Albert arrested again

Albert, what’s going on? This is totally out of character:

Albert Belle was arrested on a new stalking charge for allegedly making phone calls to a woman he already was charged with harassing.

The 39-year-old former baseball star was arrested by Scottsdale, Ariz., police at his home Wednesday after they investigated new allegations that he made calls to his ex-girlfriend, Sgt. Mark Clark said. Belle is set for a court appearance Thursday in Scottsdale.

Belle was awaiting trial on a felony stalking charge filed in February. The police probable cause statement in that case said his former girlfriend discovered a GPS device that had fallen off her car in January, and that he had threatened her. He was released on bail, subject to electronic monitoring and ordered not to contact her.

Last month, the former girlfriend called police and said she was receiving hang-up phone calls, Clark said. Detectives began an investigation and checked phone records, which showed the calls were coming from Belle. Last week, Belle called and spoke with the woman.

Sure, Belle was involved in a few controversial incidents as a player. In 1986, he went after a heckler in the stands who was shouting racist insults at him, and was suspended while his team played in the College World Series. As a major leaguer he threw a baseball into the stands, striking a fan who had been taunting him about his alcohol rehab. He was suspended in 1994 for using a corked bat. He was fined in 1996 for knocking down Brewers infielder Fernando Viña, who had blocked his way on the basepaths. Then there was the time that he chased down a group of trick-or-treaters who egged his home, bumping one with his car.

But stalking his ex-girlfriend? I didn’t see that coming.