Bagwell makes it official

I think we all knew it was the end of the line for Jeff Bagwell. Now he has made it official.

"It's been a long journey, but it's been a great ride," Bagwell said. "It really has."

Bagwell's retirement has been expected since his badright shoulder forced him off the field during spring training earlier this year. He never played in the regular season, and the Astros didn't pick up his contract for 2007.

"I wish I could still play and try to win a World Series here in Houston but I'm not physically able to do that anymore," he said. "That being said, I'm OK with that. Most of you that know me know I had a tough time the last four or five years with my shoulder, which took a lot out of me on and off the field."

Bagwell will remain an integral part of the organization. He signed a personal services contract through the 2009 season in which he will work with the major league baseball operations staff and player development.

"For me personally, this is a sad day to see officially that Jeff is not going to be part of the Houston Astros playing first base and hitting home runs," Astros owner Drayton McLane said. "He's going to be continued to be involved with us. I think there's more great things to come with Jeff Bagwell and the Houston Astros."

Bagwell, 38, is a career .297 hitter with 449 home runs, 1,529 RBIs and 202 steals in 2,150 games. The 1991 National League Rookie of the Year and 1994 NL Most Valuable Player, he is the only first baseman and one of only 10 players to hit 400 homers and steal 200 bases.

At this point, there are really only two questions: When will Bagwell be enshrined at Cooperstown, and when will the Stros retire his number? I believe Bagwell has a very strong case for the Hall - I look forward to seeing Jay Jaffe's JAWS score for him - and he does well under traditional counting stats, too. His sabermetric case is helped by his fielding ability, his basestealing skill, and the fact that he played a big chunk of his career in a home stadium that killed offense, while his traditional case has his MVP award, his reputation as a good guy/clubhouse leader, and his good relationship with the local scribes. I can't see him not being inducted, frankly. I don't think he'll be a first-ballot induction, just because he's always been a bit below radar, but I don't think he'l; have to wait more than two or three years.

As for the Stros, I'm sure there'll be a Jeff Bagwell Day in 2007. It's just a matter of retiring his number then, or waiting till he goes to the Hall. Either way works for me.

Best wishes to Jeff Bagwell as he enters his new phase in life. David Pinto and PDiddie have more.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on December 16, 2006 to Baseball | TrackBack