Home


All-Time Roster Mugshots Player Awards Transactions Managers and Coaches Mets Staff Birthplaces Oldest Living Mets Necrology


Game Results Opening Day Walkoff Wins & Losses Mets in the Postseason No-Hitters and One-Hitters Mets All-Stars Opponents and Ballparks Daily Standings Seasons Mayors Trophy Games X


Leaderboards Yearly Leaders Decade Leaders Postseason Leaders


Ultimate Mets Scrapbook Forum Fan Memories Mets Uniforms Uniform Numbers Baseball Cards This Date in Mets History

Contact Us Frequently Asked Questions

THE ULTIMATE METS DATABASE IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE NEW YORK METS OR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

• 
  • All-Time Roster Every Met player... EVER!
    
  • Mug Shots The pretty ones and the ugly ones -- we have them all!
  
  
  • Player Awards Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame, and more.
  
  
  • Transactions Over a thousand player transactions -- in chronological order!
  
  
  • Managers & Coaches The men who have led the Mets, and the men who helped them.
  
  
  • Mets Staff Executives, General Managers, Broadcasters, and more. (And Jane Jarvis too!)
  
  
  • Birth Places Perfect for planning your Mets pilgrimages!
  
  
  • Oldest Living Mets See which Mets players have spent the most time walking the Earth.
  
  
  • Necrology Mets players and personnel who are no longer with us.
  
  

• 
  • Game Results
    All the wins, all the losses. Includes box scores and score cards!
  
  
  • Opening Day
    The first day of each season! See the starting lineups, who started at each position year-by-year, and leaders by position.
  
  
  • Walkoff Wins & Losses
    Interactively search for the happiest and saddest endings to Mets games.
  
  
  • Postseason Games How the Mets have fared in the games that count the most!
  
  
  • No-Hitters & One-Hitters See a list of every no-hitter and one-hitter pitched by the Mets, or against them. One of these categories was frustratingly empty for over fifty years, but not anymore!
  
  
  • All-Star Games Mets who have appeared in baseball's Mid-Summer Classic
  
  
  • Opponents & Ballparks See the Mets won-lost record against every team, and in every ballpark in which they've played!
  
  
  • Daily Standings What was the Mets' pennant outlook on any given day in past seasons?
  
  
  • Yearly Finishes The heights and the depths: the Mets won-lost record at the end of each season.
  
  
  • Mayor's Trophy Games A look back at the long-ago annual series between the Mets and their Bronx rivals.
  
  

• 
  • Leaderboards Career, season, and individual game leaders at your fingertips!
  • Team Leaders Players who led the Mets in various categories, from season to season.
  • Decade Leaders Mets history broken down into ten-year chunks!
  • Post-Season Leaders Mets leaders, by category, in post-season games

• 
  • Ultimate Mets Scrapbook The history of the Mets, as it was reported when it happened!
  • Forum Visit the Crane Pool Forum to discuss the Mets and just about anything else!
  • Fan Memories Insightful. Poignant. Thrilling. Somber. Nutty. Our visitors have submitted thousands of thoughts and memories of the Mets and the games they've played.
  • Mets Uniforms It's more than just laundry! Trace the evolution of the Mets official uniform over the years.
  • Uniform Numbers In association with Mets By the Numbers, we present a full history of who wore what number, and when!/li>
  • Baseball Cards Our collection of home-made baseball cards, in the style of the classic Topps cards of the 1970's.
  • This Date in Mets History Births, Deaths, Transactions, Newspaper Covers

• 
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Go

Derek Bell
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 93 of 1252 players
Derek Nathaniel Bell
Born: December 11, 1968 at Tampa, Fla.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 6.02 Weight: 215

Derek Bell was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on June 22, 2004, March 4, 2010, July 3, 2010, March 2, 2014, April 28, 2019, and December 25, 2021.

First Mets game: March 29, 2000
Last Mets game: October 4, 2000

Share your memories of Derek Bell HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY: Happy Recap I really like Derek Bell. He came to the Mets because the Astros wanted to get rid of him -- they insisted he be part of the Mike Hampton deal. Everyone expected he'd just be with the Mets for 2000, but he's been a terrific player. He's been productive at the plate, and he's playing an outstanding right field. He'll be a free agent after the season, but I'm hoping that somehow, some way, he'll be back with the Mets in 2001. murphy How could the Astros dislike this guy? What were they thinking forcing him out of town? He's a good major league hitter, a great defensive outfielder and he seems like he might just be the nicest guy to wear a Mets uniform. He's no Rickey Henderson or Bobby Boo. No wonder the Astros have the worst record in the majors. Won Doney When the Mets traded Roger Cedeno away, I thought it was going to be one of the many bad trades that have been made in Mets history. I was wrong. Derek Bell has been great since joining the team. They no longer wanted him inn Houston, but I have yet to figure out why. His ability to play the game and his attitude have been much needed. (Just don't have him pitch too often.) Big Met Fan I will never forget Derek Bell's pitching appearance against the Padres in August of 2000. The Mets were down by approximately 10 runs when D-Bell took the mound. His first pitch floated around 45 mph, a pitch Bell called "eephus." Bell gave up 5 runs, but amazingly kept a straight face. Overall, not much of a hitter (or pitcher), great defender, but didn't contribute all that much. Great sense of humor, though. Mr. Sparkle December 13, 2000 It looks like these comment were written in April. Dereck got out of the gate real quick and looked like a great pick-up but ended up fading fast and really being a drain down the stretch. Best thing to happen to Mets in playoffs was him getting hurt. I liked Dereck because he was a Mets fan growing up and he seemed to love being here but he's just not that good. Very good defensively but way too streaky withthe bat. Hope he enjoys Pittsburgh. Alex December 14, 2000 He started out hitting .400 to open up the first month of the 2000 season. After that....wow, nothing. Yeah, he was worthless in the longrun and him spraining his ankle was the best thing that happened. But I'll always like Derek Bell for being Derek Bell. I had tickets in the 155 area on the field and went to about 10 games there. Bell was always dancing or giving a ball to a kid or something nice and/or funny. Yeah he sucked but oh well, he made us laugh, gotta admit that. EG March 18, 2001 Couldn't stand the hip-hop nonsense, or the fact that he compiled all his numbers during only 15% of the season, but........he always played hard, and he always treated the fans well. Maybe some of you haven't noticed, but that is a rare combination these days. Mr. Sparkle March 29, 2001 Rated as the 16th best rightfielder(last in the league) in the NL for the 2001 season according to ESPN.com, one slot behind Timo Perez. kinerskorner April 19, 2001 extremely streaky hitter, and extremely weird looking guy. my friend thinks that his eyes make him look like one of those pound puppy stuffed animals. Coach HoJo 20 May 19, 2001 A lackluster waste of space, That basically sums up Derek Bell's career. murphy May 25, 2001 Since May of last year, Derek Bell has probably been the worst everyday player in baseball. He carried the Mets on his back from mid-April to mid-May last year, and then completely fell off the face of the earth. Mr. Sparkle May 29, 2001 Currently stealing $5m a year from the tight wad Pirates of all teams, hitting a wopping .136. What a clown. Jon June 4, 2001 Biggest pants in Met history. Jeff Torborg September 20, 2001 Possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen during a Mets Game was Derek Bell GETTING BOBBY V. TO DANCE. Just because that I wish they still had him. Won Doney October 23, 2001 I thought Derek Bell was a nice guy and everything, but he didn't hit after April. tvdude7 February 21, 2002 he may not of had an unbelievable year, but he was a really great guy. I sat in one of the right field boxes for an saturday afternoon met game. Bell made out in the first inning, and I'm like "that's okay bell, u'll get 'em next time." He looked at me and gave me a huge smile and said "I know I will." Too bad he struck his next at bat on three pitches. Bell, though, was cool and always talked to the people sitting near him, even when he was at his worst. Jim Snedeker March 7, 2002 Probably had the nicest smile ever to don a Mets uniform. Sad to see him go. Mr. Sparkle March 21, 2002 Ater hitting .173 last year for the Buc-os he now says he didn't know he had to compete for a job in spring training this year and if he's not named starter he is going into "Operation Shutdown"! What a set of cahones on this guy! He's a pisser. If only baseball were like football and you could cut a guy without having to pay the rest of his salary! Larry Burns June 17, 2002 This guy is schizophrenic! He came to the Mets as a troubled ballplayer. He begins the year hot and makes a name for himself by chatting with fans between innings, living on a houseboat and being a unique character. Then around July he goes cold and never regains his stroke. He ends up leaving the Mets going to the Pirates, sucking, and then (comically) going into Operation Shutdown. The Pirates released him. One sportswriter had a great comment on his release. He said Derek was a perfect Pirate, he lived on a boat and stole money. This guy is a pistol! Ventman July 6, 2002 My ex-gf and I (and some of our friends) were relaxing in Chelsea Pier back in 2000. I looked out at the boats and saw one that I had seen in a Sports Illustrated article the day before. I said "Hey, that looks just like the boat Derek Bell owns. See the number 14?" About 20 seconds later he strolls on by with his buddy and hops aboard. The buddies went over and nervously asked him for his autograph. He smiled and said "sure kid". He even let them take a picture next to the boat. Later on we walked over to a nearby strip club for goofs, and the girls were telling us how he constantly tries to get them on his boat. Guess I'd do the same thing if I had the bucks. All in all - cool guy until this past year. Jim July 7, 2002 I have to agree with an earlier post. Getting Bobby Valentine to dance in the Houston dugout was absolutely hilarious. Not only was it Bell's greatest contribution as a Met, he also made Bobby V prove his worth as a childhood ballroom dancing stud! steve r. nyc July 30, 2002 I was at a game in August of 2000 and was sitting out in right field. Bell spent much of his non-playing time entertaining us by dancing around, tossing foul balls our way, and signing autographs. A bunch of people had actual bells they would ring and he always turned around to acknowledge them. The kids in our section were smiling and delighted and rooted for him when he came to bat. Those kids will probably always remember the good time they had at a Mets game because of him. Say what you want about his playing abilities, his attitude toward the fans was admirable in an age of spoiled millionaire brats who could care less about the people who make it possible for them to be ballplayers. Thanks for the memories Derek. Wish there were more like you. Tony July 30, 2002 It's a shame that he wasn't a consistently good player, because I'm sure that he would have been one of the most beloved figures in recent NY sports history...and we wouldn't have to be saddled with Burnitz in right. Uncle Peanut August 27, 2002 Two things: 1. Good moustache. 2. As a Pirate he threatened to 'shut it down.' He got $9M from Pittsburgh amazingly. A writer in PA said it best at that point when he indicated that Bell was the perfect Pirate, because he lives on a boat and steals money. Gregory Gewirtz March 31, 2003 Someone else described Bell as a "lackluster waste of space," and I agree. We were forced to take him as part of the Mike Hampton trade, but Bell did nothing that couldn't be reasonably duplicated by dozens of other guys. He had a hot April, and another hot stretch somewhere in June or July, but that was it. His season-ending injury in Game 1 of the 2000 NLDS at SF was beneficial, and we had the excuse to play the hot Timo Perez in his place. Rob April 17, 2003 I'll always remember two things about Derek. First thing was when Clemens hit Piazza with the fast ball and Derek stood at the top of the dugout with the stupidest looking face on yelling at Clemens. Next is Derek's "Cy Young" performance. I just hope that other pitchers wear big doofy sunglasses when they pitch. Scatch May 29, 2003 Ah yes, the man who wanted to bring hip hop to baseball and wore really big to prove his point. Started out nice and faded quick. Was not sorry to see him go. That whole "Operation Shutdown" business with the Pirates is still pretty funny. Meredith June 26, 2003 Hey guys! I am a Mets fan by family, but have the pleasure of knowing D. His younger brother played for a college team that I work for and D would come to any of the games he could without getting in trouble! He would just sit in the dugout and help coach the kids. D is and was a real class act, he never turned any autographs or photographs down and loved to help us distract the other teams by whispering to their people "hey - isnt that Derek Bell sitting over there?"!! He is a great guy - oh and all that money he got for doing nothing? Rest assured he put it to good use - he has donated much of it to our little college and the team as well as area little league teams and Boys and Girls Clubs! Brooklyn 539er September 10, 2003 l remember Derek singing and screaming the 4 letter opera at Roger Clemens after he beaned Piazza. lf the Yankee Stadium dugout did not have the protective fence in front of it l'm sure Derek was going to go after Clemens. Now THAT'S a teammate. DB July 5, 2005 Bell was one of those 2000 Mets who needed another chance and then managed to get it. His first 16 at- bats were horrid, but his next 16 was flawlessly good. His knee injuries allowed for the arrival of Timo Perez, and later for the return of Matt Franco in the playoffs. Daryn January 26, 2006 He has my all time favorite intro song when he came to bat with the Mets...Big Pimpin'. Everytime I hear his name, that song pops in my head. Jonathan Stern February 1, 2006 I remember watching him joyfully crossing home plate during the 1992 World Series and thinking it was neat that a guy my age was in the Fall Classic. Of course, now that I'm a grizzled old vet, the novelty has worn off. I had high hopes for Bell when he got here. He looked like he enjoyed being on the field. But he started off well, gut hurt, and faded in a hurry. Lee March 22, 2006 The most exciting player in Mets history. Always had a smile on his face, and he was pretty clutch too. It was painful to watch him go down in the playoffs, but if it didn't happen, Timo Perez doesn't come in and save the day. Still, I love Derek Bell. Mark April 28, 2006 Ahhhhh, poor Derek. Busted in Tampa with a crack pipe. Real nice guy. From Yahoo news (April 20, 2006) "He was found with a crack pipe in the back seat of his car which was still warm," police spokesman Larry McKinnon said. Bell is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, McKinnon said. Bell later told police the items were his. Glad to see he put some of my money (I'm a Pee-Rat fan) to good use. Dollars out of my pocket and into Derek's lawyer's pocket, I reckon. Sad state of affairs. Doug August 19, 2006 I remember watching him on TV one game. He was playing in the outfield and pulled out his wallet from his back pocket! He then paid for some guys popcorn!! What a guy! rob sayegh December 22, 2006 First off the guy is a genius. I think I will try "Operation Shutdown" on my wife and see if it works!!!! Who could forget BIG PIMPIN down in NYC every time he came to bat?? And the doubleheader sweep agaunst CHI in April 2000 in 44 deg weather???? He lived in Jamaica Bay on that boat "his flo crib" LOL just like in Deuce Bigelow European Gigolo. Bonbolito May 20, 2007 George Carlin had a bit about cats not wanting to admit anything. One could try jumping out of a closed window, pretend it was intentional, then scoot behind the couch and go "Meow, @#$^%&!! MEOW". I remember seeing Derek Bell field a ball at Shea once that resulted in him sliding knee first into the concrete & steel edge of the right field stands. He cooly got up and ran into the dugout afterwards. He had to have done the same thing. Scott June 1, 2007 I ran into Derek Bell at a Popeye's in Manhattan in 1999, when Houston came to NY to play the Mets. He was covered in gold chains and wearing alligator boots. He was accompanied by two of the sketchiest characters I've ever seen--definite pimp/drug dealers. Bell stood in front of me in line and ordered 2 meals for himself. (It was only 2.5 hours before game time.) When the girl was taking too long to get the food he began muttering, "what the {bleep} is taking so long {bleep}er!" I didn't say anything to him, mostly out of fear of his henchmen. After I finished eating I yelled out, "Hey, Derek--you're a good player!" The two henchmen quickly looked over to me with shocked faces, like I had busted them doing a dope deal. Derek just nodded to me and said, "Thank you." I always wondered who in the hell those guys were and what they were doing with Derek. frank October 1, 2008 I remember a game he took money out of his pocket and bought some little girl cotton candy! Good player while we had him. Michael April 10, 2011 One of the great "personalities" of that playoff caliber era Mets seasons. Years later - I still vividly recall waiting for "Big Pimpin" to blast across the PA while attending games or hearing it on the TV when Derek came to bat. It was really hard not to root for him to do well while he was on the Mets. He represents the good parts/memories of those teams to me. Brandi September 6, 2013 Derek Bell is a really nice guy. Met him some years back; he is friends with my uncle and has pretty much became a part of my family! My daughter just recently got his autograph. Alex December 13, 2021 Bell was awesome in the early going in 2000, carrying a .360 average into late May. But the wheels fell off very quickly and by early June, he was barely holding onto a .300 mark. Then he surged again! Then he totally tanked. He fast went from someone I thought was awesome to someone I thought was a total disappointment. I remember when he got hit in the chin (?) by a ball while fielding and I believe he needed stitches. My memory is fuzzy on that. Alex August 14, 2023 I never realized how slow the 2000 Mets were until I noticed that, tied with Lenny Harris, Derek Bell led the club with just 8 stolen bases. This on a team that, just a year earlier, featured 66-steal Roger Cedeno and 37-steal Rickey Henderson. That was a down year for Bell, who'd averaged 22 swipes per year from 1993 to 1999. Bell has never been one to sign autographs through-the-mail, but that hasn't stopped me from trying to get him. I've sent him six autograph requests in my day—the first in 2005 and most recently in July of this year—but I have yet to have a response.

Meet the Mets

All-Time Roster

Mug Shots

Player Awards

Transactions

Managers and Coaches

Mets Staff

Birthplaces

Oldest Living Mets

Necrology

Games

Game Results

Walkoff Wins and Losses

Post-Season Games

No-Hitters and One-Hitters

All-Star Games

Opponents and Ballparks

Daily Standings

Yearly Finishes

Mayor's Trophy Games

Stats

Interactive Statistics

Team Leaders

Decade Leaders

Metscellaneous

Fan Memories

Mets Uniforms

Uniform Numbers

About Us

Contact us

FAQ