It is invoked every day. The Derek Bell Watch is its name. Heading into tonight’s Mets-Phillies game at Shea, the 31-year-old Bell owns just 10 hits in his past 79 at-bats.
His average is down to .287. Before the funk began, Bell was hitting .360. Slumps begin at the plate, but end in the head.
“I think that is the whole problem,” batting coach Tom Robson said. “I think it becomes a mental thing.”
Bell needs to find his stroke in order to locate peace of mind. So far at the plate it’s been mostly all or nothing. But according to Robson, one of the ways to break out of a slump is to not dwell on the negative.
“You have to keep a guy positive like that,” Robson said. “If you let it drive you nuts, it will. He has been handling it pretty well.
So after the Mets’ 4-3 road trip in which he went 6-for-26 (.231), Bell returned to his boat and relaxed yesterday. He said he would look forward to hearing the crowd at Shea tonight.
“It’s coming,” a smiling Bell said. “It’s a marathon. I’m having fun when I’m going through it because I know I am separating my offense from my defense. I’m still being patient to get my walks for those guys behind me. So I’m having fun while I’m going through it because I know it is just a matter of time before I bust out.”
If Robson is right, Bell might just be ready to start hitting again. As Bell is quick to point out, he is still fielding well. Despite two misplays of Tino Martinez fly balls during the Yankee series, he has been a Gold Glove candidate this season.
Bell came out early for the Mets’ optional batting practice before Sunday’s win in Milwaukee. Bell, who didn’t play Sunday, worked on a remedy to restore his timing.
“I’m still letting the ball get up on me,” Bell said. “I’ve got to get out in front. That comes with the territory-a hitter like me who uses a leg kick to get everything going. As I said, it is just a matter of time before I bust out.”
If recent history is any indication, when Bell does bust out, he will do it in a big way.
Besides hitting the game-winning homer in the Shea opener, he started the season slowly – .138 in the first eight games – before the miracle video cure offered up by Robson and Bobby Valentine. They showed Bell he wasn’t getting his front foot in the air on time and was beginning his swing too late. It was the most “interesting” video this season outside of ones made at the Wharton School.
Following the screening of the tape from Bell’s .314, 22 homer, 108 RBI ’98, Bell’s name appeared in the box score seemingly every day with a couple knocks, one or two runs scored and with a few runs batted in. His average skyrocketed to .360, culminating with a game-winning single in the ninth of the Mets’ 7-6 victory over the Diamondbacks at Shea on May 21.
But since then the Mets have played 22 games and Bell has connected for only 10 hits.
“He’s just got to feel the timing up there, depending on how hard the guy is throwing, to get the bat where he needs to get it,” Robson said.
When Robson works with Bell he says he can’t sugar coat things. He must encourage his hitter, but he can’t coddle. He said that Bell will know when he has his timing back.
“You have to find that inner thing,” Robson said.
How do you find that inner thing?
“He has to find it,” Robson said.
Bell – who is making $5 million – is a free agent at the end of the season. He needs to find it soon, because not only is he not helping his team at the plate, he is losing a lot of money for himself.
“I know I’m going to be there for this team in July, August and September,” Bell said. “June is not over yet. I know that it is just a matter of time.”
