Albert Belle

[dominik]

Actually, Belle had 4 'monster seasons', 2 very good ones, and a few good ones. If he had been able to play5 or 6 more so-so seasons, then he would be a first ballot guy. While it may be an accepted way to separate the all time greats from the very good, would it REALLY have made him a better player by playing 6 more so-so seasons?

People want to induct Edgar Martinez...well you'd better make room for Belle first.

edgar played 500 more games and has twice as much WAR as Belle. Of course belle would be in if he had 4-5 more seasons like his good ones. but he didn't, longevity is a part of the game too. or would you really say that longevity doesn't matter?

belle did have HOF level talent but he couldn't do it.

[leewileyfan]

edgar played 500 more games and has twice as much WAR as Belle. Of course belle would be in if he had 4-5 more seasons like his good ones. but he didn't, longevity is a part of the game too. or would you really say that longevity doesn't matter?

belle did have HOF level talent but he couldn't do it.

He couldn't "do" it because of a degenerative condition in his hip.

[pheasant]

Actually, Belle had 4 'monster seasons', 2 very good ones, and a few good ones. If he had been able to play5 or 6 more so-so seasons, then he would be a first ballot guy. While it may be an accepted way to separate the all time greats from the very good, would it REALLY have made him a better player by playing 6 more so-so seasons?

People want to induct Edgar Martinez...well you'd better make room for Belle first.

I definitely agree that Albert Belle's career was much better than Edgar's. I just can't quite put him into the Hall with only 10 full seasons played, despite the fact that is was very good ball. But he's very close. Had he put up 3-4 more similar years, then he'd be a shoe-in. 3-4 more years puts him at 500 HRs with very good percentages.

[fenrir]

I'd put him in because I'm a big peak guy, and Belle was a beast in his prime. Definitely one of the best hitters of the 1990's. A healthy Belle at the plate was probably the second best hitter in the AL after Frank Thomas, or possibly third after Edgar Martinez and Thomas.

[willshad]

I'd put him in because I'm a big peak guy, and Belle was a beast in his prime. Definitely one of the best hitters of the 1990's. A healthy Belle at the plate was probably the second best hitter in the AL after Frank Thomas, or possibly third after Edgar Martinez and Thomas.

I remember in 1997 or so, when belle went to the White Sox, people were thinking it would be the next Ruth/Gehrig combo. Couldn't really blame them, as they were the best hitters in the league from 1994-1996. it didn;t work out, though, as Belle had an off year in 1997 and Thomas had an off year in 1998, then belle was gone.

[redban]

I always thought Belle was kept out because of steroids. If there's no evidence that he ever used steroids, then it's not right to keep him out.