‘Cool Papa’ Bell Swindled of Diamond Memorabilia

Two con men swindled Baseball Hall of Famer James (Cool Papa) Bell out of baseball memorabilia valued at a quarter of a million dollars, according to a newspaper.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said today in a copyright story that the men, using a combination of slick talk and intimidation, hauled away uniforms, gloves, balls, bats, photographs and other items from steamer trunks belonging to Bell, 86.

Authorities said the men made four trips last month to Bell’s home on the street that bears his name--”Cool Papa Bell Avenue”--in north St. Louis. Bell takes heart medication and is blind in one eye because of glaucoma and said he was not up to resisting.

Authorities believe that one of the men deals in baseball memorabilia in Pennsylvania. None of Bell’s property has been recovered and no charges have been filed, but police said charges are expected against at least one man from New Castle, Pa.

Bell played 27 seasons in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Police said the two men first visited Bell about March 22, saying they were involved in baseball memorabilia. Bell gave the men some baseballs and photographs free and signed several bats and other items.

On the fourth visit, March 25, the men removed several items from steamer trunks without the Bells’ permission, police said. The Bells said they were afraid of the men, police said.

“They took whatever they wanted,” Bell said Thursday. “There was no way we could stop them.”

The Bells also said the men had Bell sign a letter authorizing delivery of two dozen Louisville Slugger bats with Bell’s signature to one of the men in Pennsylvania.

Police and the FBI got involved in the case after the Bells spoke to their daughter in New York.

“Our daughter doesn’t like the way people try to take advantage of (Bell) for autographs,” Clarabelle Bell said. “She’s instructed us to get paid for autographs because (Bell) will just sit there and keep giving them away free.”