Can Jeff Bagwell making it to the Hall Of Fame?
The question which has eluded many over the past two decades, focuses on the career of one baseball player who played for the Houston Astros. Jeff Bagwell was a legend in his own right, and in the coming hall of fame induction ceremony, baseball fans will
wonder what the hitter’s chances are of making it past the ballot vote.
This year marks the first time that Bagwell has made it to the ballot. There is plenty of support for the player, but the matter at hand concerns when he’ll be inducted in to the prestigious hall. Jeff was picked by the Boston Red Sox when he started off
as a prospect. He later found himself playing for the Houston Astros, through a trade deal that saw veteran relief pitcher Larry Anderson move the other way.
He started off in 1991 as the club’s first baseman. He was an instant success. He averaged .294 with the bat, and ploughed 82 Runs Batted In (RBI) in the process. In addition to that, Bagwell piled up 15 home runs in 156 ball games during his rookie season.
At the end of the regular league season, he was awarded with the Rookie of the Year honour. Art Howe, who managed the Astros from 1989 to 1993, spoke about Bagwell recently.
Howe said, "The fact he was Rookie of the Year, for me that was a pretty good sign of things to come. I think it was his first game in the big leagues against the Cincinnati Reds and the 'Nasty Boys' were pitching against us, and I think they had the lead
and he's leading off the top of the ninth. (Rob) Dibble's on the mound and he's blowing them away, and he knocks Bagwell down. I don't know how he got out of the way of it. The next pitch, (Bagwell) hit a rocket up the middle. That told me we had our hands
on a great player."
Nevertheless Bagwell’s overall career is something to be proud of for Houston Astros’ fans. Craig Biggio, who played alongside Jeff, is also going to be eligible for the award in the next two years. He believes there is a possibility of Bagwell getting into
the Hall of Fame this time around.
"There's no doubt about it, he should be in the Hall of Fame," said Craig Biggio. He added, "His numbers speak for themselves when you compare them to other first baseman and other power hitters, in general. But the defensive side gets lost. To me, there's
no doubt in my mind he deserves to be in there, and we'll cross our fingers and hope for the best."
Bagwell appeared in four All–Star fixtures. He smashed 2314 hits, 449 home runs and 1529 RBIs in his illustrious career. He had to quit the game due to a degenerative shoulder ailment in 2005. Things could have been different for the mega star if he could
have gotten past 500 home runs. Unfortunately his career was cut short. He had done a lot for the Astros, and one thing in particular highlighted his playoff credentials.
The top batter got the Astros' to the playoffs six times. He last made an appearance for the Astros' in 2005. He was 42 years old at the time, and the team was competing in the World Series. In 1995, Jeff scooped the club’s only National League Most Valuable
Player Award. The fact steers the thought home that the player is truly capable to get through the vote ballots for the Hall of Fame. Will Jeff make it past the preliminary round? Only time will tell.
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