by His 1995 campaign is the one fans still talk about today and perhaps the greatest single season in Cleveland Indians history for Belle and his teammates.
He became the first player in Indians history to hit 50 Homeruns and 50 doubles in a single season, let alone a strike shortened one that saw only 144 games played. He drove in 126 RBI and became an impossible out the last 50 games of the season.
He was robbed of the MVP honor that season because of the extreme hatred the media had for him because of his multiple antics. The media chose to give it to Mo Vaughn instead. Belle seemed to heat up after winning the All-Star games Home Run Derby in Texas that summer.
He belted over 30 homeruns after the break, including 17 in September alone. Simply put, it was a thing of brilliance!
Belles power numbers were contagious as it spread to everyone near him. Check these video game numbers out. Again, remember, this is only in 144 games. Paul Sorrento with 25 bombs. Jim Thome with 25 dingers.
Manny Ramirez made people forget about Wayne Kirby awfully quick in 94 and kept it up in 95 with 31 long balls. Murray was hurt and only played in 113 games, but still knocked 21 bombs.
The Indians won 100 games and were the best team in baseball. If it wasn’t for his heroic extra inning homerun in game one of the division series against Boston to tie the game, one only knows if the Indians would have still mounted the comeback win.
The praise goes to Tony Pena for his walk off in the 13th, but as mentioned, if Belle doesn’t tie it off Rick Aguilera to open the 11th, who knows what may have happened.
The homerun itself was not without drama. Bob Costas was calling the game and said, “The last time Belle faced Aguilera he homered.” It was as if the moment was destined to happen. The words had just left Bob Costas mouth only seconds before Albert Belle smashed a fastball from Rick Aguilera over the wall to tie the game.
Seconds after Albert Belle rounded the bases, Boston manager, Kevin Kennedy, stormed the field to protest. He demanded that Belle’s bat be confiscated and taken in for inspection.
