Albert Belle
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Albert Jojuan Belle (Joey) Also played as Joey Belle
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[edit] Introduction
Outfielder Albert Belle was one of the leading sluggers of his time and was the first player to hit 50 doubles and 50 home runs in a season. However, his career was repeatedly marred by his particularly surly conduct both on and off the field. He was noted for rudeness to reporters (NBC Sports personality Hannah Storm during the 1995 World Series in particular) and fans, occasionally becoming violent.
[edit] Early career
Belle played collegiately at LSU and upon finishing was drafted by the Cleveland Indians. While in the minor league system (and at the start of his major league career) he was known as "Joey", and was thought of as a top prospect, but a high-risk one due to his conduct. Belle underwent counseling, and became known as "Albert". Briefly his behavior improved, but after a time the anger returned in conflicts with reporters and fans.
[edit] Career
He was caught in 1994 with a corked bat. Interestingly, the team that caught him, the Chicago White Sox, eventually signed him to play for them.
1994 was his best year, with astonishing numbers -.357/ .438/ .714.
On November 19, 1996, he signed with the Chicago White Sox. The contract, which made him the best paid player in the game and granted him free agency if he didn't remain in the top 3 in salary, played an important role in the final resolution of the 1994 strike. White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was the unofficial head of the "hawks" in player relations. On November 6, he led a vote to reject the new CBA negotiated by the owners' own labor relations committee on the grounds that it did too little to control players' salaries. When the Sox signed Belle to a contract that was derided as an example of gross excess less than two weeks later, Reinsdorf was blasted as a hypocrite. The hawks' position was undermined, and the owners voted to accept the negotiated terms on November 27.
He and Frank Thomas were supposed to be a tremendous duo in the third and fourth spots in the lineup. However, when Frank had a great year in 1997, Albert had a bit of an off year, and when Albert had a great year in 1998, Frank had a bit of an off year. Belle's 49 home runs in 1998 is the one-season record for the White Sox.
He ended his career with the Baltimore Orioles, retiring at age 34 as a result of degenerative osteoarthritis in his hip.
In 2006, Belle was sentenced to three months in jail for stalking an ex-girlfriend. [1]
[edit] Career analysis
By the Black Ink, Gray Ink, and Hall of Fame Monitor methods of appraising whether a player is qualified for the Hall of Fame, Belle is certainly well qualified. It is only by the Hall of Fame Standards method that he falls short.
According to the similarity scores method, the most similar players are mostly active ones, but a couple of retired ones seem quite similar - Juan Gonzalez and Dick Allen.
The general consensus around baseball is that one thing keeping Belle out of Cooperstown in his personality. One can imagine that were Belle a warm, friendly type, his numbers, especially considering he had to retire at age 33, would measure up to the likes of Ralph Kiner, another slugger with an abbreviated career.
In 2007 Belle got 3.5% of the BBWAA vote, and was dropped from the ballot.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 5-time AL All-Star (1993-1997)
- 5-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1993-1996 & 1998)
- 2-time Slugging Percentage Leader (1995 & 1998)
- AL OPS Leader (1998)
- AL Runs Scored Leader (1995)
- 3-time AL Total Bases Leader (1994, 1995 & 1998)
- AL Doubles Leader (1995)
- AL Home Runs Leader (1995)
- 3-time RBI Leader (1993, 1995 & 1996)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 10 (1991-2000)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 8 (1992-1999)
- 40-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1995, 1996 & 1998)
- 50-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1995)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 9 (1992-2000)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (1995, 1996, 1998 & 1999)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1998)
[edit] Record Held
- Extra base hits, right handed batter, season, 103, 1995 (tied)
