George Bell
From BR Bullpen
Note: This page links to George Bell, the 1987 American League MVP. For George Bell who played from 1907 to 1911, click here.
George Antonio Bell Mathey (Liberty)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
- Debut April 9, 1981
- Final Game October 2, 1993
- Born October 21, 1959 in San Pedro de Macoris, D.R.
Contents |
[edit] Biographical Information
George Bell was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 Rule V Draft. He was part of the Toronto Killer B's outfield of the mid-1980s, along with Jesse Barfield and Lloyd Moseby. After hitting three homers off Bret Saberhagen on Opening Day 1988, he was on pace to hit 486 home runs for the season. After a stint with the Chicago Cubs, Bell was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa.
He is the brother of Juan Bell and of minor leaguer Rolando Bell.
George was the 1987 MVP and was also 4th in the MVP voting in 1986 and 1989. Bell's 47 homers in 1987 were a Blue Jays record until Jose Bautista broke it in 2010.
Bell's ability deteriorated rather quickly. In both 1991 and 1992, he had hit 25 home runs. At the start of the 1993 season (an expansion season when hitting increased notably in the league), he was batting clean-up for a White Sox team that was to go on to win the division with 94 victories. Frank Thomas, who batted third that season, won the MVP Award. Bell, in 410 at-bats, hit .217 with 13 home runs. He did not appear in post-season play, and was released in October. The White Sox replaced his bat with that of Julio Franco in 1994, and went on to lead the division again. Bell was done at the age of 34.
Similarity scores show that similar players include Ben Oglivie, Raul Mondesi and Eric Karros.
George was a roving minor league hitting coach for the Blue Jays in the 2000s.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time All-Star (1987, 1990 & 1991)
- AL MVP (1987)
- 3-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1985-1987)
- AL Total Bases Leader (1987)
- AL RBI Leader (1987)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 8 (1984-1988 & 1990-1992)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1986 & 1987)
- 40-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1987)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1986, 1987, 1989 & 1992)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1986 & 1987)
| AL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1987 | 1988 |
| Roger Clemens | George Bell | Jose Canseco |
[edit] Quotes
- "George simply hates to lose. Sometimes you wonder what he's doing and sometimes he may try too hard, but he plays to win. And he plays-bad knees, bad shoulder, whatever."-John McLaren
