Heath Bell
Bell pitching for the Padres.
Miami Marlins – No. 21
Pitcher
Born: (1977-09-29) September 29, 1977 (age 34) Oceanside, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 24, 2004 for the New York Mets
Career statistics (through May 31, 2011)
Win-Loss	30-27
Earned run average	3.23
Strikeouts	510
Saves	144
Teams
New York Mets (2004–2006) San Diego Padres (2007–2011) Miami Marlins (2012–present)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (2009, 2010, 2011) 2× NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (2009, 2010) 2010 DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award 2010 The Sporting News NL Reliever of the Year Award 2009 NL Saves Champion

Heath Justin Bell (born September 29, 1977) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball. After taking over the San Diego Padres closer role from Trevor Hoffman in 2009, Bell was named a three-time All-Star and has been awarded with the Rolaids Relief Man Award twice and has also won the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award and The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award. From 2010–2011, he successfully converted 41 straight save opportunities, tied for the sixth longest streak in MLB history.

Early years[link]

Bell was born in Oceanside, California. He attended Columbus Tustin Middle School and Tustin High School in Tustin, California, which is about 50 miles (80 km) from Oceanside. He lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.^[1]

Bell attended Santiago Canyon College where he was named a freshman All-American in 1997.^[2][3] In 1997 Bell made two appearances in the National Baseball Congress world series while playing for the El Dorado Broncos. He did not give up any runs and was named the league's Graduate of the Year in 2011.^[4] He was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 69th round of the 1997 amateur draft.^[1]

Pro career[link]

New York Mets[link]

Bell did not begin his professional career until 1998, when he signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent.^[1] He made his major league debut on August 24, 2004 pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts against the San Diego Padres.^[1] The righty spent the next two seasons shuttling between the Mets and their Triple-A affiliate Norfolk. Bell said coaches in the Mets' minor leagues told him his best opportunity to succeed was to leave the organization as other people did not believe in him.^[3]

San Diego Padres[link]

On November 15, 2006, Bell was traded to San Diego, along with pitcher Royce Ring, for outfielder Ben Johnson and relief pitcher Jon Adkins.^[5] He was part of the Padres bullpen, where he replaced Scott Linebrink as the 8th inning setup man before Trevor Hoffman closed games.^[6] In 2009, Hoffman signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and Bell was promoted to closer. Bell sprints from the bullpen^[7] and into a save situation accompanied by the song “Blow Me Away” by Breaking Benjamin.^[8] Bell's save situations are referred to by fans as "Bell's Hell", a play on Hoffman's famous "Hells Bells".^[9]

In 2009, Bell was named MLB Delivery Man of the Month in April after converting all eight of his save opportunities in 8 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings of work while striking out nine batters.^[10] He was named to the National League (NL) All-Star Team on July 5. He, along with teammate Adrian Gonzalez, represented the Padres at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14. Bell came on in the 8th inning and gave up a triple to Curtis Granderson followed by a sacrifice fly to Adam Jones to make the score 4–3 in the American League's favor; Bell was the losing pitcher in the game. Bell ended the 2009 season leading the National League in saves with 42 in his first year as a full time closer. He won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award^[11]

In 2010, Bell was named to his second consecutive NL All-Star team in July. Starting May 29, he converted 34 consecutive saves to end the season, the longest streak by a Padres since Hoffman. Bell collected saves on a season-high four consecutive days from August 10–13. For the year, Bell had a career-high 47 saves, which ranked second in MLB and was second in team history behind Hoffman's 53 in 1998. Bell's .940 save percentage (47 of 50) led all of MLB. He did not allow any of his nine inherited runners to score, and he had six saves of more than one inning pitched. Bell won the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award, The Sporting News NL Reliever of the Year Award, and the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award.^[12][13][14]

Bell was the highest paid Padres player in 2011 at $7.5 million salary and would be eligible for free agency at the end of the season.^[15] He converted his first seven save opportunities of 2011, which tied him with Hoffman for the Padres club record of 41 consecutive successful save conversions. The streak also tied him with Hoffman and Rod Beck for the then-fourth longest in MLB history.^[16] Bell blew his next save opportunity, a 3–0 lead, after he opened the ninth inning walking the first two batters, and third baseman Chase Headley made a two-out, two-run throwing error to tie the game.^[17] On May 14, Bell recorded his 100th career save in a 9–7 win over the Colorado Rockies.^[18] Bell was selected to his third consecutive All-Star game. Entering the game in the eight inning, Bell sprinted from the bullpen and did a slide in front of the pitcher's mound, taking out a chunk of the infield grass and leaving grass stains on his pants. "I wanted the fans to have fun with this," said Bell.^[7][19][20] With the team 12 games under .500 coming out of the All-Star break, general manager Jed Hoyer said the Padres would pursue a long-term contract with Bell if they did not get a desirable trade offer for him.^[21][22] Ultimately Bell was not traded at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, but Hoyer admitted Bell’s greatest value to the team might come as a free agent if Bell refuses salary arbitration and signs elsewhere—the Padres would receive two first-round draft picks in June 2012 as compensation.^[23][24] Bell said he planned to accept arbitration from the Padres if they did not agree on a multi-year deal.^[25] He finished the season 43 of 48 in save opportunities with a 2.44 ERA, but he struck out less than 30 percent of all opponents’ at-bats for the first time as a Padre.^[26][27]

Bell wanted a three-year contract from the Padres, who instead offered two years with an option for 2014. Talks stalled after Hoyer left the Padres and was replaced by Josh Byrnes as general manager. The Padres offered arbitration, but Bell backed away from his earlier intention to accept arbitration. The Miami Marlins, the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were also interested in signing him. Bell had a 27–19 record with a 2.53 earned run average and 134 saves in 354 appearances with the Padres over five seasons.^[27] His 132 saves in the last three seasons led the majors.^[28]

Miami Marlins[link]

On December 1, 2011, Bell agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract with the Miami Marlins pending a physical.^[29] The deal became official on December 5.^[30] He was temporarily demoted from the closer role in May after beginning the 2012 season blowing four of his first seven save opportunities with an 0–3 record and an 11.42 ERA in 11 games.^[28][31] Bell said he had been battling an undisclosed personal issue, and he felt "completely lost" in Miami being apart from his family.^[31]

Scouting report[link]

Generally a power pitcher, Bell has averaged nearly a full strikeout per inning but also proved to be hittable in his 2005 sophomore season allowing 10.8 hits per nine innings and a very high 5.59 earned run average. Bell has a 94–98 mph fastball, usually sitting between 95 and 96. He also has an 11–5 curveball in the low 80s.^[32] Keith Law of ESPN wrote in 2011 that Bell has a straight fastball and pitches in the upper half of the zone, and benefited from pitching in the spacious Petco Park as a Padre.^[33]

Personal information[link]

Bell is married to Nicole, and they have four children.^[34] They reside in San Diego.^[15] Bell's cousin is actor and musician Drake Bell. Former basketball player Erik Meek is also his cousin.^[35]

Bell joined the Hope For Leadership Foundation, a Christian-based movement that promotes sports and civic programs for inner-city kids.^[15]

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball saves champions

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Heath Bell

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Official website

Paul Goldschmidt
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 44
First baseman
Born: (1987-09-10) September 10, 1987 (age 24) Wilmington, Delaware
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 1, 2011 for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Career statistics (through May 22, 2012)
Batting average	.247
Home runs	10
Runs batted in	42
Slugging percentage	.427
Teams
Arizona Diamondbacks (2011–present)

Paul Edward Goldschmidt (born September 10, 1987) is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Life and career[link]

Goldschmidt was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, out of the Texas State University.^[1] He was the California League MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2010.^[2]

He was named the first baseman on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All Star team.^[3]

Goldschmidt was called up to the majors for the first time on August 1, 2011.^[4] At the time of his call-up, he was leading the minors in home runs (30). In his first Major League at-bat, Goldschmidt had a base hit. The next day, on August 2, 2011, Goldschmidt hit his first home run off of San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum. In his rookie season, Goldschmidt batted .250 with 8 home runs and 26 RBI in 48 games.

In Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers, Goldschmidt blasted a two-out grand slam to keep the Diamondbacks alive in the postseason. He is only the third rookie to hit a grand slam in post season history.

Goldschmidt was named the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year for 2011.

Goldschmidt's father is Jewish and his mother is Christian; he was raised a Christian.^[5]

References[link]

External links[link]

Baseball portal

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

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Cameron Maybin
San Diego Padres – No. 24
Center fielder
Born: (1987-04-04) April 4, 1987 (age 25) Asheville, North Carolina
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 17, 2007 for the Detroit Tigers
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Batting average	.255
Home runs	22
Runs batted in	85
Runs	175
Teams
Detroit Tigers (2007) Florida Marlins (2008–2010) San Diego Padres (2011–present)

Cameron Keith Maybin (born April 4, 1987 in Asheville, North Carolina) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres. He was the tenth over-all pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and drafted by the Detroit Tigers. Also known as "Cocoa Diablo," he was consistently ranked as the Tigers top minor league prospect while in the organization.^[1][2][3]

High school[link]

Maybin played high school baseball for T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina. As a freshman, he led his team to a state title and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.^[4] Joe Hayden, his manager with the Midland Redskins, said he had "the same instincts in the outfield and at the plate" as Ken Griffey, Jr., who Hayden also coached in the Connie Mack division, an amateur baseball league for players 18 and younger.^[4] The summer before his senior season, Maybin won the Connie Mack World Series batting title and World Series MVP award in Farmington, New Mexico.^{[citation needed]} Maybin was also named the 2004 Baseball America Youth Player of the Year.^{[citation needed]}

Minor leagues[link]

After graduating from high school, Maybin entered the Major League draft. In their pre-draft rankings, Baseball America tabbed him as the most promising available outfielder and the third-best hitting prospect overall.^[5] He fell to the Tigers in tenth spot in the 2005 draft, in part due to speculation he'd be difficult to sign.^[6] He signed in September for a $2.65 million bonus.^[7]

In 2006, Maybin played his first professional season for the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps, helping them win the Midwest League championship. He had a batting average of .304, hit nine home runs and stole twenty-seven bases. He was chosen to participate in the All-Star Futures Game.^[8]

In late November 2006, Cameron was given the Class A Playoff Performer Award by MiLB.com.^[9] He began the 2007 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High-A Florida State League.^[10] On August 9, 2007, Maybin was promoted from the Single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers to the Double-A Erie Seawolves.

Maybin last played in the minors for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats where he was hitting .262 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and 17 stolen bases to go along with a hefty 99 strikeouts in 309 at-bats (82 games).

Minor league honors[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2010)

• 2× All-Star Futures Game selection
• Southern League Player of the Week
• Arizona Fall League Rising Stars
• Southern League Mid-Season All-Star
• Baseball America High Class A All-Star
• Florida State League Postseason All-Star
• Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star
• MiLB.com Class A Best Playoff Performer
• Baseball America Low Class A All-Star
• Midwest League Postseason All-Star
• Midwest League Prospect of the Year

Major Leagues[link]

Detroit Tigers[link]

Maybin during his tenure with the Florida Marlins in 2010 spring training.

Maybin was called up to the Tigers on August 17, 2007, and made his Major League debut that day, going 0-4. He was the youngest player in the American League (20 years old). In his second game, August 18, 2007, Maybin picked up his first career hit, (a single), and first career home run, both off of Roger Clemens. During his next plate appearance, he was hit by a Clemens fastball. In the same game, Maybin also earned his first Major League stolen base. Thus, Maybin received his first Major League hit, home run, hit-by-pitch and stolen base in the same game.^[11]

Florida Marlins[link]

On December 5, 2007, the Tigers traded Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo, Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz, and Burke Badenhop to the Florida Marlins for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera.^[12]

On September 16, 2008, Maybin was called up to the Florida Marlins. He went 16 for 32 (.500 average) with 4 stolen bases in 8 Major League games.

In 2009, Maybin was the starting center fielder for the Florida Marlins when they faced the Washington Nationals on Opening Day. Maybin was sent back down in May to the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs after a poor start to the 2009 season.^{[citation needed]}

In his final season with the Marlins, Maybin hit .234 with 9 stolen bases in 82 games.

San Diego Padres[link]

Following the 2010 season, Maybin was traded to the Padres for Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica.^[13] In 2011, he became the ninth player in Padres history to steal 40 bases.^[14] He hit .264 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs and was the Padres' 2011 nominee for the Hank Aaron Award.^[15] The San Diego Union-Tribune praised Maybin's defense and called his acquisition "one of the best trades in Padres history" and named him the team's MVP.^[16] MLB.com wrote that his defense in center field was "Gold Glove-caliber".^[15]

On March 3, 2012, Maybin and the Padres agreed on a 5 year deal worth $25 million.

Personal[link]

Maybin is a cousin of NFL linebacker Aaron Maybin, NBA guard Rashad McCants, WNBA guard/forward Rashanda McCants and a third cousin of Canadian Football League running back John Avery.^{[citation needed]}

References[link]