LaMonte Wade Jr. had played just one game at Oracle Park before the Reds came to town Monday, but he was still the perfect player to accompany Gabe Kapler to the plate for an exchange of lineup cards with Cincinnati manager David Bell.
Wade Jr. played the 2020 season for the Twins, who had Mike Bell, David's brother, as their bench coach. Mike passed away at the age of 46 in February, and before the first game of a three-game series between the Giants and Reds, Kapler and Wade Jr. passed along their condolences to David.
"It was incredible, an unbelievable gesture by LaMonte and Gabe and the Giants," said David, who played one season in San Francisco and worked in the front office prior to getting the Reds job. "All I can say is what it meant to me and my family, just another sign and example of people Mike touched. I was blown away."
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Mike Bell joined the Twins for the 2020 season after 13 years with the Diamondbacks. The Twins announced in February that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in the offseason and had surgery before spring training, which he was forced to miss.
Wade Jr. only joined the Giants big league roster on Sunday, but he played 16 games for the Twins last season. He spoke briefly to David during the lineup card exchange and then gave him a hug.
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Kapler said the idea to have Wade Jr. out there came about during a discussion with some of his coaches.
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"We thought it was a good idea given the fact that LaMonte knew David's brother, Mike," Kapler said after a 3-0 loss. "We thought he could share some thoughts with David, and he did. I think David was appreciative, and we both expressed our condolences."