Underrated Stars Volume 2: Albert Belle

    One of the most dominant hitters of the 1990s, a feared power hitter but did not get nearly the recognition that players like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, and Barry Bonds. 3 teams benefitted from the services of Belle, the Indians, White Sox, and Orioles over a 12 year career. For Albert, it all got started when he was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1987 MLB Amateur Draft by the Indians out of Louisiana State University. The college experience led to a quick rise through the minor leagues and he made his debut on July 15, 1989.

Belle got off to a bit of a rough start playing in 62 games in 1989 batting only .225 with 7 home runs and 37 RBIs. 1990 did not fare much better as off the field issues got in the way causing Belle to only play in 9 games in the majors. Belle spent 2 months in a Cleveland Clinic for alcohol rehabilitation an early derailment to what was thought to be a very promising career. 1991 was the beginning of something special and a breakout was in the making, Belle batted .282 with 28 home runs and 95 RBIs. It was the last time in his career that he failed to drive in 100 runs in a season. That’s right 9 straight seasons driving in 100 or more runs and he got on a roll in 1992. 34 home runs, 112 RBIs and a .260 average along with 23 doubles, Belle’s star was quickly rising on an Indians team that was improving year by year. The team went from 57 wins in 1991 to 76 in 1992. 76 wins was the mark yet again in 1993 but Belle’s numbers kept rising. A .290 batting average with 38 home runs and a league leading 129 RBIs got him 7th place in the AL MVP voting.

1994 saw a major turnaround for a historically losing franchise, a team that had not won the World Series since 1948 (spoiler; they still haven’t to this day). Albert Belle was well on his way to mashing 50 home runs when the league on August 11th went on strike due to the labor unrest, thus canceling the remainder of the season. Belle was hitting an eye popping .357 with 36 HR and 101 RBIs before the work stoppage and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. The good feelings and momentum didn’t get lost in the work stoppage as the boys returned in 1995 with something to prove. Belle this time would not be denied his quest for 50 home runs as he hit exactly 50, also knocked 52 doubles, drove in 126 runs and scored 121. Belle became the first player in Major League history to have a 50 HR, 50 double season. He also batted a solid .317. In my opinion he was absolutely robbed of the MVP. Red Sox 1st baseman Mo Vaughn was given the award when Belle’s numbers were way better. Belle had more hits (173-165), a higher batting average (.317-.300), more home runs (50-39), double the amount of doubles (52-26), even in RBIs (126). 

This really began the perception of Belle being disliked by the writers and this wasn’t the only issue. We can’t completely dismiss Belle in this case though as some of it was part of his own doing and he dug his own grave. The 1996 season was another amazing season for Belle as he posted a career high 148 RBIs, knocked out 48 home runs, and bashed 38 doubles. For the 3rd straight year, Belle finished top 3 in the MVP vote, finishing 3rd like he did in 1994. After the 1996 season Belle’s contract with the Indians expired and he became a free agent. On November 19th, 1996 the White Sox and Belle agreed on a 5 year/$55 million contract that included an unusual clause. This clause allowed him to demand he remain the highest paid player in the game. 

In 1997,  Belle hit 30 home runs and drove in 116 runs and was named to the AL All Star team for the 5th consecutive career. He continued to put up eye popping numbers even as he switched teams in the AL Central. In 1998, Belle nearly reached the 50/50 mark again when he belted 49 home runs and whacked 48 doubles, while driving in a career high 152 runs. Of course, his 1998 season was barely noticed as the focus was on the home run race between Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Ken Griffey Jr (Griffey tapered off towards the end). McGwire set a then record with 70 home runs and Sosa hit 66 both passing the record set by Roger Maris (61), in 1961. After the 1998 season, Belle demanded a raise and invoked the clause in his contract. The White Sox refused to budge thus granting Belle his release and a return to free agency. 

At 32 years old, Belle was in line for another big contract and got just that from the Baltimore Orioles on December 1st, 1998. A 5 year/$65 million contract that would run through the 2003 season. In 1999, Belle did not disappoint batting .297 with 37 home runs and 117 RBIs, and 36 doubles. Belle continued to be an extra base hit machine as he was on his 3rd team in 4 years. In 2000, Belle’s power was declining as was his health. Only 23 home runs but  a solid 103 RBIs as he still continued to drive in runs at a pace only Hall of Famers can perform at. He still was able to smack 37 doubles to help his cause. 

Unfortunately, 2000 ended up being the final season in Belle’s career as he was forced into retirement when he was diagnosed with degenerative hip osteoarthritis. He was kept on the 40 man roster and was paid for the final 3 years of the deal but his career was cut short at 34 years and we could have gotten so much more out of him had this condition not force him to retire. Altogether Belle had a lifetime .295 batting average with 381 home runs and 1239 RBIs. He averaged over 100 RBIs PER SEASON! Belle’s poor relationship with the Indians and the media ultimately became the deciding factor into why Belle was never inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. He fell off the ballot in 2007, his 2nd year eligible when he only got 3.5% of the votes, failing to meet the required 5% that is needed to be on the ballot the next year. Unless the Veterans Committee decides to forgive his actions with the media it looks like Belle will never get into the Hall of Fame even though he’s well deserving and even in the Indians Hall of Fame. Belle was a special player who got lost in the fold as others dominated the game.

Credit: photo from google, taken by the News Herald