NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball umpire Wally Bell died of an apparent heart attack Monday, a week after working the NL playoff series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. He was 48. The commissioners office said Bell died in his home state of Ohio. Bell had not been feeling well over the weekend and had been scheduled to see doctors later Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. Bell had quintuple bypass surgery on Feb. 18, 1999, that left him with an 8-inch scar down the middle of his chest. His father survived two heart attacks before he died. "All of us at Major League Baseball are in mourning tonight regarding the sudden passing of Wally Bell," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "I always enjoyed seeing Wally, who was a terrific umpire and such an impressive young man. On behalf of our 30 clubs, I extend my deepest condolences to Wallys family, fellow umpires and his many friends throughout the game." Bell was the first active MLB umpire to die since John McSherry passed away of a heart attack on the field in Cincinnati on opening day in 1996. Bell worked the 2006 World Series and three All-Star games, including this years event at Citi Field, where he was stationed at first base. A veteran of 21 big league seasons, he had also worked four league championship series and seven division series since joining the major league staff in 1993. "It was a devastating loss for us. Wally was a true umpires umpire," said Gerry Davis, crew chief for the NL championship series. "I think if youll check with the players and teams they felt the same way because Wally always gave 110 per cent on the field." The umpires for Game 3 at Dodger Stadium heard about Bells death an hour before they took the field. "We had to regroup rather quickly and put our concentration where it needed to be," Davis said after Los Angeles beat St. Louis 3-0. "We kept telling each other that thats the way Wally would have wanted it, and we know that thats really true. One of the things that we shared in the locker room afterwards is that Im sure hes very proud right now," he said. Several players from around the majors expressed their condolences on Twitter. Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis wrote: "Wally kept game fun and loose and I always looked forward to catching with him behind plate. I will miss his personality and professionalism." Boston pitcher Jake Peavy: "Just heard the news & devastated about the passing of Wally Bell. A great umpire, a great man." Toronto slugger Jose Bautista: "He always had great spirits on the field, i will always remember how he teased me about my beard." Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Wally Bell. So sad to hear (and) will remember him tomorrow as I take the field." According to Bells biography on MLB.com, his proudest moment as a big league umpire was returning to the field after having open heart surgery. Two of his arteries had been 100 per cent blocked, two more had been 80 per cent blocked, another 70 per cent. Bell came back 11 weeks after his heart problem was detected for a game in San Diego. That night, plate umpire Mark Hirschbeck took the first ball out of play and kept it as a souvenir for Bell. "I am deeply saddened and shocked at the loss of umpire Wally Bell," said Joe Torre, MLB executive vice-president for baseball operations. "Umpiring was his life, and he touched so many people within the game of baseball. Aside from being an accomplished, All-Star-caliber umpire, Wally was a loving dad to his two teenage children. I extend my deepest condolences to them, his girlfriend Renee, the rest of his family and his admirers across Major League Baseball." During the 2013 regular season, Bell was a member of Tim McClellands crew. "Wally was a great umpire, a great partner and a great friend. The umpiring community is deeply saddened by this tragic loss. He will be sorely missed by many," said major league ump Joe West, President of the World Umpires Association. Bell is survived by his son, Jason, and daughter, Lindsey. Custom Baseball Jerseys China . Armstrong was given the rank of "Chevalier" -- or Knight -- in the "Legion dHonneur" in 2005, the last year of his seven consecutive Tour de France victories. Wholesale Custom Baseball Jerseys . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.co...es-nike-jerseys. The turf is scheduled to give way to actual grass that is bright green, so we dont have to complain any more—we just have to wait a few years. Instead, do feel free to complain if the roof is closed for any reason other than to allow a game to be played. Custom Authentic Baseball Jerseys . -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal. Stitched Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys . Its been a successful Games for Canada, which will finish near the top of the medal standings again. From repeat gold medal winners to multiple medal winners to undefeated teams to acts that define the Olympic spirit, there are many solid candidates who could be considered to receive the honour.Hes moved across the country, and to a ballpark that isnt as hitter-friendly, but Robinson Cano remains the best of the bunch at second base. Over the past five seasons, Cano has led second basemen with 142 home runs, 496 runs scored, 513 RBI and a .314 batting average. Gaudy numbers at a position that doesnt have a ton of competition, so it would normally land Cano in the first round and it still could, but there is an argument to be made that Cano isnt going to have the same power numbers in Seattle and there is a difference between a .300 hitter with 25 home runs and a .300 hitter with 18 home runs when it comes to assigning relative value. The closest rival to Cano is Bostons Dustin Pedroia, who has hit .297 over the past five seasons, averaging 88 runs, 71 RBI and 18 stolen bases in that time frame. With those two as the established leaders at the position, the rest are definitely a tier behind. Clevelands Jason Kipnis is closing the gap, with back-to-back 30-steal seasons and Cincinnatis Brandon Phillips wont duplicate his 100 RBI season and doesnt provide stolen bases as he did earlier in his career, but hes in the middle of a productive lineup and has registered more than 600 plate appearances in six straight seasons, so he can help many teams. Another longtime productive option at second base is Ian Kinsler, moving to Detroit from Texas. While Kinsler has dipped from his two 30-30 (HR-SB) seasons, hes in prime position to score a lot of runs and hes topped 100 runs in a season four times. Houstons Jose Altuve offers value in terms of batting average and back-to-back 30-steal seasons, but his overall numbers are limited somewhat by the weak Astros supporting cast. Tampa Bays ultra-versatile Ben Zobrist hold more value because he can play more than one position, and even coming off a bit of a down year, still had his fifth strraight campaign with double-figure homers and steals.dddddddddddd The thing about second base is that, unless youre going after Cano or Pedroia early, you can probably afford to wait and make a value play. Health was an issue for Arizonas Aaron Hill last season, as he was limited to 87 games, but hes been really productive since going to the National League, hitting .300 with an .862 OPS in 1060 at-bats with the Diamondbacks. Veteran standbys Chase Utley, always an injury concern, and Howie Kendrick are worth looking at for middle-infield spots and the Mets Daniel Murphy, a .290 career hitter, added value to his game last season when he stole 23 bases. San Diegos Jedd Gyorko mashed 23 home runs in 486 at-bats as a rookie. If he is healthy enough for 550-600 at-bats, is a 30-homer season within reach? Gyorko is only one of the younger guys that would have potential to help. Milwaukees Scooter Gennett hit .324 in 213 at-bats last season and .297 three-and-a-half minor league seasons. Texas Jurickson Profar is widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball and may be a year or two away from putting up big numbers (and is hurt in camp), but hes going to get a chance to play every day now that Kinsler is gone. Washingtons Anthony Rendon, the sixth overall pick in 2011, is another young player with a chance to break out. He had a .939 OPS in the minors and a .725 OPS in 351 at-bats as a rookie last year. Over a full season, 20-plus homers is possible. For a potential late-round bargain, consider the Dodgers Dee Gordon, the speedster who won the starting job over Cuban import Alex Guerrero and has swiped 66 bases in 182 career games. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '