Rays/MLB

Ex-King star Bell hit by drug charge

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published April 21, 2006

TAMPA - Derek Bell, a King High alumnus who played 11 seasons in the major leagues, has been accused of cocaine possession, according to Tampa police.

Bell, 37, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to an arrest report.

He was arrested just after 3 a.m. in East Tampa near 19th Street and Shadowlawn Avenue after he was pulled over for a traffic violation. Police asked to search his vehicle, and he agreed. Inside, they found a pipe used for cocaine, police spokesman Larry McKinnon said.

"The pipe was still warm," he said.

Bell told police the pipe was his, McKinnon said.

He was taken to the Hillsborough County jail and was later released after posting $2,500 bail, according to an arrest report.

Bell grew up in Tampa and was a baseball star at King. He was drafted in the second round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987 and reached the majors in 1991. After two years with the Blue Jays and two with the San Diego Padres, Bell joined the Houston Astros in 1995.

He was a member of the "Killer B's" in Houston, teaming with Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio to lead the Astros to the postseason from 1997-99. He batted a career-best .334, fourth in the NL, in 1995 and hit .314 with career highs of 41 doubles, 22 homers and 111 runs in 1998.

He played for the New York Mets in 2000 and ended his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001.

"Derek maybe would say some things he shouldn't have at times because he was young, but he was never in trouble with drugs or alcohol; I always said that he did that right," longtime King coach Jim Macaluso said Thursday night.

Macaluso, who said he plans to try to contact Bell, said he's hopeful things will work out for his former star.

"He's been good to me. He's been good to the school, buying batting cages and things like that," he said. "He's been a good guy."

On his arrest report, Bell listed his occupation as "retired." He now lives in Wesley Chapel.

Times staff writer Brian Landman contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 21, 2006, 01:42:18]