I say he's up there with the big boys: Tuesday August 22 6:09 PM ET AP Corrects Story on Astros' Bagwell HOUSTON (AP) - In a story Aug. 20, The Associated Press erroneously indicated that Houston's Jeff Bagwell had become only the fourth player in major league history to reach at least 300 home runs, 1,000 runs scored and 1,000 RBIs. In fact, Bagwell's accomplishment was to achieve that milestone in his first 10 years in the majors, and he is the fifth player, not the fourth, to do so. The other four are Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron and Ted Williams. Many other players have compiled such statistics during their entire careers. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Too bad he can't do it when it counts . No...good for Jeff. He doesn't care about such stuff...only winning. He is one of the best. I used to think that was Glenn Davis back in the day. Jeff has made a chump out of Glenn. Still...even Jeff is afraid of his own batting stance on occassion. It's an awkward stance when it doesn't work and he slumps but it's sweet when it does work. ------------------
Add another "dong" to that total. He hit a 2 run shot about 30 minutes ago bringing his total for the year to 39. I'd say he's pretty good. ------------------ Don't you have anything better to do?
Yep surf, I used to think Glen Davis was awesome, Bags puts him to shame. If Bags played in New York, can you imagine the hype he would be getting. They would be calling him Lou Gehrig jr. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Bob, Don't think that discussion hasn't been broached within the Yankee ranks. Brian Cashman loves Jeff Bagwell. ------------------
thought we were talking about the wrestler puff or buff whatever his name is he is quite good though. ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
Ohhhh, Bagwell a Yankee...AWESOME! Sorry, I was a Yankee's fan WAY before I was an Astros fan. ------------------ Don't you have anything better to do?
RP, No need to apologize. It won't happen though (this year). It's just been talked about in the papers when the Yankees were looking for some power. The Yanks are locked in for another run at the pennant. ------------------
Which brings me to the question of... How much of a lock is Bagwell to make the Hall of Fame? I think he is an outstanding player. But some things to look at are 1. He currently has less than 300 Homeruns for the career. And that isnt going to get him in based on Homerun prowess alone 2. Is a lifetime .304 hitter. Which in todays game is a fine average, but doesnt crack top 20 in any individual year. 3. In this days of outragous RBI totals, He has yet to put up more than what is it 125? 4. Is a fairly decent fielder maybe solid if anything. 5. Has absolutely choked in the big games. In these days of 50 homer/150 rbis/.340-.390 averages and all does Bagwell qualify as a lock? Now dont anyone bug me with me angry responses. Im not saying he doesnt. The fact that he played in the cavernous Dome for the first 10 years of his career probably isnt going to be noticed either. I keep hearing that the standards are going to get real stringent for the players of today making it into the hall based on numbers. I mean it was only 15 years ago that 35 dongs could lead both leagues. And by the GODS IN HEAVEN its about time the Stros put some stick on Kerry Woods pitches. ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink [This message has been edited by Dreamshake (edited August 22, 2000).]
I think the stats are saying few have done it as consistently as Bagwell in such a short amount of time. Sure...the playoffs wouldn't be a good way to look at Bagwell...what is he batting in them? .175 avg? He's not exactly a gold glover, either. Plus, his career is nowhere close to being over so it's a little early to speculate. If he stays on this pace, then I think it is a lock...no question. Also, Bags is over the 300 homerun mark for his career. It happened not so long ago. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Surfguy (edited August 22, 2000).]
Bagwell is a lock for the hall of fame. He may end up being the greatest 1b ever to play the game. His stats are unreal. He was an MVP. He the most feared hitter in in both leagues. what more do you want? ------------------ humble, but hungry.
bagwells performance when it counts to me doesnt make him as great... all the sudden he's blowing up this year(lately i mean) when it doesnt count...its almost like he is trying to pad his stats..you can use the excuse of his percentage with runners in scoring position or whatever..but what about when it counts? remember the playoffs?what is his batting average in crucial games...actually what are his post season stats for the career?maybe ill shut up then.. to me(just my opinion dont jump my sh*t) but he is the same as a garbage time scorer in the nba...yeah okay a home run in a 15 to 4 game against the phillies in the 8th against their AA pitcher just called up..wow... ------------------ i am rather like a mosquito in a nudist camp..i know what i ought to do but i don't know where to begin...
Interesting evaluation but a bit wrong. Would you consider Barry Bonds a hall-of-fame clutch player? Mr. Bonds has never been a big-time playoff performer. What about Mr. Carl Everitt. His performance was not very much better than Bags. The playoffs for Astros have been a team collapse the last 3 years. The Astros as a team have had great offensive numbers all year but their pitching has been horrible. Last time I checked, Bags does not pitch. the following stats should show the truth: Team rankings- HITTING Batting Average-5th place Home Runs-1st Runs scored-3rd Slugging %-2nd RBIs-3rd PITCHING ERA - 16th place Runs Allowed - 16th Hits Allowed - 15th Home Runs Allowed - Tied for 15th The numbers show that the Astros problems stem from bad pitching. Bags is the greatest player EVER to wear an Astros uniform and needs to retire an Astro. ------------------ Houston Rockets Forever!! In Rudy We Trust
He is the greatest first baseman to play the game. Period. If you put anybody around him that could play, then you'd have the greatest player to ever put on a uniform. You are looking at a triple crown threat every year. Nobody else can duplicate that. And the one thing you are forgetting, above all other things, is that he still has his best years ahead of him. His chance will come again. And he will deliver a title to Houston. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
Phi Slamma Jamma is absolutely right! This guy is a gold glover at first...he runs bases very well, despite the fact he doesn't have a ton of speed, and he's a hell of a hitter. There's a baseball stat webpage (I can't remember what it's called right now!! ahhh!) that ranks players all time in different categories. Those who know baseball pretty well know how overrated batting average is as a stat. The best indicator of a great hitter to me is OPS, which combines slugging percentage on and on-base percentage. In that category Bagwell is ranked as the 12 greatest hitter of all time. It's no mistake that he was able to join that elite fraternity of players like Joltin' Joe and Ted Williams by having 300 HR's, 100 runs scored and 1000 RBI's. That's no fluke..it takes tons of great seasons to pull that off! As for playoff success..how come Barry Bonds doesn't take that criticism. His average in the playoffs is right around what Bagwell's is and yet he's referred to, by most, as the greatest player of this generation. I love Barry Bonds, but I find it odd that Bags takes so much heat for this and Bonds does not. Besides...this is not the NBA, NFL and NHL where every team in the league makes the playoffs!! In baseball, there are still just a few teams who go on to postseason...it's actually an accomplishment in that league to make the playoffs. The focus is on the regular season in baseball. I would hate to judge a player's career based on roughly 12 postseason games. Jeff Bagwell is easily this franchise's greatest player in its roughly 35 year old history...and he is, without question, the best first baseman in the game today. ------------------
Give us a break with the "He will bring a title to Houston" Nostradomus crap...PLEASE. You cannot see the future so don't even try. ------------------
I never saw Gehrig play, but I doubt if Bagwell is as good as him. Bagwell deserves major props, and all that comes his way. But he won't ever get the attention that he deserves as long as he is not named "McGwire" and doesn't play on the east coast. MHO: he is not a lock for the Hall of Fame at this point. I think that he's got to keep producing for at least another three years, and get close to 500 homers. You've got to shine a little brighter when you're not on an east coast team. Only time will tell. ------------------ Clutch Goons, Inc.
keeley -- I never saw Gehrig play so I absolutely won't guess either way. But it would be interesting to compare stats. I'm not convinced that Jeff Bagwell is necessarily not as good as Lou Gehrig to this point. You may be right on the HOF credentials. However, being the first first baseman to 30/30 and putting up the career numbers that he has certainly don't hurt his cause. Not every player in the Hall has 500 homers..if that were the only criteria very few of the players would actually be there. However, I agree that if he played for an East Coast team his chances would be better. But if he plays for 4 more seasons at the level he's played the last 6, I think he's in. Another 120 homers would bring him to around 425..combine that with his defensive presence and every thing else, and I think you're looking at a Hall of Famer. ------------------
Career Statistics (17 years) RUNS GHERIG 1,888 RUNS BAGWELL 1,764 HITS GHERIG 2,721 HITS BAGWELL 2,710 BATTING AVERAGE GHERIG .340 BATTING AVERAGE BAGWELL .305 HR GHERIG 493 HR BAGWELL 513 RBI GHERIG 1,995 RBI BAGWELL 1,812 Pretty Close in numbers and Bagwell is just now peaking. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
