[Gotham Dark Knight]

AP 3/26/06

Jeff Bagwell acknowledged Saturday what the Houston Astros told their insurance company weeks ago: The star first baseman is too hurt to play.
The multimillion-dollar question now is whether he'll ever be able to return. Bagwell said he will start the season on the disabled list and consult with a doctor to see if it would be beneficial to remove bone spurs from his shoulder.

I may never play again," he said. "It's been 15 years with the Astros. I have to do what's best for me, what's best for the Astros and best for baseball."

The 37-year-old Bagwell, perhaps the most popular player in franchise history, spent the spring in a contentious battle with the team while he tried to prove he could still play despite a chronically injured right shoulder. "I came down to spring training to see if I could still make it as a first baseman with the Astros," he said. "There were times in the offseason where I felt like I could do this. But with the condition of my shoulder, I'm not going to be able to start the season with the Astros."

Astros filed an insurance claim in January to recoup about $15.6 million of the $17 million Bagwell is guaranteed this season in the final year of his contract, arguing he is too hurt to play. For now he is on the 15-day disabled list. He must stay on the injured list all season for the Astros to collect their money.

Is Jeff Bagwell really done?...Will the politics of Money get in the way of a return this year?

[legend]

Hopefully he has enough socked away to go out with the class he has always shown. If he is indeed done, is he a Hall of Famer? 449 home runs and 1529 RBI over his career, with an average year of 34-115-.297. Never has been hinted at as being involved with steroids. I say he is a Hall of Famer, with numbers alot better than many already there. He also had 202 stolen bases. When we talked about the worst trades ever, did anyone mention Bagwell for washed up Larry Anderson? Oh my God!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

Hopefully he has enough socked away to go out with the class he has always shown. If he is indeed done, is he a Hall of Famer? 449 home runs and 1529 RBI over his career, with an average year of 34-115-.297. Never has been hinted at as being involved with steroids. I say he is a Hall of Famer, with numbers alot better than many already there. He also had 202 stolen bases. When we talked about the worst trades ever, did anyone mention Bagwell for washed up Larry Anderson? Oh my God!

Bagwell is sure to bang on the door of the hall...but I can't see him get in over a player like Dale Murphy who was one of the most dominant player of his generation, two time MVP, and put up +390 HRs in an era of better pitching, and larger ball park...Murphy also had the glove, and posted a 30-30 season when it was still a big deal to do...aside from that, he had a squeaky clean image and would routinely chair about 5 charities a season...nothing against Bags, who is one of my favorite players of the 90's...but like Murph, Bags is on that cutting edge...

[MVB]

Hopefully, Bagwell will step out and not cause a rift between the Astros organization and himself. He is definitely a Hall of Fame candidate, but I'm not sure if he'll actually make it in.

[legend]

Dale Murphy only hit .300 three times, and had a .265 career average. This is what keeps him out of the hall.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

Dale Murphy only hit .300 three times, and had a .265 career average. This is what keeps him out of the hall.

Dale was a dominate player in his generation and faced far better pitching than Bagwell...You also say that as if batting average was the key to the Hall...Dale had a glove, he had an arm, he had speed...he was a two time MVP, and second only to Schimdt as the premier power hitter of the 80's...Bagwell's peers out did him by way more...Bags peers are the Bonds, McGwires, Griffey's, Sosa's etc...its not even close on who was more dominate within his era...Bags stats as fantastic as they are have been compiled largely at a time when everyone hits homers by the score...Its like Saying that Sosa and Griffey's +500 Hrs are in the company of Foxx and Gehrig...they are not...Foxx and Gehrig hit them in an era where they out distanced thier peers by a wider margin, and only the immortal Ruth was superior...you can't use inflated stats as the sole criteria...it would be insane...

Have said that Bags is a fine candiate...and he will get over 200 votes easy...I just don't think he will go the distance...