Books and articles about Stan Belinda

Belinda's development as one of Pittsburgh's most promising relievers came to a crashing halt when the right-handed sidearmer surrendered the game-winning hit to Atlanta's Francisco Cabrera in Game Seven of the 1992 NLCS, sending the Pirates home early for the third consecutive season. Although he had led the NL East champions with 18 saves in 1992, Belinda's stay in the Steel City ended midway through the 1993 season when the Pirates sent him to Kansas City for Jon Lieber and Dan Miceli.

SHOPPING » Look for Stan Belinda books at BN.com » Look for Stan Belinda books at Amazon.com Your purchases keep BaseballLibrary.com online. Thank you!

RELATED LINKS Around the Web » Stan Belinda from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

After several uninspiring seasons with the Royals, Belinda signed with Boston in 1995 and pitched effectively as Rick Aguilera's setup man. But he was released after injuries ruined his 1996 season, and the only contract he was offered was a minor-league deal from the Reds. Reborn in Cincinnati, Belinda turned in a remarkable year, leading all relievers with 114 strikeouts. His 84 appearances ranked second in the National League.

But Belinda faced another, more serious setback in May 1998, when he began feeling numbness in his body. The worsening condition was diagnosed that August as the early stages of multiple sclerosis, a disease with no known cure. "[The Cabrera hit] haunted me for years,'' Belinda said later, "but MS puts everything in perspective.''

Thanks to a new diet and a strict drug regimen, Belinda fought off MS symptoms and biceps tendinitis to reclaim a job in the Reds bullpen in June 1999. Although he spent most of his time as a self-described "mop-up man" (one of his two saves was earned by pitching the last three innings of a 19-run blowout) Belinda proved to be a valuable mentor for the club's young relief corps, particularly Rookie of the Year Scott Williamson. That September, Belinda got more good news when Pirates fans named him the fourth-best reliever in club history after Kent Tekulve, ElRoy Face and Dave Giusti.

Belinda was traded to Colorado after the season as part of a package for slugger Dante Bichette, but struggled in a more prominent role with the Rockies. He was released that July and signed a short-term, minor-league deal with the Braves. (JGR)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 31, 1993: The Pirates trade P Stan Belinda to the Royals in exchange for pitchers Jon Lieber and Dan Miceli. » August 13, 1997: The Reds defeat the Padres, 2-0, on a combined 1-hitter by Mike Morgan (7 innings), Stan Belinda (1 inning), and Jeff Shaw (1 inning). OF Mark Sweeney's single is San Diego's only hit. » September 4, 1999: Cincinnati scores nine runs in the 5th inning on the way to a 22-3 blowout over Philadelphia. The Reds tie an National League record by hitting nine home runs in the contest -- 2 by C Eddie Taubensee and one apiece by Aaron Boone, Dmitri Young, Jeffrey Hammonds, Greg Vaughn, Pokey Reese, Brian Johnson, and Mark Lewis. Chad Ogea, in two 2/3 innings, allows three dingers; he has now served up a league high 35. Stan Belinda of the Reds earns a save for Pete Harnisch (14-8); he benefits from the rule that mandates a save be awarded if a pitcher works three innings in relief. » October 30, 1999: The Rockies trade long-time favorite Dante Bichette to the Reds in exchange for OF Jeffrey Hammonds, P Stan Belinda, and cash. No word on the fate of Dante's Denver restaurant.