As one of the American League’s most dominant power sources of the 1990s, Albert Belle struck fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers—and sometimes members of the media. He was a no-nonsense player who let his bat do the talking. Over 12 seasons, he produced 381 home runs and 1,239 RBI, the kind of numbers that would make most players likely choices for the Hall of Fame. Despite receiving only 7.7 percent of the vote (40 votes) in his first year of eligibility, Belle has got plenty of other things on his mind.
Like running a Scottsdale, Ariz., real estate business with his brother Terry as he waits on the opportunity to reach his current goal of owning a professional basketball or baseball team. Since his retirement from the game at 34 in 2000 due to a degenerative hip condition, Belle has had his mind on his own business—literally.
Street & Smith’s copy editor Jonathan Woog recently caught up with Belle, who gave his first interview since his retirement, and here are excerpts from that conversation:
Street & Smith’s: Compared to players who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, you appear to have Hall-of-Fame type numbers. How do you feel about your chances of eventually getting in?
Albert Belle: “I feel good about it. It’s an exciting accomplishment. In the wake of what is going on in MLB, if you take a look at my numbers, my numbers are true and not tainted [steroid] numbers. I played 10 full seasons, where other players have played 10-15 seasons. They [Baseball Writers’ Association of America] can argue either way, though. I’ve been able to accomplish things that other players haven’t accomplished and I haven’t accomplished things that other players in the Hall have accomplished.”
S&S: You returned to Arizona State to receive your degree in accounting. What led to the decision to return to school?
Belle: “I finished college in the summer of 2003. I took four classes at Arizona State and had it [the credits] transferred to Louisiana State. I received my degree in accounting. Back then [1987] I left school early, in my junior year. I had promised my parents, who are both teachers that I would return to school and receive my degree. I’m not trying to pursue my master’s or my CPA, but I would [really] like to get an ownership in baseball. I have been invited a couple times to work with teams during spring training, but I have declined because what I really want is ownership. I want to build my own team.”
S&S: What else have you been doing with yourself since retiring from baseball?
Belle: “I’ve been involved in real estate. Scottsdale, Ariz., is the hottest real estate market in the country right now. With the wheeling and dealing of real estate I want to make enough capital to purchase my own pro basketball or baseball team.”
S&S: Are you involved in baseball in any way?
Belle: “No, I’ve been invited to do some coaching and work with teams in spring training, but I have declined those offers. I have tutored some local kids in the area and have worked with some little league teams. It’s funny to look at baseball from a different perspective, [like that] of a 12-year-old. It was fun to go to the games [little league] and watch them play.”
S&S: What was it like playing with the Indians in the early 1990s, with Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar Jr., Omar Vizquel, Carlos Baerga and Manny Ramirez? Was that the best team you played on?
Belle: “We had a great run in the 90s. It was a pretty great team to play with. The ’94 season would have been great, but it was the strike-shortened season. The ’95 season was great making it to the World Series, but we fell short [against the Atlanta Braves four games to two]. It was a great atmosphere [the Cleveland clubhouse]. It was a good feeling to come to work and know that you will win a lot of games with a mix of veteran and young players.”
S&S: In 1995 you led the league in home runs (50), RBI (126), runs (121), total bases (377), doubles (52), slugging percentage (.690) and extra-base hits (103) to win the Major League Player of the Year, but you were not awarded the American League MVP. Why do think you were overlooked?
Belle: “It’s the matter of opinion of others [media] for whatever reason that Mo Vaughn had a better season. I think there was a vendetta against me. But it worked out better for me because after it I signed some good contracts with some good teams in some good cities [Chicago White Sox (1997-98) and Baltimore Orioles (1999-2000)]. I would have liked to play a few more years [Belle had to retire due to a degenerative hip condition]. But life goes on. I think that my season in ’96 and ’98 were better then my ’95 season. I like that I came close to winning the triple crown in ’98. I came as close as you can to winning the triple crown in ’98 [second in home runs (49) and RBI (152), and third in batting average (.328) in the league], but it was never talked about because it was the year of [Sammy] Sosa and [Mark] McGwire. I think I should have had a couple of MVPs. But I signed some good contracts, took care of my family and have the financial stability for the rest of my life.”
S&S: What’s the secret to being a great power hitter over an extended period of time?
Belle: “To be a great hitter you have to have great players around you. I had Lofton, Vizquel in front of me and Thome and Murray behind me. When people are scoring runs it’s a great compliment for one another. I had a great supporting cast.”
S&S: How about your defense?
Belle: “I worked hard on my defense to win an outfield job to get into the major leagues. I led the league in assists [17] one year [1999 with Baltimore] and never won a Gold Glove. I never got the reputation as a great out fielder. I played left field and right field and made the transition. I just didn’t get the credit.”
Editor’s Note: To read more about Albert Belle—and catch up with additional MLB stars of the 1990s, including Vince Coleman, Will Clark and Mark Lemke—see Street & Smith’s Baseball 2006 Yearbook, which hits newsstands Feb. 7. To pre-order a copy, please call 800-380-7404 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday).
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