GaryMrMets
06-30-2004, 03:21 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9042693.htm
Posted on Wed, Jun. 30, 2004
Phillies Notes | Cycle wasn't a Bell family first
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
Phillies third baseman David Bell completed the 243d cycle in baseball history Monday night when he tripled in the seventh inning against the Montreal Expos at Citizens Bank Park.
Bell wasn't the first family member to accomplish the feat.
He wasn't even the first family member to do it in Philadelphia.
Bell's grandfather, Gus Bell - a four-time all-star - hit for the cycle for the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 4, 1951, against the Phillies at Shibe Park. Bell tripled off the right-field wall in the first inning and homered in the fifth to give the Pirates a 6-0 lead on their way to a 12-4 victory.
Bell, according to the next day's Inquirer, hit a "safety" in the third and walked in the eighth. It's unclear when he doubled.
David Bell's feat was seen by 39,444 fans in the stands Monday. Just 2,367 attended that day at Shibe Park, although Commissioner A. B. "Happy" Chandler was there as a guest of Phillies owner Bob Carpenter Jr.
Bud Selig couldn't be found at the Bank on Monday.
David Bell said that, after he hit for the cycle, his thoughts quickly turned to his grandfather, who died in 1995.
"To be honest, that was really the only thing that really meant a lot, other than getting four hits and driving in six runs," Bell said. "That part made it special. That's the thing I'm most proud of in the game - being part of a three-generation family and having two brothers that are playing, also. It's something that's very important to me and something that I think about a lot."
Bell remembered his grandfather's telling him numerous stories over the years.
"We always talked," he said. "We were very close. We spent a lot of time together. I got to spend a lot of time with him because he was always around when my dad was still playing. He knew how much I loved the game, so he talked to me a lot about it. A lot of stories. He was a big part of why I wanted to play the game."
On Monday night, Bell talked with his father, Buddy, a five-time all-star and now the bench coach with the Cleveland Indians.
"He joked about how he couldn't believe he never did it," Bell said. "He joked about it. I wouldn't do that."
Asked why he never hit for the cycle, Buddy Bell, who is in Detroit for a series against the Tigers, joked: "I spread all my hits out."
But he certainly was proud of his son.
"It's hard to do with Bell speed," the older Bell said. "My dad was the fastest of all of us. He could run. I don't know what happened to the rest of us."
Extra bases. Asked if he was concerned about Kevin Millwood's 4.93 ERA, manager Larry Bowa said: "I expect more from everybody. I think it's unfair to pick out one guy."... Outfielder Ricky Ledee's hemorrhoid surgery went well, but he's still sore. He was supposed to be in the clubhouse Monday but couldn't make it because of discomfort.
Posted on Wed, Jun. 30, 2004
Phillies Notes | Cycle wasn't a Bell family first
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
Phillies third baseman David Bell completed the 243d cycle in baseball history Monday night when he tripled in the seventh inning against the Montreal Expos at Citizens Bank Park.
Bell wasn't the first family member to accomplish the feat.
He wasn't even the first family member to do it in Philadelphia.
Bell's grandfather, Gus Bell - a four-time all-star - hit for the cycle for the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 4, 1951, against the Phillies at Shibe Park. Bell tripled off the right-field wall in the first inning and homered in the fifth to give the Pirates a 6-0 lead on their way to a 12-4 victory.
Bell, according to the next day's Inquirer, hit a "safety" in the third and walked in the eighth. It's unclear when he doubled.
David Bell's feat was seen by 39,444 fans in the stands Monday. Just 2,367 attended that day at Shibe Park, although Commissioner A. B. "Happy" Chandler was there as a guest of Phillies owner Bob Carpenter Jr.
Bud Selig couldn't be found at the Bank on Monday.
David Bell said that, after he hit for the cycle, his thoughts quickly turned to his grandfather, who died in 1995.
"To be honest, that was really the only thing that really meant a lot, other than getting four hits and driving in six runs," Bell said. "That part made it special. That's the thing I'm most proud of in the game - being part of a three-generation family and having two brothers that are playing, also. It's something that's very important to me and something that I think about a lot."
Bell remembered his grandfather's telling him numerous stories over the years.
"We always talked," he said. "We were very close. We spent a lot of time together. I got to spend a lot of time with him because he was always around when my dad was still playing. He knew how much I loved the game, so he talked to me a lot about it. A lot of stories. He was a big part of why I wanted to play the game."
On Monday night, Bell talked with his father, Buddy, a five-time all-star and now the bench coach with the Cleveland Indians.
"He joked about how he couldn't believe he never did it," Bell said. "He joked about it. I wouldn't do that."
Asked why he never hit for the cycle, Buddy Bell, who is in Detroit for a series against the Tigers, joked: "I spread all my hits out."
But he certainly was proud of his son.
"It's hard to do with Bell speed," the older Bell said. "My dad was the fastest of all of us. He could run. I don't know what happened to the rest of us."
Extra bases. Asked if he was concerned about Kevin Millwood's 4.93 ERA, manager Larry Bowa said: "I expect more from everybody. I think it's unfair to pick out one guy."... Outfielder Ricky Ledee's hemorrhoid surgery went well, but he's still sore. He was supposed to be in the clubhouse Monday but couldn't make it because of discomfort.