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, most notably for the Cleveland Indians. Albert Belle was known for his powerful hitting and focused personality.

He was one of the top sluggers of his time. In 1995, he made history by hitting 50 doubles and 50 home runs in a single season. This was especially impressive because that season was shorter, with only 144 games. He was also the first player in MLB to sign a contract worth over $10 million per year.

Belle was chosen for the All-Star team five times. He also won the Silver Slugger Award five times. He ended his career with a .295 batting average. From 1991 to 2000, he averaged 37 home runs and 120 runs batted in (RBIs) each season. He is one of only ten players in MLB history to have nine seasons in a row with 100 or more RBIs.

Early Life and Education

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 a talented athlete. He became an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He attended 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 and a leader in the Future Business Leaders of America.

He graduated sixth in his high school class. He was also selected for the all-state baseball team twice. In 1984, he played for the U.S. team in the Junior Olympics. The U.S. team won a silver medal. Albert 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 the Louisiana State University from 1985 to 1987. He was a top player, earning 1st team All-SEC honors in 1986 and 1987. During his college career, he played in 184 games. He had 194 hits, 30 doubles, 49 home runs, and 172 RBIs. He also scored 157 runs and had 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 junior year, Albert Belle was chosen by the Cleveland Indians. He was drafted in the second round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft.

Major League Baseball Highlights

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. Just a few days later, on July 19, Belle hit his first major league home run. In his first season, he played in 62 games, hitting .225 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs.

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

He led the league in RBIs three times. He also led in total bases three times and extra-base hits three times. He was a five-time All-Star from 1993 to 1997. Belle also had a very strong throwing arm, which was a skill he developed as a pitcher in high school.

In 1992, Belle almost hit a home run over the left-field roof of Detroit's Tiger Stadium. The ball hit a light tower on the roof and fell back into the stands.

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

In 1994, Belle had a very close race for the batting title. He finished with a .357 average, just behind New York Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill's .359. In 1995, Belle made history. He became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in the same season. This was an amazing achievement, especially since the season was shorter due to a player strike.

Belle was known for his intense focus and competitive nature. In 1996, he signed a five-year, $55 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. 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 May 1997, he had a career-high 27-game hitting streak. In 1998, he almost had another 50/50 season, hitting 49 home runs and 48 doubles. His 49 home runs are still a White Sox team record. He also set a White Sox single-season 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 degenerative osteoarthritis. He hit a home run in his final at-bat in the major leagues on October 1, 2000.

Over 12 seasons and 1,539 games, Belle had a .295 batting average. He recorded 1,726 hits, 974 runs, 389 doubles, 381 home runs, and 1,239 RBIs. He also had 88 stolen bases. In 18 postseason games, he hit .230 with six home runs and 14 RBIs.

Awards and Accomplishments

Albert Belle achieved many honors during his baseball career.

College Achievements (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 Achievements

• AL home run leader (1995)
• AL RBI leader (1993, 1995, 1996)
• AL doubles leader (1995)
• AL runs leader (1995)
• AL slugging percentage leader (1995, 1998)
• AL outfield assist leader (RF) (1999)
• 5-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998)
• 5-time 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 RBIs in the 1990s (1,099)
• Led major leagues in extra-base hits in the 1990s (711)
• Fourth player ever to have eight straight seasons with 30 HR and 100 RBIs
• 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