Cliff Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cliff Bell |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Bell at the 1924 Colored World Series
|
|||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: July 2, 1896 Kildare, Texas |
|||
| Died: April 13, 1952 (aged 55) Los Angeles, California |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| 1921, for the Kansas City Monarchs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1931, for the Cleveland Cubs | |||
| Negro National League statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 39-44 | ||
| Run average | 4.83 | ||
| Strikeouts | 286 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Clifford W. Bell (born July 2, 1896 – died April 13, 1952) was an American pitcher who played in the Negro Leagues. He was known for his quiet personality and his special screwball pitch. Bell played for several teams during his career, including the Kansas City Monarchs, Memphis Red Sox, and Cleveland Cubs, from 1921 to 1931.
Contents
Who Was Cliff Bell?
Cliff Bell was a talented baseball player who made his mark as a pitcher in the Negro Leagues. These leagues were important because they allowed African-American players to play professional baseball during a time when they were not allowed in Major League Baseball. Bell played for 11 seasons, showing his skills on the mound.
Early Life and Baseball Start
Clifford W. Bell was born on July 2, 1896, in Kildare, Texas. Not much is known about his early life, but he grew up to become a professional baseball player. He started his career in 1921 with the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the most famous teams in the Negro Leagues. This was a big step for him, joining a league filled with amazing athletes.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
Bell spent most of his career with the Kansas City Monarchs, playing for them from 1921 to 1927. During his time with the Monarchs, he was part of a very strong team that won championships. He then played for the Memphis Red Sox in 1927, 1928, and again in 1930. His final season was in 1931 with the Cleveland Cubs.
Pitching Style and Skills
Cliff Bell was known for being a very quiet person. He didn't talk much to his teammates, but he let his pitching do the talking on the field. His best pitch was said to be the screwball. A screwball is a tricky pitch that moves in the opposite direction of a regular curveball, making it hard for batters to hit. Bell was often used as a middle reliever, meaning he would come into the game after the starting pitcher to help keep the other team from scoring.
His Baseball Stats
Over his career in the Negro National League, Cliff Bell had some interesting statistics.
- Win–loss record: He had a record of 39 wins and 44 losses. This shows how many games he won versus how many he lost as a pitcher.
- Run average: His run average was 4.83. This number tells you how many runs, on average, he allowed per nine innings pitched. A lower number is better.
- Strikeouts: Bell recorded 286 strikeouts. A strikeout happens when a pitcher throws three strikes to a batter, and the batter doesn't hit the ball.
Later Life
After his baseball career ended in 1931, Cliff Bell lived until April 13, 1952. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 55. His contributions to baseball in the Negro Leagues are remembered as an important part of sports history.
