Buddy's (Bell) stepping down as Royals manager, stunned.....

I don't blame Buddy Bell to step down as Royals manager, effective at the end of the season. But it took me by surprise. Not at a time when the Royals posted winning months of June and July — the first time they've had a winning month since July 2003. The good thing is that he will stay with the organization as a senior advisor. There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to weigh our options and make big changes. Bell's passion is baseball, but family came first in his decision on Wednesday, one that was rightly made. He wasn't there when his kids grew up. He rarely sees his grandchildren. And perhaps the most important thing was his health (cancerous growth removed in his throat last Sept.).