Heath Bell

Heath Bell
Bell with the San Diego Padres
Pitcher
Born: (1977-09-29) September 29, 1977 (age 39) Oceanside, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 24, 2004, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
May 3, 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	38–32
Earned run average	3.49
Strikeouts	637
Saves	168
Teams
New York Mets (2004–2006) San Diego Padres (2007–2011) Miami Marlins (2012) Arizona Diamondbacks (2013) Tampa Bay Rays (2014)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (2009–2011) 2× NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (2009, 2010) Delivery Man of the Year (2010) NL saves leader (2009)

Heath Justin Bell (born September 29, 1977) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. As a closer with the San Diego Padres from 2009 to 2011, Bell was a three-time All-Star and twice won the Rolaids Relief Man Award. He was also awarded the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award and The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award.

Bell played multiple sports, including baseball, in high school. He moved on to community college, where he was an All-American. He began his professional career with the New York Mets, making his major league debut in 2004, and spending three seasons at both the minor and major league levels. In 2007, he was traded to San Diego, where he was a setup man before replacing Trevor Hoffman as the Padres' closer. From 2010 through 2011, Bell successfully converted 41 straight save opportunities, which tied Hoffman's team record. A free agent after the 2011 season, he signed with the Miami Marlins, and later played with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays. He retired before the 2015 season.

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.