Juan Bell, 48; baseball utilityman for Orioles, Phillies, Expos, Brewers, Red Sox

[appl...@gmail.com]

Former Dominican baseball player Juan "Tito" Bell, who played for seven years with five different teams in the majors, died Wednesday morning, according to their families and the Dominican Federation of Professional Baseball Players. He was 48 years old.

Former slugger and MVP of the American League, George Bell, said his brother died of kidney complications at a hospital in Santo Domingo, capital of Dominican Republic. He will be buried Thursday in his native San Pedro de Macoris, east of Santo Domingo.

"Tito" Bell was signed by the Dodgers in 1984, but reached the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles in 1989. He also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox. He batted .212 in 836 at bats and only twice exceeded 100 games in a season.

In the Dominican winter league he played with Toros del Este, Tigres del Licey, Estrellas Orientales and Gigantes del Cibao.

[MJ Emigh]

One of those not-so-legendary brothers. Tommie Aaron, Billy Ripkin, Rich Murray, Jeremy Giambi, Larry Yount....they all made the majors, though. To be gone at 48 is very sad.

[Michael OConnor]

> One of those not-so-legendary brothers. Tommie Aaron, Billy Ripkin, Rich Murray, Jeremy Giambi, Larry Yount....they all made the majors, though. To be gone at 48 is very sad.

Billy Ripken was responsible for one of the most legendary baseball cards of all time, his 1989 Fleer rookie card, which is NSFW:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Ripken#/media/File:Bill_Ripken_baseball_card_(1989,_obscene_version).jpg

[MJ Emigh]

On Friday, August 26, 2016 at 5:24:24 PM UTC-5, Michael OConnor wrote:
> Billy Ripken was responsible for one of the most legendary baseball cards of all time, his 1989 Fleer rookie card

Strangely, some of the variations used in covering up the offending phrase (black scribble, white out, black box, etc.) are worth as much as the real deal. '89 was, continues to be, and likely always will be a rough year for baseball cards.

[Michael OConnor]

> Strangely, some of the variations used in covering up the offending phrase (black scribble, white out, black box, etc.) are worth as much as the real deal. '89 was, continues to be, and likely always will be a rough year for baseball cards.

There was the other one variation where they IIRC punched out or cut out a hole in the card where of offensive word was. The only one I own is the one with the obscenity on the card.

On the other hand, 1989 brought us the debut of the Upper Deck cards, and the 1989 Upper Deck Baseball set is considered by many collectors to be the most aesthetically pleasing set of baseball cards ever produced. The Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the high dollar card of the set:

http://www.oneforfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/89-UD-Griffey.jpg