Bagwell set to retire; Sign personal services contract

It sucks becuase he should still be playing and probably already past 500 hr's. But, I'm ecstatic that he will remain in the Astros organization and that he will be the first Astro elected to the HOF. I've secretely been hoping that he doesn't get in on the first ballot so that he and Biggio could go in together. What an amazing day that would be. I think I'll start pricing my tickets out today...

No athlete not named Hakeem or Earl has meant more to this city than Bagwell and Biggio. I have felt blessed to watch them play over the past 2+ decades. I'm very happy that Bagwell will be around to help the younger players...only if he doesn't try to pass on that batting stance.

 

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1_YnNBo_uLo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1_YnNBo_uLo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

 

Bagwell will be an interesting HOF vote. For those of us in Houston, we say he's a hall of famer for the most part. I don't know how widely that sentiment is shared. I know Biggio will get in, and probably first ballot, but I don't think Bagwell gets in on the first ballot and may not ever get in.

 

i promise you he'll get in.

 

Top 50 all time in seven very key offensive categories. Even as a first baseman (who when good are generally suppossed to be power players), that is impressive.

Bagwell and Frank Thomas were both the stalwarts of first base for a decade. They should both get in, and should both get in first ballot.

I think Bags will get in, but not first ballot, though.

 

Bagwell was one of the most complete baseball players I have ever seen. He is HOF worthy.

 

I read that the Orioles called to see if he was interested in being their DH this year. I guess he decided it just wasn't worth it.

 

Damn...What a great run..I still think a first ballot HOF, but I"m biased...All those years in the Dome...

 

I think you may be right. We know Bagwell was The Man, but outside of Houston, he may not be as highly regarded.

It's a shame, too: I've never seen an Astro hit like he did. I remember watching him hit three homers in one game. In the Astrodome, no less! Glad he's sticking with the team in his "retirement".

 

compare bags to other hall of fame 1st basemen and you will see a he stacks up well against all of them, and surpases many of them. DEFINATE HALL OF FAMER

 

I would be ecstatic if Bags would become our bench coach once Cecil Cooper moves on and becomes a manager somewhere. Seeing Bags on the bench in an Astros uniform again would be quite a welcome sight.

 

Bagwell is just about universally held in very high regard in baseball circles.

When it comes time to seriously debate his candidacy in a few years, I think you'll be surprised at how he's talked up by his peers.

 

Problem is, his peers don't get the vote the first 15 or so years. It's those mediots who vote.

 

Baseball people talk. Sometimes the media guys do in fact listen.

You may see a media guy do a media campaign ala what McClain did for Warren Moon. The only baseball writer in Houston with any sort of national pull is, laughably, Richard Justice, and he wasn't here for the majority of Bagwell's career. We'll see.

 

Chronic: Astros' Bagwell expected to retire this week

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4395396.html

The playing career of former Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell is expected to officially come to an end this week.

Bagwell, the club's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs, will announce his retirement once he and the club reach an agreement on a personal services contract for his post-playing days.

That's expected to happen by Friday. Barry Axelrod, Bagwell's longtime agent, and Astros general manager Tim Purpura said Monday the deal is being finalized.

"I'm hoping it will be this week, but I'm not certain of it yet," Purpura said.

The proposal is expected to be similar to the agreements pitchers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens signed.

"We're still trying to work on the details of the next step," Axelrod said. "If we can get this resolved, hopefully we'll have something by the end of the week."

Ryan, a special assistant to Purpura, signed a five-year personal services contract with the Astros prior to the 2004 season and has been instrumental in working with the organization's young pitchers. Clemens has a 10-year deal in place when he retires.

Axelrod said Bagwell's agreement could encompass anything from working with young hitters to assisting in the front office and even to broadcasting.

"We're not going to specify what he may be doing, but he's going to kind of jump into it and be involved in the club in some way," Axelrod said.

Bagwell, 38, spent much of the 2005 season on the disabled list because of his arthritic right shoulder.

He had surgery and started a pair of games for the Astros in the World Series that year, but the pain in his shoulder wouldn't allow him to make it through spring training before the 2006 season.

Meanwhile, Purpura spent much of Monday continuing his quest to land a starting pitcher.

Last week's deal for Chicago White Sox starter Jon Garland appears dead, but the Astros are having discussions with the Colorado Rockies about righthander Jason Jennings, a Baylor product.

Also, today is the last day for teams to offer contracts to unsigned players.

 

About time..

 

I wish Jeff bagwell would hang out in my van before his retirment.

 

If we would've drafted Vince Young, he could've healed Jeff Bagwell's shoulder with one touch.

 

to go along with Tmac's back