The baseball world is mourning the loss of former Atlanta Braves outfielder Albert Hall. He was a dynamic speedster and a quiet trailblazer whose career bridged old-school hustle with modern excitement.
Hall, a Birmingham native, became a key figure in Braves lore by hitting for the cycle in 1987. He died Tuesday at age 67, leaving behind a legacy built on perseverance, speed, and one unforgettable night in Atlanta.
Remembering Albert Hall: From Birmingham Sandlots to the Big Leagues
Albert Hall’s journey began in Birmingham, Alabama. The city has a rich baseball tradition and deep ties to the game’s history.
He stood out at Jones Valley High School. Hall’s athletic gifts and blazing speed quickly put him on the radar of major league scouts.
The Atlanta Braves made their move in the 1977 MLB Draft, selecting Hall in the sixth round. It wasn’t a headline-grabbing pick, but it became a quietly significant addition to the organization.
From that moment, Hall started a 13-year professional career. He shined in both the minor and major leagues.
A Birmingham Farewell
Hall’s life will be honored in his hometown. His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST Monday at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum. The setting feels fitting for a player who never forgot where he came from and stayed a source of pride for local baseball fans.
Albert Hall’s Rise Through the Braves’ System
Like many players of his era, Hall had to grind his way through the minors before getting a real shot at the majors. What separated him was his elite speed and ability to affect a game on the bases.
Across 946 minor-league games, Hall posted a solid .282 batting average. But it was his work on the basepaths that truly stood out.
He stole an astounding 455 bases in the minors. Those numbers would make any organization take notice.
100 Steals in a Season: A Durham Bulls Dynamo
One season in particular remains synonymous with Hall’s name: 1980 with the Durham Bulls. That year, Hall stole 100 bases, a milestone that showed just how disruptive and dangerous he was on the bases.
In an era before stolen bases began to decline league-wide, Hall was the embodiment of the classic leadoff threat. He was a nightmare for opposing pitchers and catchers.
Breaking Through with the Atlanta Braves
Hall finally got the call to the majors on Sept. 12, 1981, making his MLB debut with the Braves. Over the next several seasons, from 1981–88, he appeared in 375 games for Atlanta.
He carved out a role as a versatile, speedy outfielder. His overall MLB numbers tell the story of a player who maximized his opportunities: a .251 batting average, .328 on-base percentage, and .335 slugging percentage.
He tallied 202 hits, 67 stolen bases, and 125 runs scored. Hall wasn’t a star in the traditional sense, but he was the kind of player winning teams need.
He could change the game with one swing, one sprint, or one smart read on a pitch in the dirt. That’s the sort of player you want on your side, right?
1987: Albert Hall’s Breakout Year
Hall’s best big-league season came in 1987. In just 92 games, he hit .284 and swiped 33 bases.
He showcased both improved offensive consistency and his trademark aggression on the bases. That season would also produce the signature moment of his career.
The Night Albert Hall Made Braves History
On Sept. 23, 1987, in a 5–4 win over the Houston Astros, Albert Hall did something no player had ever done in an Atlanta Braves uniform. He hit for the cycle.
In one spectacular game, Hall delivered a single, double, triple, and home run. He achieved one of baseball’s rarest feats.
Even more fitting, he didn’t just fill up the box score — he decided the outcome. Hall scored the winning run on a wild pitch, a play that summed up his game: aggressive, opportunistic, and always in motion.
The First in Atlanta, Ending a 77-Year Drought
Hall’s cycle was more than a personal milestone. He became the first player ever to hit for the cycle in an Atlanta Braves uniform.
The franchise hadn’t seen a cycle since 1910, when the team was still in its earlier incarnation. That 77-year gap gives you an idea of how rare and special the performance was.
The Final Chapter: Pittsburgh and Beyond
After his years in Atlanta, Hall closed out his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He showed up in 20 games in 1989.
That season marked the end of a professional run that started way back in 1977. More than a decade, all told—steady, gritty, and full of hard-earned moments in the game.
From Birmingham high school standout to minor-league speedster to making history as a Brave, Albert Hall’s story is all about persistence and making an impact. Maybe he never became a household name everywhere, but in Atlanta, in Birmingham, and among folks who appreciate speed and hustle, his legacy feels solid.
Here is the source article for this story: Former Alabama prep star, Atlanta Braves outfielder dead at age 67
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