Flashback #28: White Sox Sign Albert Belle (1996)

As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.

November 19, 1996 - White Sox sign Albert Belle

Following the 1996 season, Indians slugger Albert Belle was the most highly-sought free agent in the game.

Belle, then 30, finished third in MVP voting after the '96 season by hitting .311 with 38 home runs and a league-leading 148 RBIs. It was the fifth-straight season Belle had at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. That season also marked Belle's fourth-straight All-Star appearance.

The White Sox won Belle's services when they offered him a five-year, $55 million deal, making him the highest-paid player in baseball at the time.

In two season in Chicago, Belle hit .301 with 79 home runs and 268 RBIs. His 49 home runs in 1998 is still the single-season record in the White Sox organization.

Belle's time with the White Sox was brief, however, as his contract had an unusual clause allowing him to demand that he remain one of the three highest paid players in baseball. In October of 1998, Belle invoked the clause, and when the White Sox declined to comply, Belle immediately became a free agent.

He later signed a five-year, $65 million contract with Orioles, though he retired two years into that deal.

The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »