Albert Belle: The Original 50/50 Man

Author: Austen D.

  • 1997 Fleer Team Leaders

    1997 Fleer Team Leaders

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    Austen D.
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    Although he fell a bit short of repeating his 50-tater barrage of 1995, Albert Belle was his dominating self during the ’96 campaign. Last season, Belle became the first Indian ever to lead the league in HRs. The enigmatic outfielder placed fourth in AL “round-tripping” with 48 this year. But Cleveland’s clean-up Belle-ringer did manage…

  • 1998 Topps Etch-A-Sketch #ES1

    1998 Topps Etch-A-Sketch #ES1

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    Austen D.
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    A sixth straight 100-RBI season preserved Belle’s reputation as one of the most consistent run-producers of the era. He and Frank Thomas are, in fact, the only two players to reach that level each year since 1992. His prowess once prompted his former manager Mike Hargrove to observe, “He has his physical limits, but I…

  • 1992 Score Select

    1992 Score Select

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    Austen D.
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    Aggressive and a fiery competitor with plenty of muscle, Albert is the biggest source of power on the Indians. He has a quick stroke that smashes the ball far and wide when he is on a streak. “He has pop in his bat,” said former Indian manager John McNamara. “If you make a mistake he…

  • 1999 Topps Finest Milestones – Home Runs

    1999 Topps Finest Milestones – Home Runs

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    Austen D.
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    Milestone: 500 Home Runs Homers Through 1998: 321 Projected Year to Reach Milestone: 2003 After one of the greatest second halves in history in 1998 (.387–31–86), Belle moved to Baltimore and cozy Camden Yards. Prior to ’99, experts predicted 50, 60, even 70 home runs from the brawny slugger. Even if he clubs “just” 44…

  • 1999 Topps Gold Label – Race to Aaron #RA5

    1999 Topps Gold Label – Race to Aaron #RA5

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    Austen D.
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    Belle needs to average 44 homers to age 42 to reach Aaron’s record of 755. That’s not unattainable considering he’s now playing in slugger-friendly Camden Yards, and he’s normed just that many over the last four years.

  • 1997 Pinnacle Inside Forty Something

    1997 Pinnacle Inside Forty Something

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    Austen D.
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    Albert, who had led the majors with 50 homers in the year before the “Year of the Home Run,” hit 48 more in 1996 to complete one of the more incredible two-year power binges in recent memory. The Indians’ intense slugger hit homers at a pace of one every 11.7 at-bats over that span.