I begged the Red Sox not to trade you when you were in the minors with us. It was the sixth consecutive season he reached at least 30 HR and 100 RBI, making him the eighth player in MLB history to achieve such a streak, and the only Houston player to do so. Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell underwent surgery to remove bone spurs[58] and to reconstruct a partially torn labrum on October 26, 2001. [59] For the month of May, he batted .360 with .740 SLG, 10 HR, 31 RBI, scored 22 runs, and stole four bases. ", "Astros rewind: Jeff Bagwell wins NL Rookie of the Year award", "Baseball: Cleveland, scoring 15 more runs, makes A's look like the Indians", "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News", "Hall hopeful Bagwell content as family man: Astros great discusses life away from baseball, Wednesday's announcement", "Baseball: A title is diminished but the salary soars", "The greatest seasons in Astros history: Jeff Bagwell, 1994", "Baseball: Not simply statistics as Key has starter role", "National League roundup: Astros' Bagwell surpasses 100-RBI mark", "By every measure, Bagwell was a beacon of greatness in 1994: Stockpiling statistics aside, Bagwell kept a tidy clubhouse", "Astros' top 50 moments: 1994 strike ends promising season", "Tony Gwynn, Hall of Fame batting champion, dies at 54 of cancer", "Best individual seasons in Astros history? ", "Voting for Hall shouldn't be guessing who's guilty", "Jeff Bagwell's achievements often overlooked, but slugger deserves Hall of Fame induction", "Red Letter Day: Larkin elected to Hall of Fame", "Mike Piazza, Ken Griffey Jr. headline 2016 Hall of Fame class", "New Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Bagwell made impression in Hartford first", "Jeff Bagwell falls short of Hall of Fame; 'I'll wait my time,' he says", "Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia", "Will Jeff Bagwell, a deserving Hall of Famer, get his due? [103] After three failed attempts to advance past the first round of the playoffs earlier in Bagwell's career – all to the Braves (1997, 1999, and 2001) – and seven overall[104] in 43 years of franchise history, the Astros defeated the Braves for their first-ever playoff series win. Bagwell replied, "I'm going to try, but I'm not Babe Ruth." Maybe some members of the BBWAA need GIFs to help them make a no-brainer decision. You can't field the ball deep. [7] He led the NL in doubles with 48 while earning his second All-Star selection and finishing ninth in the MVP voting. Jeff Bagwell. Buy It Now for only: US $59.00. Just when you thought all the Hall of Fame talk was done until the ceremony in July, Frank Thomas goes and stirs everything up again. He is just one of 21 players in history to win both a Rookie of the Year Award and an MVP. Teams began taking advantage of his defensive increased weakness. [24], The Astros invited Bagwell to major league camp in spring training of 1991. [5], In addition to stealing over 200 bases in his career, Bagwell contributed significantly around the field as a whole. You have to get out in front of it." Or Leave."[58]. As the fourth unanimous NL MVP in history, he set the record for fewest plate appearances to reach both 100 runs scored and 100 runs batted in (RBIs), produced a .750 slugging percentage − the highest in the NL since 1925 − while batting a career-high .368. In June, his results started to improve as he batted .339 and followed up in July by driving in 31 runs. His response: "'Look, I'm tired of this Bagwell and Biggio s---,' I said. [21] Standing 6 feet tall (72 inches (180 cm)) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), he did not present the image of an imposing, home run-hitting giant that would cause pitchers to be very careful when he batted after he began his major league career. He joined Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson and Ted Williams as the fifth player in major league history to record 300 home runs, 1,000 RBI and 1,000 runs scored in his first ten seasons.[86]. In early 1989, Bagwell was honored by Xavier for his character and generosity. I've always voted for the best players—Bonds, McGwire, Clemens, etc.—so that's not a factor for me. Nine times he … [145] In 2016, he received his highest percentage of the vote to that time, 71.6%. Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and coach who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) playing career with the Houston Astros. [55] After the season, he commenced a rigorous training program that enabled him to gain 20 pounds and increased his endurance for the long season. [92][93] He was the NL Player of the Month that July after batting .333 with nine HR, and breaking his own club record with 36 RBI in a month, exceeding the 34 RBI in the previous August. Owner Drayton McLane and general manager Tim Purpura stated that he would remain in player development department of the Astros organization, as one of the assistants to the general manager. Stan Benjamin, who scouted the New England region for the Astros, recommended that they ask for Bagwell in return. By … [150] One of the most consistent players in history, he produced at least 4.7 WAR per season in each of his first 11 seasons, and no fewer than 3.7 in all except his final and 15th,[151] which was abruptly cut short by shoulder injury. Not only did the Red Sox lose Andersen to free agency after one month, but Naehring and Cooper were both out of baseball by 1997. His last official major league plate appearance was in the seventh inning of Game 4, when he pinch hit for pitcher Brandon Backe and grounded out. [184] Jeff was formerly married[3] first to model Shaune Bagwell (née Stauffer) in 1992,[1][185] and then to Ericka Bagwell, with whom he had his two daughters. He finished second in the league with both 43 home runs and 135 RBI − the RBI total was a career high − and was third in the MVP balloting. [135] At the end of the season, the team marginally improved, but was still last in the league in OBP (.303) and SLG (.362)[136] and Bagwell announced he would not return as hitting coach. JEFF BAGWELL Sixth Year on Ballot (55.7% last year) PLAYING CAREER: Houston Astros (1991-2005) ACHIEVEMENTS: Career batting average of .297. Yastrzemski, Bagwell's childhood hero, delivered a special message: "Congratulations, Jeff, on your number being retired. Two future Hall-of-Famers. Jeff Bagwell addressed several subjects, including some personal battles, during the hour-long podcast with former All-Star Russ Ortiz and Jesus Ortiz. Forming a core part of Astros lineups with Craig Biggio given the epithet "Killer B's", Houston finished in first or second place in the NL Central division in 11 of 12 seasons from 1994 to 2005. Get highlights, trending news and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. In June, he hit 13 home runs, establishing an Astros' franchise record for one month, while batting .394, 11 doubles, .455 OBP, .899 SLG, and 1.354 OPS. Both Bagwell and Ausmus hit 32 triples in their careers. [4] At Hartford, Denehy switched Bagwell to third base. First basemen approach fielding plays from their right side, which is opposite to playing third base. His pair of cleats from the 2000 season were turned in for display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The former Gold Glove winner was now subjugated into a defensive liability with severely restricted throwing ability, forcing him to "push" the ball instead of throwing it. [7], The Astros faced the Braves in the playoffs for the fourth time in Bagwell's career in the 2004 NLDS. [34] Bagwell also won his first Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and Player of the Year Awards from The Sporting News,[46] Associated Press,[47] Baseball Digest, and USA Today Baseball Weekly. We hear some highlights from his induction speech. [62], The 1,000th hit of Bagwell's career was a home run on May 20, 1997, off Calvin Maduro, one of his two that game, in a 9–5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Gordon pursued Andersen only after receiving assurances from MLB's player relations committee that Andersen would not be lost to the new-look free agency. [123] Bagwell disclosed that he was only in good enough condition to play every several days, rather than every day. Birthplace: Boston, MA. The Astros scored an NLDS-record 36 runs in all and Bagwell batted .318 with two home runs and five RBI. Having not previously played the position as a regular, Bagwell received a crash course, playing minor league games in the morning and Astros games in the afternoon until Opening Day. One was given to Bagwell and the other two were auctioned to raise funds on behalf of the Astros in Action Foundation. Precocious and demonstrating much athletic ability early in life, he played a wide variety of sports as a youth. End Date: Apr-17 13:26. [97] The Astros placed him on the disabled list a few days later and shoulder surgery followed. The Astros and the insurance company settled the claim in a confidential arrangement[124] the same day he announced his retirement. On September 30 at Chicago, Bagwell walked for his 100th of the season, thus making him the only player in MLB history to register six consecutive seasons of at least 30 HR, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 100 walks. [36] The Astros finished one-half game out of first place in the inaugural season of the National League Central division, a product of MLB's division realignment. [31] Of the power surge, commented Bagwell to hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, "That's awesome", to which he reacted, "Awesome? However, during those nine years, his production was nearly identical at home (.303 average/.421 OBP/.546 SLG) as it was on the road (.305 average/.412 OBP/.544 SLG). I always found Bagwell just a bit short of Hall of Fame material. Accounted Bagwell of the newfound advantage, "I didn’t hit many home runs in the minor leagues, but when I hit one, when I got backspin on it, it went a long way. Two strong players. A versatile athlete, he excelled at soccer, setting the school goal-scoring mark, played shortstop, and lettered in basketball. "[2], In January 2015, Bagwell reportedly sold his home in the Memorial neighborhood of Houston. "[133] Both Bagwell and Biggio received World Series rings from the Astros during the World Series ring ceremony before an April 3, 2018 game against the Baltimore Orioles. [109] Shortly after the 2005 season began, the chronic arthritic condition in his shoulder that had begun in 2001 finally sidelined him, rendering him inactive for three-quarters of the season. He excelled at every major aspect of the game, including hitting, on-base ability, running, defense, and throwing. The trade is now considered one of the most one-sided trades in baseball history;[13][14] in 2001, ESPN's readers named it the second-worst trade in sports history, behind only the Red Sox trading Ruth to the New York Yankees. Thus, the Astros raised their level of play, and a new string of playoff appearances followed. "His baseball card says he's six feet tall. It's pretty cool. [21], By the start of the 1996 season, Bagwell and Biggio had gained seniority – even if not necessarily by age – within the Astros clubhouse as well as status as superstars. [115], After having played 4,714 games and their entire major league careers together in Houston, Bagwell and Biggio appeared in their first World Series in 2005. Together, they bowed to the crowd as Bagwell raised Biggio's arm, and returned to the dugout. Rachel Bagwell and husband Jeff Bagwell, Image Source: chron.com. [58] In July, he batted .349 with six HR and 23 RBI. Five days later, also against Pittsburgh, he scored his 100th run, joining Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth as the only players in MLB history with six consecutive seasons of 30 homers, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored. I'm glad for that. By Ryan Dunsmore … [17] Bagwell had seen some time in the minors at first base, but he was blocked from that position by Mo Vaughn. [131] Two of Bagwell's closest friends and former teammates, Biggio and Brad Ausmus, spoke on his behalf. [43] His .750 SLG at the time ranked as the seventh-best ever[3] and was the highest by a National Leaguer since Rogers Hornsby in 1925 (.756). After his playing career, Jeff Bagwell has spent much of his time with his family while sporadically taking coaching and special assignment positions for the Astros. [97], For the first three months of the 2002 season, Bagwell labored greatly with throwing; he still had not fully recovered from the shoulder surgery of the previous offseason. Janice, a police officer, grew up in Newton and played softball in local Boston leagues until her 20s. Rumors had surfaced during the 1996 season that manager Terry Collins did not get along well with Bagwell and Biggio, largely contributing to his dismissal. [11], Late in the 1990 season, the Red Sox, who were in search of relief pitching to improve their chances of making the playoffs, contacted the Houston Astros about Larry Andersen. The longtime Astros first baseman thanked those who helped him earn the highest honor in professional baseball. Astros history to have his number retired ' all, end Hall steroid hormone allegedly. 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