like this is a great time to do that."
The White Sox announced no plans exist to replace Bell at this time. Reinsdorf also issued a statement through the team about Bell's departure and his valued contributions.
"Buddy Bell has influenced the careers of literally thousands of professional baseball players through his passion for coaching and player development," Reinsdorf said. "He has left a long-lasting mark on the White Sox organization, our Minor League staff and players throughout our system.
"There is absolutely no way to thank him enough for all he has done and his years of devotion to this organization and to making our Minor Leaguers better as players and as people. We personally wish him nothing but success and fulfillment as he returns home to the city of Cincinnati and a Reds organization that very appropriately carries a great deal of meaning and pride for the entire Bell family."
Getz stands as one of those individuals influenced by Bell, both as a White Sox player and a fellow member of the front office.
"He's going to have a positive impact on you. It's just the person that he is," Getz said. "Getting to know him when I was a player here, I was always impressed and then having the ability to work with him here in the past year has been invaluable. From a professional standpoint, personal standpoint, he's just a great person."