Belle entered 2000 coming off a disappointing 1999. His numbers, although good, certainly did not reflect the Orioles’ expectations upon his signing a $12M annual deal. In addition to the performance issues, there were again a series of incidents that typified the controversial atmosphere around Belle around in the past. There were also issues of not working out with coaches, etc., that also caused concern, but the bottom line was lack of performance.

Since Belle had undergone a similar "slump" in his first year with the White Sox, only to follow with a monster year, fans were hoping for a repeat. What they got instead was a continued decline.

Albert, as has been his wont throughout his career, stated slowly in April. When he finally broke out in May and put together a monster June, however, it was too late. Being named AL Player of the Month was little compensation to the fans who saw Belle as symptomatic of what was "wrong" with the Orioles.

After June, however, things began to go terribly wrong for Belle. He lost all his power, he lunged at pitches, his hitch became more pronounced, and he began to play the outfield in a manner that made 1999 look like a Gold Glove year for him.

Some said it was the loss of "protection" in the lineup, and pitchers were now pitching around him. In actuality, they were going right AFTER him. And he was unable to do anything about it. From June to July, his monthly batting average dropped 110 points, while his OBP dropped an even steeper 125. He walked 12 times during his hottest month, and only 13 times over the next TWO months. His strikeout totals doubled over that two month period, as well. Pitchers were not pitching around him…they were letting him get himself out by putting the ball in play or striking out on pitches in or out of the strike zone. His pitches per plate appearance went from 4.1 in June to a combined 3.2 for July and August. Belle was not giving pitchers the CHANCE to pitch around him.

As it turned out, Belle has a degenerative hip condition, which has affected his play possibly back as far as several months after his arrival in Orange and Black. Since Belle seldom talks to the media (and with the no longer present Ken Rosenthal and John Buren in town, who can blame him? <g>), the condition was not that public until he began to run with a limp in early August. Shortly thereafter, he was finally shut down for the season.

His batting average had dropped all the way down to .281 after being over .300 as late as July. He hit only .255 in July, and .216 in August, and slugged .351 for the two month period.

With that in mind, he still topped 100 RBI, and had a "winning" Offensive Winning Percentage of .509, though for a power-hitting outfielder, that number is very low…he was 12th among the 16 regular right fielders in the AL.

Even injured, Albert Belle is still a controversial player. There’s no doubt that when healthy he can still produce, but it appears that his career is now over due to his condition.

NOTES: String of consecutive seasons with 30 HR and 100 RBI was snapped at eight, leaving Jimmie Foxx (12) and The Iron Horse (9) ahead of Belle…went 0 for 5 stealing bases after going 17 for 20 a season ago, probably due to the hip problem…hit .343 and slugged .650 against lefthanders in 137 AB…one of few O’s who actually hit higher than his season average with runners in scoring position…went 5 for 8 with the bases loaded…did hit .303 as DH in over 100 AB.