Jeff Bagwell

Jeffrey Robert Bagwell, born May 27, 1968, is an American Major League Baseball player and long-time first baseman for the Houston Astros. He happens to have been born on the same day as the Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas.

Related Topics:
May 27 - 1968 - American - Major League Baseball - Houston Astros - Chicago White Sox - Frank Thomas

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A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Bagwell graduated from Xavier High School, a private Catholic school located in Middletown, Connecticut, then went to the University of Hartford, also in Connecticut. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/jeff_bagwell.shtml

Related Topics:
Boston - Massachusetts - Xavier High School - Catholic school - Middletown, Connecticut - University of Hartford - Connecticut

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Drafted in 1989 by the Boston Red Sox, the next year he was traded to the Houston Astros for aging relief pitcher Larry Andersen -- a trade regarded as one of the most one-sided of all time as Andersen fairly quickly became a free agent and left the Red Sox, while Bagwell became one of the most respected players in Astros history. Bagwell has been with Houston ever since, and, along with teammate Craig Biggio, was virtually synonymous with the Astros in the 1990s.

Related Topics:
1989 - Boston Red Sox - Houston Astros - Larry Andersen - Craig Biggio

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Bagwell hits and throws right-handed. Developed as a third baseman, he was shifted to first base during 1991 spring training as the Astros already had an established third baseman in Ken Caminiti. Bagwell had his major league debut that opening day and was named the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year.

Related Topics:
Third baseman - First base - Ken Caminiti - National League - Rookie of the Year

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Bagwell's peak year may have been 1994, when he was unanimously named National League MVP, after batting .368, with 39 home runs, 116 runs batted in and 104 runs scored, in a strike-shortened season. His .750 slugging percentage that year was the 11th best mark in American baseball history.

Related Topics:
1994 - National League - MVP - Batting - Home run - Runs batted in - Runs scored - Slugging percentage

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In eight different seasons between 1994 and 2003, Bagwell hit at least 30 home runs, scored at least 100 runs and drove in at least 100 runs, accomplishing this trifecta every year between 1996 and 2001. He also had seven straight seasons (1996 to 2002) in which he drew 100 or more walks.

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Bagwell, in his prime, was also a great fielder, winning a Gold Glove award, and was fairly speedy, too, stealing more than 20 bases in three different seasons.

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Bagwell is also known for his unusual batting stance, in which he appears to be sitting on an invisible bench, then steps back with his front foot when making bat contact with the ball.

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Bagwell has played in the major leagues for 14 full seasons. As of the end of the 2004 season, his career batting average was .297, with 446 homers, 1,510 runs batted in, and a slugging percentage of .542.

Related Topics:
Major leagues - 2004 - Batting average - Homers - Runs batted in - Slugging percentage

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During the 2005 season, a persistent arthritic condition in Bagwell's shoulder sidelined him. He was reactivated in September 2005 as a pinch hitter.

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