Albert Belle Breaks Silence With a Phone Call to the PD

It has always been my opinion that Albert Belle is probably the most undeserving villain in the history of Cleveland sports. He was the catalyst for the rebuilding process that occurred in the early 90's that brought the team out of decade long doldrums. The thing most fans probably forget - or don't know - about Belle is the fact he was probably the easiest autograph of a team of up-and-coming superstars at the stadium, signing for kids long after every other player had departed for the evening. The fans of the city, of course, turned on him after he signed a (much) bigger contract with the Chicago White Sox. I always would defend Belle by saying if some offered you $8 an hour and another company offered $12 for doing exactly the same job which one would you take.

The media was the biggest liability for Belle who took every chance they could to knock the superstar down. Like Steve Carlton, who was vilified by media of Philadelphia for his disdain of beat reporters, Belle was a superstar who hated the scribes but made profound statements on the field amassing huge numbers. That being said, he was hardly saint and his off-the-field antics are too well documented to bring up them up.

The reason I bring Belle up is that he called his former nemesis Paul Hoynes to talk a little Cleveland Indians baseball recently. Belle, who hardly spoke to the Indians beat reporter while he played his final years here, writes:

It just isn't a baseball season unless Albert Belle calls.

Belle, the worst-tempered player and most intimidating hitter I've ever covered, called Monday while I was walking into Busch Stadium to get ready for the home run derby. Belle was frustrated with the Indians' first half and wanted to talk about former teammate Manny Ramirez testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

And continued:

I ventured to say that his temper tantrums could have been interpreted as 'roid rage.

Said Belle, "No, I was just an angry black man."

Regarding the Indians, Belle said, "I hope they don't blame Eric Wedge for all this. You've got to have players to win."

Belle was told Wedge's job was in danger. When asked if he would want to manage the Indians, "Unless they got me a lot of new players, I don't need a headache like that."

As nice it was to hear Belle's name once again in the Cleveland sports conversation I have to say this: If Paul Hoynes truly was being fair in his interview (his coverage has always been rather biased regarding the former LSU college star) he should have asked about his prospects in the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame. I found it laughable that Charles Nagy (and I would never discredit Nagy as a player or professional) was the first player in that era to get the nod in the Tribe HOF. Belle wants to make amends with Cleveland and Hoyne's should have accepted the olive branch instead of bringing up the past that should be remembered for the good and not the bad.