July 9, 2009
Former Don Heath Bell Selected to All-Star Game

SANTA ANA, CA - In just his sixth season in the majors, former Santa Ana College pitcher Heath Bell has been selected to the National League squad for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This year's game will be played in St. Louis on Tuesday, July 14 at 5 p.m.

Bell currently leads the National League with 23 saves in just 24 opportunities. He trails only Brian Fuentes of the Los Angeles Angels who has 24 saves to lead all of MLB.

After spending three seasons with the Mets, Bell joined the Padres as a set-up man for the all-time leader in saves, Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman left the Padres in the off-season to pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers allowing Bell to move in to the closer's role where he has flourished. Along with his 23 saves, Bell is 3-1 with a 1.49 ERA in 36.1 innings pitched this season.

Bell was drafted out of Santa Ana College in 1998 by the New York Mets, the same team he made his Major League debut with in 2004. In two seasons with the Dons, Bell set the SAC career record for saves with 12.

In his freshman campaign, Bell set records for most games (27), fewest runs allowed (20) and fewest walks allowed (4). He also set the career record for fewest walks allowed (23). Bell still holds these records except for career saves which was broken by Kris Medlen in 2006 (16).