Articles and features on Albert Belle from the official 1996 Cleveland Indians Game Face magazine.

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Albert On…

Indians All-Star Albert Belle shares his views on a variety of subjects. Here’s what he had to say:

His Favorite Book

I have two favorite bible verses. II Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by name, shall humble themselves,and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven,and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

If people would follow this simple message,there would be peace throughout the world. Joshua 24:15 – “…choose you this day whom ye will serve;…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Growing up,this verse ruled our home.As long as my brother and I were under our parent’s roof, we followed their rules.

His Parents

My parents are my pride and joy. They have always been there for me,and I know they love me unconditionally. “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.Teach a man to fish, feed him for life.”

My dad taught me baseball with the intent that it could one day be my livelihood. I’ll always be indebted to him for that.

“Reading makes a ready man.” “Knowledge is power.” My mom always stressed knowledge because she knew that education provided more opportunities in life. Together,they enforced the golden rule: Treat people like you would like to be treated.“

His Twin Brother

I could write a book about Terry. He’s a special person. No matter what happens, I know I can depend on him. He’s a hard worker and he loves people. Although he is climbing the corporate ladder, he always has time to make others happy.

Terry and I are both perfectionists. He is as intense about his job as I am about playing baseball Terry wants to be a general manager or even the commissioner of baseball someday. He would be great at either occupation because he can apply and grasp concepts, loves the game, and isn’t afraid to make decisions. (Terry and I took college algebra at Louisana State University. I was the teacher’s pet.

By the way, I’m better looking than Terry.

The Fans In Cleveland

We have the best fans in baseball! REALLY. We’re already sold out for the season. In the history of the game, no other fans have ever shown this level of support.

Cleveland has always been known as a blue collar city. I considermyself a blue collar player. The fans of Cleveland seem to appreciate my playing every day, and in turn, I appreciate their applause before every at-bat and after each home run.

His Idols

How often does someone get to meet-let alone play beside their boyhood idol?

Eddie Murray was my favorite player growing up. Consistency breeds greatness. Any good player can have a great season. However, a great player will have several good seasons with a few great seasons mixed in. Eddie is a great player. I wish him the best of luck in his quest for 500 home runs. I hope I can have a career that is as noteworthy as Eddie’s.

His Favorite Subject

Would you believe that my favorite subject in school was math? I always did well in math. During my senior year in high school, I took three math classes. I took advanced math, as did most top students. My advanced math teacher created a special calculus class for me and two other students. Also, (Terry and I took College ???

His Candy Bar

Dan and Bill Malley have given me the opportunity to have what very few professional athletes have: a candy bar with my name on the label. They’re good,too! Fellow teammates call me Willy Wonka jokingly, but then they ask me for a candy bar with a straight face. It’s a nice compliment to have something named after you.

Albert’s Favorites!

• Foods – Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, Spaghetti
• Desserts – Cheesecake, Chocolate Ice Cream
• Restaurants – Angie’s Kitchen, Cooker
• Television Show – Married with Children
• Actor – Danny Glover
• Golf Courses – The Legends, Hudson Country Club, Windmill Lakes

Little known Facts

I am an Eagle Scout and I also won a silver medal in baseball to USA.

Terry and I became Eagle Scouts during our sophomore year in high school. We were the subject of much good-natured ribbing by our football team.

I was also invited to represent the USA in the 19(86??) Junior Olympics. At first, I was nervous about competing, but after hitting a couple of home runs, I became more at ease. Not only did I play the outfield for my country, but I also pitched. I even won a game! My curveball was prety nasty. We eventually finished second to the Cuban team and won the silver medal.

Setting Goals

My parents constantly challenged me to “dream big dreams” when I was growing up. I’d like to share a story that could inspire youngsters.

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A boy was stuck in the house one rainy summer day with nothing to do. He’d already done some reading and finished all of his chores. He went to his mom and asked her what he could do. His mother replied,“Why don’t you make a list of 100 things that you’d like to accomplish some day, and then to do them all?”

Creating this list sounded like a good idea. He sat down to write. Some of his goals were easily met during the next few years:

1. To ride a bicycle
2. To catch a ten-pound bass
3. To learn how to swim
4. To ride a roller coaster
5. To make straight A’s at least once
6. To beat his brother at ping pong and Monopoly
7. To win a prize in the science fair

As time passed, others were a bit harder, but that didn’t discourage him:

32. To throw a touchdown
33. To appear on television
34. To score a basket in a basketball game
35. To stand six feet tall and weigh 200 pounds
36. To bench press 300 pounds
37. To meet pitching great Jim Palmer
38. To meet boyhood idol Eddie Murray
39. To graduate from high school

Last year, I checked off number 92, which was to hit a lot of home runs. I plan to check off #96-to be a World Series Champ-in October of ’96.

That bored little kid has sure come a long way. Kids,”dream big dreams.”

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ALBERT BELLE – Home Run #50

Albert slammed his 50th home run of the season off Kansas City pitcher, Melvin Bunch, in the 6th inning of the Indians game vs. the Royals on September 30th. Albert’s famous 50th was a solo shot that came on a 2-2 count. Belle’s homer tied the game at two apiece and allowed the Indians to stage another last at-bat victory on Carlos Baerga’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th.

With his historic blast, Albert became the 12th player in history (19th time)to hit 50 or more HR in a single season and the first player to accomplish the feat since Cecil Fielder hit 51 homers in 1991. In addition, Albert was only the 3rd player to hit 50 or more HR in a single season since divisional play began (George Foster hit 52 in 1977 with the Cincinnati Reds).

Albert’s 50th homer of the season was also his 17th homer in the month of September, tying Babe Ruth’s Major League record for most homers in September. The Babe hit 17 September homers in 1927. The 17 home runs was also a Cleveland Indians record for most HR in a single month.

In 1995, Albert became the first Indians player to lead the Major Leagues in home runs for a single season. Albert was the first Tribe batter to lead the league in homers since Rocky Colavito tied Harmon Killebrew for the AL lead in 1959. Albert is the first Indians batter to win the home run title outright since 1954 when Larry Doby led the American League with 32.

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Team Store Ad

All-Star slugger Albert Belle spent 2 1/2 years in the Tribe farm system before he put on an Indians uniform. But you just have to spend a few minutes at the Indians Team Shops. Because here, you can get official Tribe jerseys, and caps just like the players wear. You can also get t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, baseballs, pennants, flags, videos, children’s items and novelties too. So stock up for the new season while the selection is good. Visit the Indians Team Shop at Jacobs Field, the Galleria at Erieview or Belden Village Mall in Canton. To order by phone, call 216-420-GIFT or 1-800-38-TRIBE. And we’ll have you looking like a real pro.

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Team Roster Section

Albert Belle
Outfielder

Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210
Born: 8/25/66
Resides: Euclid,OH

• Three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner (1993-’95)…
• Finished 3rd in ’94 MVP voting and 2nd in ’95…
• Led ML in RBI in ’93 with 129…
• His 194 career HRs are 5th in Indians history and 33 shy of the all-time team lead.
• Hit 31 HR over the last 2 months of ’95, an ML record…
• First Indians player to lead Majors in HRs and 12th in ML history to hit 50 HR in a season…
• Led or tied for league lead in RBI, 2B, Runs, and Slugging Pct.

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Back Cover Ad

Features Albert Belle with person (assuming owner, etc.) from McDonald & Company Investments, noted as the ‘Official Investment Firm to the Cleveland Indians.’

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Other Original Document Scans

“Albert On…”