The backs of Albert Belle’s Baseball cards tell a story of Intimidation, Fear, and Power — One of the most dominating hitters of the 90s, regularly compared to the game’s all-time greats. And still The Baseball hall of fame ignores him.
Check out the cards and the story they tell.
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1999 Topps Finest Milestones – RBI (#M24 /1400)
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After breaking the 1,000 barrier in September, Belle finished 1998 with 152 RBI. Since 1993, he has averaged 129 ribbies per season while leading the American League three times. Still just 32 years old, Albert could eventually crack the all-time top-10 list; Carl Yastrzemski ranks 10th at 1,844.
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1999 Topps Finest Milestones – Doubles (#M32 /500)
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In 1995, Belle became the first player in history to slug 50 homers and 50 doubles in the same season. He nearly did it again last year, with 49 and 48, respectively. Now with 321 big flys and 316 two-baggers, he could reach 500 of each by 2003 (age 36/37). Only five men have turned…
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1996 Upper Deck Showcase Run Producers (#RP1)
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Over the past two seasons, Belle has hit .334 with 320 hits, 86 home runs, 227 RBI and 211 runs scored. Each one of those marks leads the American League during that span. In 1995, he became the 12th player ever to sock 50 or more roundtrippers in a single season.
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1998 Pinnacle Artist’s Proof All-Star (#AP2)
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A feared slugger, Albert has led the American League in RBIs three times, total bases twice, and runs, doubles, home runs, and slugging once each. The only man to produce 50 doubles and 50 homers in the same season, Albert has also hit three home runs in a game twice. In 1997, his first season…
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2012 Topps Five Star Autographs
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3 AL RBI titles in 4 years, 1993–96. Cleveland’s 1st 50-HR hitter (1995). .714 SLG in ’94 – 10th-best ever by RH. 11 straight hits for extra sacks (’95). 4 of his 5 Silver Sluggers with Indians.
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2000 Topps Chrome Refractor #405
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Baseball’s RBI champion of the 90s (1,099), Albert is one of only 14 players to knock home a hundred for three different teams. He averages 132 RBI per 162 games in his career.
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1997 Fleer Team Leaders
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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…
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1992 Score Select
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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…
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1999 Topps Finest Milestones – Home Runs
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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…
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1999 Topps Gold Label – Race to Aaron #RA5
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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.
Albert Belle: The Original 50/50 Man 