Ex-Padres Closer Heath Bell Pledges to Throw a Party if He Gets Even One Hall of Fame Vote

Former San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell was one of the most reliable closers of the late 2000s, but he is by no means a Hall of Fame pitcher...and he knows it.

He's not insane, after all.

In an interview on SiriusXM, the 11-year MLB veteran who overcame impossible odds to even make it to the majors claims he will throw a party if just one writer puts him on their ballot.

Bell turned out to be a pretty nice selection for a 69th-round draft pick (a round that does not exist, at this juncture). After breaking through with the Mets in 2004, Bell made his name in San Diego. He piled up 40 or more saves in three straight seasons, never posting an ERA higher than 2.71 in that span while making three All-Star teams.

Bell fizzled when he became one of the many big moves of the inaugural Miami Marlins season, and played for a year in both Arizona and Tampa Bay before retiring in 2014.

Bell had an excellent career, especially considering how he basically had to will himself to success, but he'll be the first to tell you he isn't worthy of Cooperstown. Maybe one San Diego-based writer will take pity on Bell and throw him a bone, capping off what was a pretty unique journey through the big leagues.