Albert Belle
Born: 8/25/1966 in Shreveport, LA, USA
MLB Debut: 1989-07-15 | Final Game: 2000-10-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Albert Jojuan Belle
Biography
Albert Belle, born in 1966, was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball from 1989 until his retirement in 2000. Known for his powerful hitting and fierce competitive spirit, Belle played a total of 1,539 games during his career. He amassed 1,726 hits and launched 381 home runs, driving in an impressive 1,239 RBIs. His career batting average stood at .295, complemented by 88 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to be a multifaceted offensive threat. Belle was selected as an All-Star on five occasions, reflecting his standing among the elite hitters of his era.
Belle's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, marked by a surge in offensive production and the increasing prominence of power hitters. His aggressive playing style and relentless pursuit of excellence made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent. Belle's contributions to the game extended beyond mere statistics; he was a player who left a lasting impact on the teams he played for, including the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox. His legacy is remembered not only for his statistical achievements but also for his intensity and passion for the game, solidifying his place in baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1539 | 5853 | 974 | 1726 | 389 | 21 | 381 | 1239 | 88 | 683 | 961 | 0.295 | 0.369 | 0.564 | 0.933 | 29329.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | CLE | AL | 62 | 218 | 22 | 49 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 2 | 12 | 55 | 0.225 | -260.8 |
| 1990 | CLE | AL | 9 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0.174 | 0.0 |
| 1991 | CLE | AL | 123 | 461 | 60 | 130 | 31 | 2 | 28 | 95 | 3 | 25 | 99 | 0.282 | 1665.1 |
| 1992 | CLE | AL | 153 | 585 | 81 | 152 | 23 | 1 | 34 | 112 | 8 | 52 | 128 | 0.260 | 1446.6 |
| 1993 | CLE | AL | 159 | 594 | 93 | 172 | 36 | 3 | 38 | 129 | 23 | 76 | 96 | 0.290 | 3068.0 |
| 1994 | CLE | AL | 106 | 412 | 90 | 147 | 35 | 2 | 36 | 101 | 9 | 58 | 71 | 0.357 | 4238.2 |
| 1995 | CLE | AL | 143 | 546 | 121 | 173 | 52 | 1 | 50 | 126 | 5 | 73 | 80 | 0.317 | 4984.2 |
| 1996 | CLE | AL | 158 | 602 | 124 | 187 | 38 | 3 | 48 | 148 | 11 | 99 | 87 | 0.311 | 4658.2 |
| 1997 | CHW | AL | 161 | 634 | 90 | 174 | 45 | 1 | 30 | 116 | 4 | 53 | 105 | 0.274 | 1010.4 |
| 1998 | CHW | AL | 163 | 609 | 113 | 200 | 48 | 2 | 49 | 152 | 6 | 81 | 84 | 0.328 | 5030.7 |
| 1999 | BAL | AL | 161 | 610 | 108 | 181 | 36 | 1 | 37 | 117 | 17 | 101 | 82 | 0.297 | 3063.0 |
| 2000 | BAL | AL | 141 | 559 | 71 | 157 | 37 | 1 | 23 | 103 | 0 | 52 | 68 | 0.281 | 425.8 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 61 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 0.230 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | ALDS1 | CLE | 4 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0.200 |
| 1995 | ALDS1 | CLE | 3 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0.273 |
| 1995 | ALCS | CLE | 5 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0.222 |
| 1995 | WS | CLE | 6 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 0.235 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 1311 | 1306 | 2642 | 91 | 66 | 18 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | CLE | OF | 44 | 42 | 92 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1990 | CLE | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | CLE | OF | 89 | 88 | 170 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| 1992 | CLE | OF | 52 | 52 | 94 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1993 | CLE | OF | 150 | 149 | 338 | 16 | 5 | 7 |
| 1994 | CLE | OF | 104 | 104 | 205 | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| 1995 | CLE | OF | 142 | 142 | 304 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| 1996 | CLE | OF | 152 | 152 | 309 | 11 | 10 | 0 |
| 1997 | CHA | OF | 154 | 154 | 351 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| 1998 | CHA | OF | 159 | 159 | 316 | 11 | 8 | 3 |
| 1999 | BAL | OF | 154 | 154 | 252 | 17 | 4 | 2 |
| 2000 | BAL | OF | 110 | 110 | 211 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 1017 |
| Right Field | 297 |
| Designated Hitter | 223 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Player of the Month | June |
| 1999 | Player of the Month | September |
| 1999 | Player of the Week | Week of 1999-09-25 |
| 1998 | Player of the Month | July |
| 1998 | Player of the Month | September |
| 1998 | Player of the Week | Week of 1998-07-18 |
| 1998 | Player of the Week | Week of 1998-07-11 |
| 1998 | Silver Slugger | OF |
| 1998 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1996 | Silver Slugger | OF |
| 1996 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1995 | MLB Players Choice Outstanding Player | |
| 1995 | Player of the Month | August |
| 1995 | Player of the Month | September |
| 1995 | Player of the Week | Week of 1995-04-29 |
| 1995 | Silver Slugger | OF |
| 1995 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1995 | TSN Major League Player of the Year | |
| 1994 | Player of the Month | June |
| 1994 | Player of the Week | Week of 1994-06-18 |
| 1994 | Silver Slugger | OF |
| 1994 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1993 | Silver Slugger | OF |
| 1993 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1992 | Player of the Week | Week of 1992-05-30 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | BAL | AL | $13,000,000 |
| 2002 | BAL | AL | $12,368,790 |
| 2001 | BAL | AL | $12,049,040 |
| 2000 | BAL | AL | $12,868,670 |
| 1999 | BAL | AL | $11,949,794 |
| 1998 | CHA | AL | $10,000,000 |
| 1997 | CHA | AL | $10,000,000 |
| 1996 | CLE | AL | $5,700,000 |
| 1995 | CLE | AL | $4,500,000 |
| 1994 | CLE | AL | $2,775,000 |
| 1993 | CLE | AL | $1,675,000 |
| 1992 | CLE | AL | $175,000 |
| 1991 | CLE | AL | $130,000 |
| 1990 | CLE | AL | $117,000 |
| 1989 | CLE | AL | $68,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $97,376,294 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge | LA | 1985, 1986, 1987 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 8th | 98.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1996 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 3rd | 228.0 | 392 | 2 |
| 1995 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 2nd | 300.0 | 392 | 11 |
| 1994 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 3rd | 225.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1993 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 7th | 81.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1992 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 1.0 | 392 | 0 |