Albert Belle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albert Belle
Belle with the Chicago White Sox in 1997
Left fielder
Born: (1966-08-25) August 25, 1966 (age 58) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
July 15, 1989, for the Cleveland Indians
Last appearance
October 1, 2000, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Batting average	.295
Home runs	381
Runs batted in	1,239
Teams
Cleveland Indians (1989–1996) Chicago White Sox (1997–1998) Baltimore Orioles (1999–2000)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (1993–1997) 5× Silver Slugger Award (1993–1996, 1998) AL home run leader (1995) 3× AL RBI leader (1993, 1995, 1996) Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame
Medals Men's baseball Representing  United States World Junior Baseball Championship Silver 1984 Saskatoon Team

Albert Jojuan Belle (born August 25, 1966) is a former American Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder. He played from 1989 to 2000, mostly for the Cleveland Indians. Albert Belle was known as one of the best power hitters of his time.

In 1995, he made history by hitting 50 home runs and 50 doubles in one season. This was amazing because the season was shorter, with only 144 games. He was also the first baseball player to earn a contract worth $10 million per year. Belle was chosen for the All-Star team five times. He also won the Silver Slugger Award five times. He finished his career with a .295 batting average. From 1991 to 2000, he averaged 37 home runs and 120 runs batted in (RBI) each season. He is one of only 11 players in MLB history to have nine seasons in a row with 100 or more RBIs.

Early Life and School Days

Albert Belle and his twin brother, Terry, were born on August 25, 1966. They grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. Their father, Albert Belle Sr., was a high school baseball and football coach. Their mother, Carrie Belle, was a math teacher.

Albert was a very bright student and athlete. He became an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He went to Huntington High School in Shreveport. There, he was a star in both baseball and football. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. He was even vice president of the local Future Business Leaders of America club. Albert graduated sixth in his high school class. He was chosen for the all-state baseball team twice.

In 1984, Albert played for the USA team in the Junior Olympics. His team won a silver medal. He played as an outfielder and also pitched. After high school, Belle received a baseball scholarship to Louisiana State University.

College Baseball Career

Albert Belle played college baseball for Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1985 to 1987. He was a top player, making the 1st team All-SEC in both 1986 and 1987. During his time at LSU, he played in 184 games. He had 194 hits, 30 doubles, and 49 home runs. He also had 172 runs batted in and a .332 batting average.

In 1986, he played summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham A's. He was named a league all-star. He returned to the league in 1987 to play for the Hyannis Mets. After his college career, the Cleveland Indians chose him in the second round of the 1987 MLB draft.

Amazing MLB Career

Albert Belle made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on July 15, 1989. In his very first at-bat, he hit an RBI single off famous pitcher Nolan Ryan. This helped the Cleveland Indians win 7–1 against the Texas Rangers. A few days later, on July 19, Belle hit his first major league home run. He played in 62 games that first season.

Belle became one of only a few players to have eight seasons in a row with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. Other legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig also achieved this. He was also a good base runner. He stole 23 bases in 1993, which was his career high. Even with hip problems later in his career, he stole 17 bases in 1999.

He led the league in RBIs three times. He also led the league in total bases and extra-base hits three times. He was a five-time All-Star between 1993 and 1997. Belle had a strong throwing arm from his high school pitching days.

In 1994, Belle almost won the batting title. He finished with a .357 average, just behind New York Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill's .359.

Belle (right) attempting to steal second base during a 1994 game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium

The 1995 season was very special for Belle. He became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in the same season. This was even more impressive because the season was shortened to 143 games due to a player strike. That year, he led the American League in runs scored, home runs, RBIs, and total bases. He finished second in the voting for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.

On November 19, 1996, Belle signed a big contract with the Chicago White Sox. It was a five-year, $55 million deal. This made him the highest-paid player in baseball for a short time. He was also the first player to earn $10 million in a single season. He had two excellent seasons with the White Sox. In 1997, he had a 27-game hitting streak. In 1998, he hit 49 home runs, which is still a White Sox team record. He also set a White Sox record with 152 RBIs that year.

Belle's contract with the White Sox had a special rule. It allowed him to ask to remain one of the three highest-paid players in baseball. In October 1998, he used this rule. When the White Sox did not give him a raise, he became a free agent. He then signed a five-year, $65 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles on December 1, 1998. This made him the highest-paid player in baseball again.

However, his career ended just two seasons later. At age 34, he had to retire because of a hip problem called osteoarthritis. This condition made it too difficult for him to play. He hit a home run in his very last at-bat in the major leagues on October 1, 2000.

In his 12 seasons, Albert Belle played in 1,539 games. He had a .295 batting average with 1,726 hits. He also had 381 home runs and 1,239 RBIs. He was a powerful hitter and a memorable player.

Awards and Accomplishments

College (LSU):

• 1st team All-SEC (1986, 1987)
• South 1 Regional Tournament MVP (1986)
• 2nd team All-America (1986)
• 3rd team All-America (1987)

Major League Baseball (Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles):

• AL home run leader (1995)
• AL RBI leader (1993, 1995-tied with Edgar Martínez, 1996)
• AL doubles leader (1995-tied with Edgar Martínez)
• AL runs leader (1995-tied with Edgar Martínez)
• AL slugging percentage leader (1995, 1998)
• AL outfield assist leader (RF) (1999-tie)
• Named to Silver Slugger team (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998)
• All-Star (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
• First player to ever hit 50 HR and 50 doubles (1995)
• The Sporting News Player of the Year (1995)
• Baseball Digest Player of the Year (1995)
• Led major leagues in the 1990s with 1,099 RBI
• Led major leagues in extra-base hits in the 1990s with 711
• Fourth player ever to have eight straight seasons with 30 HR and 100 RBI
• Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (June 2005)
• AL leader in runs created (1998)
• AL leader in OPS+ (1998)
• AL leader in total bases (1994, 1995, 1998)

Images for kids

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  Belle (right) attempting to steal second base during a 1994 game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium

See also