Pittsburgh Pirates Josh Bell Was Historically Good In The Month Of May

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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An outstanding month of May wound up being a historic one for Pittsburgh Pirates star Josh Bell

There are good months, and then there is what Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell did in the month of May. This past month Bell put together not just one of the best months in Pirate history, but one of the best months in baseball history. It was truly a historic month for the Pirate first baseman.

Two months into the 2019 season Bell has 18 home runs, 20 doubles, and a pair of triples. His 20 doubles and 40 extra base hits are both the most in baseball through the month of May. A lot of this damage came in May.

During the month, Bell slashed .390/.442/.797, all of which were career bests for a single month. His ISO was a ridiculous .407, and he posted a .501 wOBA and a wRC+ of 218.

In May, Bell hit 12 doubles and 12 home runs. This made him just the third player in National League history to hit at least 12 doubles and 12 home runs in the same month. The other two players? Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson who both did it in July 1961. That’s pretty good company, folks.

To cap the month off Bell went 2-for-4 at the plate in Friday night’s victory over the Brewers. These two hits gave him 94 total bases for the month of May. This broke the franchise record for total bases in a single month. The previous record of 92 was held by one of the best hitters in baseball history – Ralph Kiner.

Bell’s 24 extra base hits for May tied a franchise record. By collecting 24 extra base hits, Bell tied the franchise single month record for extra base hits. Once again, this put him in the same sentence as a Hall of Fame player. This time the player is “Big Poison” Paul Waner.

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Without a doubt, Bell should win the National League Player of the Month Award for the month of May. His start to the season should lead to more hardware for the slugger. On top of being a shoe in for the All-Star Game, he is the big leader for the Silver Slugger Award at first base. He has also solidified himself as a legitimate NL MVP candidate.