Jeff Bagwell to officially announce his retirement

by anaconda on Dec 14, 2006 10:35 PM EST in New York Yankees News

HOUSTON (AP) -- Jeff Bagwell, the face of Houston baseball for a generation with teammate Craig Biggio, will retire Friday after 15 years with the team.

The four-time All Star will remain with the Astros as part of a personal-services agreement reached with the team earlier this week, according to a person familiar with the team's plan who requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.

Bagwell, the greatest power hitter in Houston Astros history, is expected to work with young Astros hitters, assisting in the front office and making appearances for the team.

The Astros have scheduled a Friday morning news conference to announce the retirement.

Bagwell, 38, leaves the Astros as the team's all-time leader in home runs (449), RBIs (1,529), walks (1,401) and extra-base hits (969). He had a lifetime batting average of .297.

Despite his unique and highly unorthodox batting stance, Bagwell displayed remarkable power at the plate, ranking among the top 15 players in home runs and RBIs throughout the 1990s. His 449 home runs leaves him three behind his childhood idol, Carl Yastrzemski.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Is he a HOFer?

Will Bagwell be caught in the steroid class and suffer the consequences. I don't recall anyone ever throwing him under the bus, but through the late 90s, he became a monster.

Regardless, are his numbers Hall worthy?

by Ronster22 on Dec 15, 2006 12:20 PM EST reply actions

I think he

is because he also had some speed, alot of RBI's, etc.

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on Dec 15, 2006 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Dominant

Hells yes to Bags. Forget 500 homers, 3,000 hits: he's a MUCH better choice than Raffy Palmiero.

Off the Facade
You say "sell-out," I say "opportunist."

by PinstripePowerhouse on Dec 15, 2006 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I don't even figure Palmeiro anymore. But I checked on Bagwell's stats, and he was quite the base-stealer--until the 'roids puffed him up too much. Regardless, no one ever threw him under the 'roids bus, so I say roll on to the hall!

by Ronster22 on Dec 18, 2006 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

The pic

Anaconda put up of Bagwell makes Bagwell look like one of the ugliest human beings of our lifetime.

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on Dec 15, 2006 3:29 PM EST reply actions

Off the Facade
You say "sell-out," I say "opportunist."

by PinstripePowerhouse on Dec 15, 2006 11:02 PM EST reply actions

Can I ask

I don't really understand what it means when a "personal services" relationship is mentioned. What does that mean? What does the guy do in that kind of relationship?

by Greenfuzz on Dec 16, 2006 2:48 PM EST reply actions