Albert Belle made a fashion statement yesterday. Even before he fitted himself with an Orioles cap, Charm City's $65 million slugger arrived wearing a suit and a smile.

Pledging a new and improved attitude to go along with his unwavering consistency, Belle signed a franchise-record five-year deal that anoints him as the club's present and its future. The two sides had better like each other: The contract includes a no-trade clause.

The Orioles gained more than a left fielder and cleanup hitter. They have committed themselves to their most controversial figure since bringing Reggie Jackson to town in 1976. They also have landed a player whose production and presence cannot be disputed.

Belle's presence was important enough for the Orioles to shatter a financial ceiling that had never awarded any player an average of $7 million a season. Belle signed for $13 million a season, tying the New York Mets' Mike Piazza for baseball's third-highest annual average salary.

Belle was greeted at the B&O; warehouse by third baseman Cal Ripken, who chose not to face reporters. Belle inherited the major-league lead for consecutive games played (now at 334) after Ripken benched himself Sept. 20, but he did not inherit Ripken's No. 8, which the outfielder wore with the Chicago White Sox. Instead, Belle will wear No. 88.

"There's an old saying back in Louisiana that two eights are better than one, so I got the two eights," quipped Belle, a Shreveport, La., native.

For now, Belle, 32, stands almost naked within a lineup that has lost free agents Rafael Palmeiro, Eric Davis and Roberto Alomar. A fourth position player, left fielder B. J. Surhoff, visited with the New York Mets yesterday but didn't receive an improvement over their previous three-year, $13.5 million bid. The Orioles have offered the same terms plus a vesting option for a fourth year.

Ripken, who contributed 61 RBIs last season, is the Orioles' most productive returnee, and the loss of Palmeiro to the Texas Rangers only hours after Belle's news conference left the Orioles no stronger than before.

Wren conceded yesterday that 1999 now looks like a "transition" season.

Signing Belle also represents an abrupt change in the club's financial philosophy. Previously opposed to awarding any player a $10 million salary, owner Peter Angelos no longer fights the industry's fiscal riptide.

The Orioles also have offered free-agent pitcher Kevin Brown more than $10 million per season and are projecting a payroll of at least $75 million for 1999, not including deferred money.

"When you look at the division, we play with the Yankees and Boston," Wren said. "You are talking about three big-market ballclubs and talking about trying to compete in that division. I think we have to do exactly that, compete."

Belle insisted his decision had nothing to do with money and everything to do with an opportunity to win. Wren said the club's seismic financial move was a "no-brainer." However, events leading up to yesterday's announcement suggested a far more pragmatic motivation than either party let on.

An initial inquiry three weeks ago from Belle's agent, Arn Tellem, received only a tepid response from Wren because the Orioles were immersed in the pursuit of less-expensive, less-controversial outfielder Brian Jordan. Within hours of Jordan's decision to sign a five-year, $40 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, Wren revived discussions with Tellem.

The Orioles quickly offered Belle the $65 million deal, which dwarfed pitcher Scott Erickson's previous club-record $32 million contract signed last May.

Tellem and Wren said yesterday that Belle ignored a more lucrative offer -- believed to be from the Boston Red Sox -- to focus on the Orioles. Tellem acknowledged that Belle was uncomfortable with the greater "scrutiny" he would have received in the other market. However, while the parties haggled for several days over a no-trade clause, Belle attempted to have the White Sox match the Orioles' offer.

Belle sidestepped the issue yesterday, but he reportedly spoke several times with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Ron Schueler during the past week, including a last-ditch call Monday.

The Orioles finally struck the agreement late Monday night when they agreed to a no-trade provision that ensures Belle will remain in Baltimore through 2003. At least $2 million of Belle's annual salary will be deferred at no interest.

Belle appeared relaxed during the 40-minute news conference, even when addressing repeated questions over a past that includes assault charges, gambling losses, a corked bat and poor relations with media and fans.

Pressed about what his relationship with Orioles' fans will be, Belle didn't promise to embrace Baseball City. He did suggest a more positive situation than his traumatic tenure with the Cleveland Indians.

"I think over the last couple years I've made great strides in my approach with the fans. The fans are a vital part of the game and I realize that," Belle said. "Before I was pretty selfish where I didn't want to take time to do anything with the fans, but [now] I enjoy being interactive with the fans.

Wren and manager Ray Miller rightly described Belle as the league's most prolific and most intimidating offensive player. During the past eight seasons, he leads the major leagues in home runs (313), RBIs (979) and extra-base hits (636).

Last season Belle produced a career-high 200 hits, a .328 average, 152 RBIs and 113 runs and led the American League in slugging percentage (.655).

Perhaps most persuasive to Miller is Belle's reputation for possessing uncompromising drive.

"I have seen [Belle] absolutely intimidate young pitchers just by standing there making eye-to-eye contact," Miller said. "I would like to see more of that on this club."

Power streak

Albert Belle is among three active players who've had seven consecutive 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons in their careers:

Player .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Years

Albert Belle .. .. .. .. .. 1992-98

Barry Bonds .. .. .. .. ... 1992-98

Fred McGriff .. .. .. .. .. 1988-94

Pub Date: 12/02/98