Bagwell likely to retire after 2006

[dylan]

Not a real big shocker considering he's already 35 and his arm ain't in the best of shape. It does bode well if you (like me) would like to see Bagwell retire as a Stro.

link. (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0616/1569004.html)

[ron413]

I would like to trade him now, to Boston.

[Lil Francis]

I don't see him lasting that long. Maybe if he can go back to the American league and DH.

[RIET]

Originally posted by ron413
I would like to trade him now, to Boston.

Maybe we can get Larry Anderson back.

[rocketfan83]

Not surprising, hopefully Hunsiker will do everything possible to give Bags a shot at the series, if not than I hope we trade him to the Yankees.

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by rocketfan83
Not surprising, hopefully Hunsiker will do everything possible to give Bags a shot at the series, if not than I hope we trade him to the Yankees.


The Yanks are already paying Jason Giambi Gazillion dollars to play 1st base.

[Mr. Mooch]

Originally posted by Fegwu
The Yanks are already paying Jason Giambi Gazillion dollars to play 1st base.

REEEEEEAAAADDDD:

Originally posted by Lil Francis
Maybe if he can go back to the American league and DH.

[Aceshigh7]

It's gonna be so weird without Bagwell. I will be very sorry to see him gone. In my opinion even now he is still the best 1st baseman in the league.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

I think that is coming out of context. Although probably true. I think they asked him if he would ever be a red sock after his contract was up. That was his answer. So it could be a self defense answer. If he's close to 500 homers I suspect he may go for it. That would be a tough thing to turn down.

[Buck Turgidson]

I would like to trade him now, to Boston.

I don't see him lasting that long.

than I hope we trade him to the Yankees.

Morons. Bandwagon jumping, slack-jawed morons.

May god have mercy on your soul(s).

[Summer Song Giver]

If Jeff wanted to go to a AL team like the Yanks then I would be for it otherwise I would not want to submit a player with diminishing skills who has been the greatest Astro ever to the relentless spotlight of the NY media, I just don't think they are worthy and it would piss me off to hear them rag him when they never got to see how good he really was.

[No Worries]

I would be more interested in Bagwell's opinion come 2005. I would be suprised that if he is still going strong in 2006 he would retire.

[Mr. Clutch]

Why is he talking about it now? It's too early! I hope he just mentioned it in passing and it wasn't because of the shoulder.

I still think he has a lot left.

[Groogrux]

I hope we all realize how lucky we've been as Astros' fans. How many fans in this era can say that they've had one superstar stay with the same team for their entire career, much less two?

I've been on Bagwell's case more than anyone this year, but I'm truly gonna miss him when he's gone.

[Ric]

Originally posted by Rocketman95
I hope we all realize how lucky we've been as Astros' fans.
best NL first baseman of all-time.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by Ric
best NL first baseman of all-time.

Let us not get ahead of ourselves

Willie McCovey, Jimmie Foxx, Tony Perez (maybe)

[bobrek]

Originally posted by pgabriel
Let us not get ahead of ourselves

Willie McCovey, Jimmie Foxx, Tony Perez (maybe)

Foxx was an AL'er for the vast majority of his career. Bagwell is on course to statistically outperform every NL first baseman.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

I think it will be Bagwell and Lou for top honors. If Baggy played 5 years he could probably surpass everything Lou did except for the titles. 3 more years would probably put him slightly underneath Gehrig statistically. It is hard to believe that Baggy could very well be the best first baseman ever. But yeah, he's right there and he's still tickin. Check out Lou's playoff stats. Even Lou Gherig's averaged dipped dramatically in playoffs.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by PhiSlammaJamma
I think it will be Bagwell and Lou for top honors. If Baggy played 5 years he could probably surpass everything Lou did except for the titles. 3 more years would probably put him slightly underneath Gehrig statistically. It is hard to believe that Baggy could very well be the best first baseman ever. But yeah, he's right there and he's still tickin. Check out Lou's playoff stats. Even Lou Gherig's averaged dipped dramatically in playoffs.

Bagwell may or may not get to 500 home runs but its likely, he will not reach Gherig's RBI totals unless he plays beyond 2006 IMO. But he is definitly in the top 5. PhiSlammaJamma, he definitly won't catch McGuire in homeruns.

bobrek, you are right about Jimmie Foxx, but its still to early to say he'll be the best in the national league, but its a two man race.

[Puedlfor]

It's never too early to reserve your seats for the 2011 Induction Ceremony of the second best first baseman of all time, into the Hall of Fame.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Of the guys going in next, it seems like Clemens, Ripken, Henderson, Bonds, and Bagwell will be the most significant inductions. I think I'd be more than happy to see any of those inductions, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go. If I happen to be near town I might pop in. Although Bonds is going to be considered one of the greatest player ever by sheer numbers. And our kids will be talking about him one day like he's a legend. Hard to imagine.

[Behad]

Originally posted by PhiSlammaJamma
Although Bonds is going to be considered one of the greatest player ever by sheer numbers. And our kids will be talking about him one day like he's a legend. Hard to imagine.

Just imagine how he would be revered if he wasn't an arrogant bastard.

[MadMirror]

Just caught on 610 that Jeff said he was taken out of context. I don't remember verbatim but he said what he meant was that he'd probably play out his current contract before deciding what to do next in his career.

Chalk this one up to overeager journalists trying to get a scoop.

[rrj_gamz]

This was on BB 2Night and Gamons said he was done...Although, it was probably blown out of proportion, but with his arm, I hope he can last...

I think he is one of the best 1st baseman ever...Who's up to replace him???

[Summer Song Giver]

Originally posted by rrj_gamz
This was on BB 2Night and Gamons said he was done...Although, it was probably blown out of proportion, but with his arm, I hope he can last...

I think he is one of the best 1st baseman ever...Who's up to replace him???

What do you mean by done?

Berkman could always go back to first and we could bring up lane to replace him in the outfield.

[arkoe]

Originally posted by MadMirror
Just caught on 610 that Jeff said he was taken out of context. I don't remember verbatim but he said what he meant was that he'd probably play out his current contract before deciding what to do next in his career.

From today's Chronicle:

Astros summary

From the source

Jeff Bagwell was surrounded by cameras and forced to address a topic that in his mind was a non-story. On Monday, a small Connecticut newspaper reported that he would retire after his contract expires in 2006. After returning to Boston, Bagwell innocently said "this is it" while pointing to his jersey when asked if he'd want to stay longer to play a year with his hometown Red Sox.

Bagwell made it pretty clear that he was speaking about wanting to finish his career with his Astros "whether they want me back or not," he said at the time with a smile.

In response to the Middletown Press report, Bagwell tried to clarify his stance.

"That's why I'm laughing at this. I think this is kind of funny," Bagwell said. "They said, `How much longer do you want to play?' I said I have three more years left after this one. That's where I am at this particular time.' I wasn't announcing my farewell tour in the 2006 season. ...

"I'll make that decision at that particular time, whether I want to play any more. At this point, (finishing this contract) is my goal."

Link (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/1957097)

How come the media always has to exaggerate the story?

[ron413]

Trade him right now for Pedro while he is getting all this hype. Let Morgan Ensberg play first...

[bobrek]

Originally posted by ron413
Trade him right now for Pedro while he is getting all this hype. Let Morgan Ensberg play first...

And you think Ensberg is defensively capable of playing first base because....????

[ron413]

Because he knows how to catch a baseball. Oh, and he does not have a limp arm! Playing first is easier than almost any position out there!

[arkoe]

Why not leave Ensburg at third and put Berkman back at his natural position, as SSG suggested? Or even better yet, how about we keep him.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by ron413
Trade him right now for Pedro while he is getting all this hype. Let Morgan Ensberg play first...

what hype??

[ron413]

Originally posted by MadMax
what hype??

What what?

[MadMax]

Originally posted by ron413
What what?

you said "he is getting all this hype." who is getting "all this hype?" and what hype do you mean?

[ron413]

Originally posted by MadMax
you said "he is getting all this hype." who is getting "all this hype?" and what hype do you mean?

He meaning the person being discussed in this thread at length "BAGS", by hype I mean media attention. Boston would take him back in a heartbeat, maybe not for Pedro but its worth a try.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by ron413
He meaning the person being discussed in this thread at length "BAGS", by hype I mean media attention. Boston would take him back in a heartbeat, maybe not for Pedro but its worth a try.

that's what i thought you meant...you meant hype during the time he was up in boston, i suppose?

the bagwell to boston thing hasn't really been substantively discussed since 2000/2001. he was quoted in the boston globe saying how he wouldn't feel right playing for anyone but the astros...that he thought going to another team to win a title would be a cheap way out...that he wants to win a title here.

he'll come back around..he always does. this slump isn't permanent.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by ron413
Because he knows how to catch a baseball. Oh, and he does not have a limp arm! Playing first is easier than almost any position out there!

It is a common misconception that 1st base is easy to play (I do realize that is NOT what you said). Bagwell is a tremendous glove man and, yes, his arm is very poor right now. Just because Ensberg can "catch a baseball" does not mean he can play first. It is an entirely different position requiring unique skills. The Astros would be weakened defensively if anyone in their organization other than Bagwell played first base for them at this time. He may have a problem throwing but he gets to more balls than almost any first baseman in the major leagues.

[W Texas Rocket]

what is wrong with him retiring now?

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Each position is different, but I've often felt that in baseball the transition from one postion to another doesn't take that long and provides you with moderate success. The player is not going to be a gold glove, But capable. Maybe costing a team 2 or 3 games for a few years.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by bobrek
It is a common misconception that 1st base is easy to play (I do realize that is NOT what you said). Bagwell is a tremendous glove man and, yes, his arm is very poor right now. Just because Ensberg can "catch a baseball" does not mean he can play first. It is an entirely different position requiring unique skills.

I think any third basemen can play first. Daryle Ward played first, I know most third basemen can.

[Behad]

As the father of a first baseman, let me say that it really is not a tough position to learn. Once you get the footwork and positioning down, the hardest part is handling the bad throws, esp. throws in the dirt. There is not as much ground to cover, and not as many balls hit to you. I'd rather play first base than any other position.

I usually throw my son about 30 low throws in the dirt (10 from 2nd, 10 from short, and 10 from 3rd) about 3-4 times a week during spring training, and 1-2 a week during the season. Beyond that, the rest is easy.

[Refman]

Originally posted by Behad
the hardest part is handling the bad throws, esp. throws in the dirt.
That is what has made Bags so damned good defensively. He has saved us from a LOT of errors.

[DVauthrin]

Originally posted by ron413
Trade him right now for Pedro while he is getting all this hype. Let Morgan Ensberg play first...

First of all, the Red Sox would laugh and hang up the phone if you ever offered that trade.

Secondly, you really have something against Bagwell don't you?

He is one of the best 1b of all time and you show no loyalty, even when he is still a productive player and an icon for the team and the city of Houston.

I for one want him to retire an Astro. There is something really special about great players spending their careers all with one team that was around 40-50 years ago.

How long have you been watching baseball, this year alone?

Because your lack of appreciation of Jeff's tenure in houston is appaling.

Do you see people talking about gehrig, or JoeD, or Ruth, or Mantle in anything but Yankee uniforms.

That is the way Jeff Bagwell deserves to be treated, as does Craig Biggio. They are the current Astros.

Bar none.

[arkoe]

Originally posted by DVauthrin
Because your lack of appreciation of Jeff's tenure in houston is appaling.

Do you see people talking about gehrig, or JoeD, or Ruth, or Mantle in anything but Yankee uniforms.

That is the way Jeff Bagwell deserves to be treated, as does Craig Biggio. They are the current Astros.

Bar none.

Very well said. I find it wrong to even consider trading Bagwell or Biggio. Both have been with the team through the good and the bad, and remained loyal when they could have left, possibly for better money. For me, to think of either of them ever wearing another hat is disgraceful.