View source for George Bell (outfielder)

{{short description|Dominican baseball player (born 1959)}}
{{Other people|George Bell}}
{{family name hatnote|Bell|Mathey|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=George Bell
|image=George Bell 1985.jpg
|image_size=235px
|caption=Bell playing for the Blue Jays in 1985
|position=[[Left fielder]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1959|10|21}}
|birth_place=[[San Pedro de Macorís]], [[Dominican Republic]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 9
|debutyear=1981
|debutteam=Toronto Blue Jays
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 2
|finalyear=1993
|finalteam=Chicago White Sox
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.278
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=265
|stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=1,002
|teams=
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|1981}}, {{mlby|1983}}–{{mlby|1990}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1991}})
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|1992}}–{{mlby|1993}})
|highlights=
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1987]], [[1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1990]], [[1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1991]])
* [[AL MVP]] (1987)
* 3× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1985–1987)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders|AL RBI leader]] (1987)
* [[Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence]]
| hofcolor= #EC1C40
| hoflink= Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
| hoftype= Canadian 
| hofdate= 2013
}}
'''Jorge Antonio Bell Mathey''' (born October 21, 1959), better known as '''George&nbsp;Bell''', is a [[People of the Dominican Republic|Dominican]] former [[left fielder]] and [[American League]] [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] in [[Major League Baseball]] who played 12 seasons for the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] (1981, 1983–1990), [[Chicago Cubs]] (1991) and [[Chicago White Sox]] (1992–1993). Bell batted and threw right-handed.

==Career==
{{MLBBioLOE
|Image  = JaysRetired11.PNG
|Name   = George Bell
|}}

Originally signed by the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in 1978, Bell was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980 [[Rule 5 draft]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=George Bell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellge02.shtml |access-date=January 19, 2013 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Bell was discovered in the [[Dominican Republic]] by Blue Jays scout [[Epy Guerrero]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=October 10, 1985 |title=SPORTS OF THE TIMES |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/10/sports/sports-of-the-times-068148.html |access-date=June 4, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He made his major league debut as a pinch runner on April 9, 1981, against the [[Detroit Tigers]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 9, 1981 |title=Toronto Blue Jays vs Detroit Tigers Box Score: April 9, 1981 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET198104090.shtml |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Bell appeared in 60 games during the 1981 season, batting .233 with five [[home run|home runs]] and 12 [[Run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBI).<ref name=":0" /> In 1982, he spent the season with the Triple-A [[Syracuse Chiefs]], where he hit just .200 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 37 games.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=George Bell Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bell--001jor |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> In 1983, he split the season between Syracuse and Toronto. With the Blue Jays, Bell batted .268 with two home runs and 17 RBI in 39 games.<ref name=":0" /> In 85 games with Syracuse, he hit .271 with 15 home runs and 59 RBI.<ref name=":1" />

Bell's first season as a regular was in {{mlby|1984}}, and he finished his first full season batting .292 with 26 home runs and 87 RBI in 159 games.<ref name=":0" /> That season, he first teamed with fellow outfielders [[Lloyd Moseby]] and [[Jesse Barfield]]. That outfield, along with solid starting pitching, led the Blue Jays to their first-ever [[American League East]] division title in {{mlby|1985}}. Bell caught a fly ball, off the bat of [[Ron Hassey]], for the final out in the 5–1 victory over the [[New York Yankees]] on October 5, clinching the division title for the Blue Jays.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 1985 |title=New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Box Score: October 5, 1985 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR198510050.shtml |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Despite Bell's .321 average in the [[1985 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], they lost the series to the [[Kansas City Royals]].<ref name=":0" /> His best season came in {{mlby|1987}}, although the Blue Jays fell two games short of the [[Detroit Tigers]] in the division race.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 American League Team Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1987.shtml |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Bell finished with a .308 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], .352 [[on-base percentage]], .608 [[slugging percentage]], 111 [[run (baseball)|runs]], 47 home runs, a league-leading 134 RBI, and a major-league leading 369 total bases in 156 games.<ref name=":0" /> He was awarded the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|American League MVP award]] that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinez |first=Michael |date=November 18, 1987 |title=Bell Is Named American League M.V.P. |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/18/sports/bell-is-named-american-league-mvp.html |access-date=June 4, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On April 4, {{mlby|1988}}, Bell became the first player in Major League history to hit three home runs on an opening day (all of them coming off of [[Bret Saberhagen]]);<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news |last= |date=April 5, 1988 |title=Baseball; Bell, as D.H., Belts Record 3 Homers |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/05/sports/baseball-bell-as-dh-belts-record-3-homers.html |access-date=June 5, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> however, his play throughout the year declined as he conflicted with Blue Jays manager [[Jimy Williams]], who wanted Bell to become the Jays' full-time [[designated hitter]]. He finished the season batting .269 with 24 home runs and 97 RBI in 156 games.<ref name=":0" />  

Bell had a bounce-back year in {{mlby|1989}}, posting a .297 average, 18 home runs and 104 RBI in 153 games, helping the Blue Jays win their second division title.<ref name=":0" /> On May 28, 1989, Bell hit a [[walk-off home run]] in a 7–5 victory over the [[Chicago White Sox]] in the final Major League game played at [[Exhibition Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 28, 1989 |title=Chicago White Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Box Score: May 28, 1989 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR198905280.shtml |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Bell also homered in the first game at the Blue Jays' new park, SkyDome (now the [[Rogers Centre]]), on June 5, eight days later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 5, 1989 |title=Milwaukee Brewers vs Toronto Blue Jays Box Score: June 5, 1989 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR198906050.shtml |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> However, in the [[1989 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], he only hit .200 with one home run, as the Blue Jays lost the series to the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref name=":0" /> Bell became a free agent after the {{mlby|1990}} season. 

On December 6, 1990, Bell signed a three-year deal with the [[Chicago Cubs]] worth a guaranteed $13 million. The deal included an option for a fourth year.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 6, 1990 |title=Bell Flees Toronto to Sign With Cubs : Baseball: The free-agent outfielder says Blue Jays didn't treat him well. Chicago gives him a guaranteed $13 million. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-06-sp-8425-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> He batted .285 with 25 home runs and 86 RBI in 149 games, earning his third and final selection to the All-Star Game.<ref name=":0" /> After one year with the Cubs, he was traded across town to the Chicago White Sox for [[Sammy Sosa]] and [[Ken Patterson]] on March 30, 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=March 31, 1992 |title=Cubs Send Bell Across Town to White Sox |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-31-sp-248-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In his first season with the White Sox, Bell hit .255 while recording 25 home runs and 112 RBI in 155 games.<ref name=":0" /> In {{mlby|1993}}, his play declined, primarily due to a persistent knee injury, and he finished with a .217 average, 13 home runs and 64 RBI in 102 games.<ref name=":0" /> In a game against the [[Boston Red Sox]], [[Aaron Sele]] threw at Bell's head twice, which caused Bell to charge at Sele. Bell went to punch him but Sele dodged it before Bell got clotheslined by [[Mo Vaughn]] and sparking a benches-clearing brawl. Bell was suspended for two games for his actions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19930907&slug=1719865|title=Around The Majors -- See Sele Ring Bell; See Bell Try To Wring Sele|date=September 7, 1993|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> He was benched in the [[1993 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against his former team, the Blue Jays, and was released at the end of the season, after which he announced his retirement. 

Bell was a powerful free-swinger, usually posting a good slugging percentage and relatively low [[strikeout|strikeout rate]], but a poor [[on-base percentage]]. He was known as a mediocre defensive player and played mainly as a designated hitter during the last two years of his career, despite his strong preference for playing in the field. Despite his success on the field, Bell had a love-hate relationship with the fans and media in Toronto, particularly in his later years as his declining defensive game came to overshadow his offensive talents. After the fans booed him for committing an error, he told the media that the fans could "kiss my purple butt." The next day a sign appeared in left field "George, we are behind you all the way." {{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} Bell's difficult relationship with the Toronto sports media was exacerbated by his reluctance to do interviews during his early years with the Blue Jays (which was due to his then-weak knowledge of the English language). Towards the end of his time in Toronto, however, Bell warmed to the media, who in turn began to soften their often harsh criticisms of his play and attitude.

Bell is enshrined in the upper deck of the Rogers Centre's Level of Excellence, devoted to players and personnel who have made a significant impact as members of the Toronto Blue Jays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Level of Excellence {{!}} Toronto Blue Jays |url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/history/records-stats-awards/level-of-excellence |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]] |publisher=[[MLB.com]] |language=en}}</ref>
 
In 2004, Bell was inducted into the [[Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame]]. In 2013, he was inducted into the [[Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame]] and [[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=George Bell |url=http://oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/121-george-bell |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228125840/http://www.oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/121-george-bell |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2014 |website=[[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]]}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
In 1,587 games over 12 seasons, Bell posted a .278 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] (1,702-for-6,123) with 814 [[run (baseball)|runs]], 308 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], 34 [[triple (baseball)|triples]], 265 [[home runs]], 1,002 [[Run batted in|RBI]], 331 [[base on balls]], .316 [[on-base percentage]] and .469 [[slugging percentage]]. He recorded a .964 [[fielding percentage]]. In the 1985 and 1989 [[ALCS]], he hit .271 (13-for-48) with six runs, a home run and 3 RBI.<ref name=":0" />

==Personal life==
Bell is the older brother of late major leaguer [[Juan Bell]].<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Dominican Republic}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=110823|br=b/bellge02|fangraphs=1000808|brm=bell—001jor}}

{{AL MVPs}}
{{AL RBI champions}}
{{AL OF Silver Slugger Award}}
{{The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award}}
{{Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence}}
{{Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, George}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League Most Valuable Player Award winners]]
[[Category:American League RBI champions]]
[[Category:Azucareros del Este players]]
[[Category:Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox players]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic people of Cocolo descent]]
[[Category:Helena Phillies players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:20th-century Dominican Republic sportsmen]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball players from San Pedro de Macorís]]
[[Category:Reading Phillies players]]
[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
[[Category:South Bend White Sox players]]
[[Category:Spartanburg Phillies players]]
[[Category:Syracuse Chiefs players]]
[[Category:Tigres del Licey players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]