BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : WORLD SERIES : Back in Cleveland, Belle’s Mood Worsens

Several Cleveland Indians had vowed Monday to do what they could to irritate slumping Albert Belle because they believe he’s a better hitter when he’s angry, but Belle didn’t need much help getting mad Tuesday.

Hours before Game 3, a reporter said hello to Belle.

“Why the hell are you talking to me, you . . .” Belle snapped back.

Belle also lashed out at an ESPN camera crew and later paced in the Indian dugout during batting practice, ordering several television reporters to “get the . . . out of my dugout.”

NBC reporter Hannah Storm, who was in the dugout preparing for an interview with Cleveland center fielder Kenny Lofton, described Belle’s outburst as “a four-minute verbal tirade” within earshot of two 12-year-old ballboys.

Storm complained to Phyllis Merhige, vice president of administration and media affairs for the American League.

“I’m not justifying it, but what can we do? Really, what can we do?” Merhige said. “I feel sorry for him because he’s fighting the wrong people. And that’s his loss.”

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Atlanta closer Mark Wohlers grew up in Holyoke, Mass., so the chilly weather Tuesday night was nothing new. “I’ve pitched in 20-degree weather before,” he said.

Does the cold bother him?

“I could be sitting in Florida watching the World Series, so believe me, I’d rather be here playing in it, no matter what the weather is like.”

Ryan Klesko of the Braves went to Westminster High and isn’t exactly a veteran of cold-weather games.

“I went out and bought some long johns today,” he said.

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The Braves made their first appearance in Cleveland Tuesday since Oct. 10, 1948, when Warren Spahn--of the Boston Braves--beat Bob Feller of the Indians, 11-5, in the fifth game of the World Series.

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Former Indian Manager Pat Corrales, now the Braves’ first-base coach, was impressed by Jacobs Field.

“It’s a beautiful ballpark,” he said. “What a change from the old place. It doesn’t smell, and you can’t spit on the floor.”