Gus Bell

Gus Bell, born David Russell Bell, Jr. (November 15, 1928 - May 7, 1995), was a Major League Baseball center fielder/right fielder who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1950-52), Cincinnati Reds and Redlegs (1953-61), New York Mets (1962) and Milwaukee Braves (1962-64). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

Career

A native from Louisville, Kentucky, Bell played nine of his 15 seasons with Cincinnati and was the oldest member of a rare three-generation major league family. His son, Buddy, is a former third baseman, coach and manager, and his grandsons, David and Mike, a pair of infielders.

Related Topics:
Louisville, Kentucky - Buddy - Third baseman - Coach - Manager - David - Mike

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Bell was one of the most feared hitters throughout the 1950s and was a highly ranked outfielder as well. He provided an one-two punch along with Ralph Kiner for the Pirates. Later, he fit snugly into Cincinnati lineups with sluggers like Smoky Burgess, Ted Kluszewski, Vada Pinson, Wally Post and Frank Robinson. A four-time All-Star selection, Bell enjoyed his best seasons in 1963, when he hit .300 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI, and 1955, collecting .308, 27, 104. Four times, he knocked in more than 100 runs in a season and hit 103 home runs from 1953-56.

Related Topics:
Ralph Kiner - Slugger - Smoky Burgess - Ted Kluszewski - Vada Pinson - Wally Post - Frank Robinson - All-Star - Home run - RBI

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On April 11, 1962, Bell was the starting right fielder in the Mets inaugural game, and also was their first base runner after hitting a single in the second inning of an 11-4 loss to St.Louis.

Related Topics:
1962 - Single - St.Louis

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In a 15-year career, Bell was a .281 hitter with 206 home runs and 942 RBI in 1741 games. He died in Montgomery, Ohio, at 66 years of age.

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Every year, a Celebrity Golf Tournament is held in his honor. Proceeds benefit the Down Syndrome Assocation of Greater Cincinnati. Gus' granddaughter Traci, whom he was very close to, has Down Syndrome. The tournament is held in mid-July every year. In 2005, it celebrated it's tenth anniversary. The current tournament staff includes Deborah Baker, Ty Steele, Gus' widow Joyce Bell-Dolle, and her husband Don Dolle.

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