Baltimore Orioles History: Albert Belle Has Degenerative Hip
The Baltimore Orioles were expecting Albert Belle to help power the middle of their lineup. Instead, on this day in 2001, his career came to an end.
During his time, Albert Belle was one of the most feared power hitters in the game. He was the first player in baseball history to hit 50 doubles and 50 homers in the same season, doing so with the Cleveland Indians in the abbreviated 1995 campaign. Belle was also known for his angry, and occasionally violent nature, which he channeled into punishing baseballs throughout the 1990’s.
Given his rampage on the power categories through the 1990’s, it is easy to understand why the Baltimore Orioles would have coveted Belle in free agency. They signed him to a five year contract for over $62 Million, expecting that he would led the Orioles to the Promised Land. Although he had a solid 1999 campaign, he was not quite the same player he had been with the Indians or White Sox.
Then, the next millennium came about, and Belle struggled. Bothered by an ongoing hip issue, Belle had a career worst 109 OPS+ and 28 homers. Although he was starting to donwslope of his career, Belle was still expected to have a few good years left. But those hip issues appeared to sap him of his swing. It was definitely a reason for concern.
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As it turned out, that 2000 season would be the last time Belle was able to play. On this day in 2001, the Orioles announced that Belle had a degenerative hip condition, and would no longer be able to play. He was placed on the 60 day disabled list, and with three years left on his deal, was forced into an early retirement.
While he had a solid career, Belle’s hip issues likely kept him from serious consideration for the Hall of Fame. He had a career .295/.369/.564 batting line, hitting 381 homers and 389 doubles. With healthier hips, and another five or six years in the game, it is not unreasonable to imagine Belle as having over 500 homers and doubles.
As it was, he lasted on the Hall of Fame ballot for one year, receiving 3.5% of the vote. Belle was also a part of the 2017 ballot for the Veteran’s Committee, but fell short there as well. It would have been interesting to see what his final numbers would have been if he could have remained on the field.
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Albert Belle was a feared slugger in the 1990’s, but that was just about the extent of his career. On this day in 2001, the Baltimore Orioles announced that his career had come to an end because of those degenerative hip issues.