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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Albert Belle's Career is Over
Froy King Shit *board owner*	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 9:44 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Feb. 01	FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Albert Belle's career ended Thursday when the Baltimore Orioles said the outfielder was ``totally disabled and unable to perform as a major league baseball player.'' Belle was examined by two team doctors Wednesday and found to have a severe case of degenerative arthritis of the right hip. ``Belle has agreed that he is physically incapable of performing as a player and concurs with the findings of the doctors,'' the Orioles said in a statement. Belle will be placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday -- the first step to protect the Orioles' insurance coverage of his contract, which guarantees the slugger $39 million in the next three years. About 70 percent of that total will be reimbursed to the team by the insurance company. ``We have been anticipating this for some time,'' said Syd Thrift, the Orioles' vice president of baseball operations. Belle never said much to the media, and when the end came, he was nowhere to be found. Thrift said he had no idea where Belle was, and public relations director Bill Stetka had no success in trying to track down the reclusive star. ``He's somewhere in the area,'' Thrift guessed. Belle's locker was untouched Thursday afternoon. His No. 88 jersey hung alongside eight pairs of pants. On the top shelf sat a glove with a baseball nestled inside it. On the floor, a pair of cleats and shower shoes, ready for wear. For the Orioles, it was difficult to watch Belle struggle through a spring training in which the ailing superstar found it difficult to do the most mundane of tasks, such as run to first base or chase down a liner to the corner in right field. ``It's a very sad event for a young man 34 years of age not to be able to play baseball again,'' Thrift said. When he played the game, Belle did it with vigor and sass. He hit 381 homers and drove in 1,239 runs over 12 seasons. He's still the only player to have 50 homers and 50 doubles in one season, a feat he accomplished in 1995. The announcement came early Thursday evening, but hours earlier the Orioles spoke of Belle in the past tense. ``With Albert being gone, it makes getting at-bats for people a lot easier,'' said manager Mike Hargrove, who had his share of run-ins with Belle when both were with the Cleveland Indians. ``We don't have that one true No. 4 hitter now that Albert's out of the picture. But I don't feel that bad about David Segui coming to the plate with a couple of men on base.'' Segui will bat cleanup and Chris Richard will play right field in most games this season. Jeff Conine will likely get the majority of at-bats as the right-handed designated hitter. Former Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen, obtained by Baltimore as a free agent during the offseason, expected to have Belle providing offensive support for him, following years of battling against him. ``I'm really disappointed that he's not going to play this year,'' the right-hander said. ``As an opposing player, the guy always gave everything he had. He was a fierce competitor, the kind of person you love on your side.'' Hentgen hasn't given up hope that Belle might somehow make it back in 2002. ``I was looking forward to playing with him, and still am,'' the pitcher said. ``The guy has played through all sorts of injuries. He just might get better.'' Given the shape of Belle's hip, that would seem unlikely. ~Matt/Froy from Jersey The Hell Hole Official Protector of Gay Marco & SwampJunk...if he ever decides to post. Also providing total immunity to Fayth
white shorts	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 9:49 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01	i saw an interesting piece on espn last night posing the question if belle should be in the hall of fame. they compared his numbers to kirby puckett's and belle came out on top in hr's, rbi's, and on-base percentage. the guy said that puckett definately had the character that belle lacked, but then said that the hall of fame wasn't a personality hall of fame. he then said that in his opinion, belle should eventually be a hall of famer. i don't know if i agree with this, but i thought it was interesting.
Sniper	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 9:49 PM
Psychopath Registered: Aug. 00	He`s an asshole but one hell of a hitter. It`s always a shame when someone that`s fun to watch is lost due to injury. Them`s the breaks!!! PICKING OFF ASS F`s 1 BY 1!!!
Sniper	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 9:49 PM
Psychopath Registered: Aug. 00	He`s an asshole but one hell of a hitter. It`s always a shame when someone that`s fun to watch is lost due to injury. Them`s the breaks!!! PICKING OFF ASS F`s 1 BY 1!!!
Tequila Fez claims this land in the name of Portugal! Why worry about the train if it never makes it around the tracks?? IrishAlkey wuz here!!!	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 9:59 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Jan. 01	Joey Belle is such a tool I could care less if played or not E-Mail Me 1 Tequila, 2 Tequila, 3 Tequila floor E-Mail Me AOL - oanda1027fm 1ST GRAD OF ADOPT A NEWBIE PROGRAM
Froy King Shit *board owner*	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:07 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Feb. 01	He'd be a guaranteed HOF'er if he played longer, but now I'm not so sure. He's had an amazing career, but a short one in baseball standards. ~Matt/Froy from Jersey The Hell Hole Official Protector of Gay Marco & SwampJunk...if he ever decides to post. Also providing total immunity to Fayth
Francine Banger	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:09 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00	I dont think hes a Hall of Famer. He didnt dominate long enough to get that honor. And although he was in 2 World Series. He has no rings, which is a major consideration. Especially in the case of Kirby Puckett.
white shorts	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:09 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01	thats exactly what it said on espn last night, and i tend to agree. but his numbers compare well with many current hall of famers. i don't think he'll get in anytime soon because of his attitude problems and because of his career ending prematurely.
Froy King Shit *board owner*	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:18 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Feb. 01	His numbers are phenomenal, but it's a short career. If it took Maz this long to get in, then I don't see Belle getting in any time soon. ~Matt/Froy from Jersey The Hell Hole Official Protector of Gay Marco & SwampJunk...if he ever decides to post. Also providing total immunity to Fayth
MashedPotatohead NIGGA PLEASE! All the bitches in here are crazy!	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:36 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	Unfortunately, with writers doing the voting - it may be a difficult task. He has had quite a few run-ins with them and even though they may publicly say the 'right things' there will be a prejudice against him. Sig Pic Under Construction
theinsectsgotme	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:46 PM
Psychopath Registered: Sep. 00	The Hall Of Fame is a joke. What did Mazeroski hit lifetime -- .261. And one huge homer in a series. That gets you in. Look at Puckett's career #'s next to Mattingly's. They're real, real close. Neither should be there. And Belle shouldn't be there either. "Can't afford Photo Shop"

Displaying 1-11 of 11 messages in this thread.