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Source: Belle 'unlikely' to play again
Updated: Thursday March 08, 2001 7:59 AM
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Albert Belle and the Baltimore Orioles agree that it's "highly unlikely" he will ever appear in another baseball game, according to a source familiar with his conversations with the team. Belle, who hasn't played in any spring training games because of his injured right hip, was examined Wednesday by two team doctors. Belle, Orioles owner Peter Angelos and the players' association had conversations about how to proceed with the outfielder's departure, said the source, who spoke on the condition he not be identified. "Everyone has agreed it is highly unlikely he will play baseball again," the source said. Belle's agent, Arn Tellem, spoke with his client Wednesday but not with the doctors and didn't want to discuss their diagnosis. Tellem said Belle has a severe case of degenerative arthritis. "He's considering what the doctors had to say and trying to make the best decision for himself," Tellem said. A decision on Belle's future could come as early as Thursday, Tellem said. Baltimore owes Belle $13 million in each of the final three seasons of his five-year, $65 million contract, but 70 percent of each season's total is covered by insurance. The team's options appear to be releasing him or placing him on the 60-day disabled list for each of the next three seasons.
Belle has missed all six of the Orioles' exhibition games because of the injury, which has left him with a noticeable limp and the realization that his career might be over. The result of the examinations by orthopedic specialist Michael Jacobs and Dr. Charles Silberstein. Belle made a quick visit to the Orioles' training complex Wednesday morning. He drove away without speaking to reporters. WBAL, the Orioles' radio flagship station, reported that Belle would announce his retirement this week, and Belle said in an interview with USA Today that it would take a "miracle" for him to play again. The Orioles have been seeking to resolve a situation that has dragged for weeks. "I would think that's another step on the way to seeing where we're at with Albert, and Albert also seeing where he is," Baltimore manager Mike Hargrove said. "It's another step in the process." With three weeks left in spring training, Hargrove has been unable to establish the makeup of his outfield or determine if Belle will be able to serve at least as a designated hitter. "I understand the situation with Albert is important for everybody. Yeah, I'd rather not have it, and I'm sure Albert would rather not have it," Hargrove said. "It's going to run its course." Belle played in 232 consecutive games, then the longest current streak in the majors, before sitting out an Aug. 27 game against Tampa Bay last season. He played in the Orioles' next six games before missing 20 games in September with an inflamed bursa sac in the right hip pointer. He returned to play in the final six games of the season and finished with 103 RBIs, his ninth straight season with at least 100. It's the fourth-longest streak in baseball history. There's little chance Belle will have a chance to make it 10 in a row. If Belle cannot play, Chris Richard and Brady Anderson would cover right field, and Jeff Conine would take most of the at-bats as the right-handed DH. Hargrove has had his share of run-ins with Belle, dating back to the days when both were with the Cleveland Indians. But the manager hates seeing Belle's stormy career conclude in this fashion. "You have a certain amount of compassion. If it does turn out that Albert's career is over, you certainly hate to see it end like this," Hargrove said. "Everybody is dealt a different hand, and you play that hand. You watch him go about his business, you see the desire and work ethic, and so far it's just not working." Jerry Manuel, Belle's former manager with the Chicago White Sox, had similar sentiments. "Obviously, it saddens me. Albert gave me some good years," Manuel said. "I feel bad for him because I know how much he loves to play and perform. This could be a difficult time for him."
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