Bagwell to retire this week.

[Bench]

The announcement is  expected by Friday after a personal services contract is finalized.

[toddthebod]

out of curiosity, when would Bagwell's time frame for hall of fame eligibility start:  from the end of the 2005 season (when he played his last game) or from the end of the 2006 season (when his contract ended and after which he announced his retirement)?

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
out of curiosity, when would Bagwell's time frame for hall of fame eligibility start:  from the end of the 2005 season (when he played his last game) or from the end of the 2006 season (when his contract ended and after which he announced his retirement)?

5 years from when he was last on the active roster, which would begin now.  So I think he would be eligible in 2011.

[Houston]

This is what the rule says:

Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball.

I think it means the clock starts when Bagwell last played in a game, which would be 2005, but I obviously don't know that for a fact.

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
This is what the rule says:

Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball.

I think it means the clock starts when Bagwell last played in a game, which would be 2005, but I obviously don't know that for a fact.

I don't think "active" means "actually played in a game", it means "on an active Major League player roster".

[loganck]

What about Albert Belle?  He was on the ballot this year for the second time, but on the DL until 2003.  Since Bagwell was on the DL all last year, shouldn't he go on the ballot in 2010?

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
What about Albert Belle?  He was on the ballot this year for the second time, but on the DL until 2003.  Since Bagwell was on the DL all last year, shouldn't he go on the ballot in 2010?

I don't know.  I could be wrong.

[Houston]

What is "active roster"... is it the 40-man roster, 25-man roster, or is it the major league payroll?

In related news, among the names on this year's ballot, there are six who played at least some time with Houston:

Derek Bell
Ken Caminiti
Pete Harnisch
Charlie Hayes
Stan Javier
Gregg Olson

[homer]

Quote:
The announcement is  expected by Friday after a personal services contract is finalized.

10AM CT press conference to announce.

The Link

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
What is "active roster"... is it the 40-man roster, 25-man roster, or is it the major league payroll?

The active roster is the 40-man roster plus anyone on the DL.  Bagwell was technically "active" in 2006, even though he didn't play in any games.

[loganck]

Any idea why Albert Belle was eligible starting last year?

[Lefty]

Quote:
The active roster is the 40-man roster plus anyone on the DL.

Even the 60-day DL?

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
Any idea why Albert Belle was eligible starting last year?

I have no idea.  I could be wrong about when Bagwell's eligibility starts, but he was on the active roster last season, and the Astros could have activated him at any time.

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:

Quote:
The active roster is the 40-man roster plus anyone on the DL.

Even the 60-day DL?

Yes, even the 60-day DL.

[VirtualBob]

Quote:

Quote:
The active roster is the 40-man roster plus anyone on the DL.

Even the 60-day DL?

The 40-man roster includes the DL in the "40" except for the 60-day DL which is "extra".  The 25-man does not include any DL players in the "25".

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
The active roster is the 40-man roster plus anyone on the DL.

Even the 60-day DL?

The 40-man roster includes the DL in the "40" except for the 60-day DL which is "extra".  The 25-man does not include any DL players in the "25".

That's a really confusing way of saying players on the 15-day DL count against the 40-man, but players on the 60-day DL do not.

[Lefty]

Quote:
That's a really confusing way of saying players on the 15-day DL count against the 40-man, but players on the 60-day DL do not.

Right, which was why I asked the question about "active players" & the 60-day DL.  Thanks for clearing that up.

[loganck]

I just got off the phone with someone from the National Baseball Library which is affiliated with the Hall of Fame. According to the guy I talked to, Bagwell will be eligible in 2011.  He said there must be five full years since the last atbat or inning in the field.  Since Bagwell never played last year, it was his first year not active.  2010 will be the fifth, and barring a comeback attempt, he'll be on the ballot in 2011.

[loganck]

He also mentioned that we'll probably see the Belle situation more and more with all the guaranteed contracts.  Not many players would retire mid-contract (as Pettitte's agents claimed he would do) just becuase they can't play.  Hard to blame them when contracts are back-loaded.  The result will be lots of players on the ballot just a year or two after they officially retire.

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
I just got off the phone with someone from the National Baseball Library which is affiliated with the Hall of Fame. According to the guy I talked to, Bagwell will be eligible in 2011.  He said there must be five full years since the last atbat or inning in the field.  Since Bagwell never played last year, it was his first year not active.  2010 will be the fifth, and barring a comeback attempt, he'll be on the ballot in 2011.

Cool!  Thanks for going to the source and clearing that up for us.

[Ty in Tampa]

Well, that was kind of sad. But he looks good, and happy.

[loganck]

I should've just waited for Fotter's article

Quote:
Bagwell and Biggio were inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame on Nov. 12, 2004, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Feb. 9, 2005. As for Cooperstown,  Bagwell will be eligible for that honor in 2011 . After 15 stellar seasons as one of baseball's elite, he has a great chance to make it a hat trick.

The Link

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
He also mentioned that we'll probably see the Belle situation more and more with all the guaranteed contracts.  Not many players would retire mid-contract (as Pettitte's agents claimed he would do) just becuase they can't play.  Hard to blame them when contracts are back-loaded.  The result will be lots of players on the ballot just a year or two after they officially retire.

Mark McGwire has such limited mobility in his knee towards the end of his mega-contract, he was basically playing with only one good leg.  All the machinations from LaRussa to get him some at bats withstanding, McGwire was hanging on by a thread, sort of like Bagwell.

Problem was he had two years remaining on his contract and it was backloaded money.  What to do.  Mark McGwire was done, finished, he can't play any more... but you owe him two guaranteed years of money.  He can't retire because if he does, he'll forfeit that money.

So you either go the Mo Vaughn, Albert Belle, Pat Meares and Jeff Bagwell route and DL him every year until his contract runs out or you work out an agreement to let him walk away with something.  McGwire choose to retire with the settlement offered by the Cardinals.  The thing is, McGwire's insurance paid off so the Cardinals simply gave him the money from the insurance claim and called it even.

Jeff Bagwell's money was in doubt because of the insurance.   Had they (the insurance) agreed to pay last year, his retirement wouldn't have happened today.  It would've happened last year.  Even if the player is magnamonous (sp?) to walk away from guaranteed money as Pettitte claims he will do, the MLBPA will file a grievance for some sort of settlement regardless of the player's desire.  They will not allow a rogue element in the rank and file to set precedent for them.

[Bench]

Quote:
I should've just waited for Fotter's article

Quote:
Bagwell and Biggio were inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame on Nov. 12, 2004, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Feb. 9, 2005. As for Cooperstown,  Bagwell will be eligible for that honor in 2011 . After 15 stellar seasons as one of baseball's elite, he has a great chance to make it a hat trick.

The Link

In its entirety, that was a fantastic article that perfectly summed up all that is great about Bagwell's career and his contributions to the game. Footer should be proud of that, and it should be required reading for every BBWA voter.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
Well, that was kind of sad. But he looks good, and happy.

I was just watching the replay of Baggy's career.  It was great, but I was struck with the saddness that he's not ever going to play again for the Houston Astros or anyone else.

I think I'll allow myself just a moment of saddness, but for the longterm, it's all about how great he was and how privileged we were that he was a Houston Hero!

Now that is something to be very happy about!

[EasTexAstro]

Quote:

Quote:
Well, that was kind of sad. But he looks good, and happy.

I was just watching the replay of Baggy's career.  It was great, but I was struck with the saddness that he's not ever going to play again for the Houston Astros or anyone else.

I think I'll allow myself just a moment of saddness, but for the longterm, it's all about how great he was and how privileged we were that he was a Houston Hero!

Now that is something to be very happy about!

I only wish the video had included a few defensive plays. Sad, sad day, in a way. It will be a while before we see a player like that at 1st again.

[Waldo]

Astros.com has a couple of Bagwell photo galleries up, including the following:

"Jeff Bagwell chats with Jimmy Wynn on June 25, 2005, the day Wynn's uniform No. 25 was retired by the club.  Bagwell broke Wynn's home run record in April of 1999."

Whoever wrote the captions must not be familiar with Cheo.

[LonghornCDR]

I don't know what it is about Bagwell, but I've never felt sad about the end of anyone else's career.  I don't even think Biggio's retirement will hit me like this one.

It was a privilege to watch him play for the Astros.  Glad he's still going to be associated with the team.  Future bench coach?  Manager?

[Phil_in_CS]

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It was a privilege to watch him play for the Astros.  Glad he's still going to be associated with the team.  Future bench coach?  Manager?

I think a smaller role than that. On the FSN piece, he sounded pretty happy to be spending time with his girls, travelling in the summers, that sort of stuff.

He's sure earned it.

[LonghornCDR]

Manager was a stretch.  But is bench coach?  And of course, I am thinking YEARS down the line.

I don't think anyone will dispute the effect his personality has had on this team.  I'll readily admit that I'm a greedy fan and want that influence to come back as quickly and in the most direct way possible.

I respect him greatly, and if he chooses to ride off into the sunset, spend time with his family, and make figurehead appearances for the team, good on him.  I just think a guy like Bags can still contribute to the product on the field.

[drew corleone]

Yeah. It's a sad day, but like you, I'm just happy to have seen him play for so many years.

Seeing him play in the World Series last year was an incredible moment.

[Craig]

Quote:
Yeah. It's a sad day, but like you, I'm just happy to have seen him play for so many years.

Seeing him play in the World Series last year was an incredible moment.

In fact, his last few AB's were probably in the World Series, right?

[loganck]

His last 8 atbats, in fact.  1 hit, 1 run, 1 K
The Link

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:
Manager was a stretch.  But is bench coach?  And of course, I am thinking YEARS down the line.

I don't think anyone will dispute the effect his personality has had on this team.  I'll readily admit that I'm a greedy fan and want that influence to come back as quickly and in the most direct way possible.

I respect him greatly, and if he chooses to ride off into the sunset, spend time with his family, and make figurehead appearances for the team, good on him.  I just think a guy like Bags can still contribute to the product on the field.

How many Hall of Famers have spent time as bench coaches? Yogi Berra, I guess. Who else?

[Houston]

One more thing to add... players selected from this year's ballot (Gwynn, Ripken, etc.) will be a part next year's class, if that makes sense. So, Bagwell will be on the ballot at the end of 2010 for inclusion in the Class of 2011, if he gets the votes.

Thanks for doing the research.

[Arky Vaughan]

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His last 8 atbats, in fact.  1 hit, 1 run, 1 K
The Link

Last game:

The Link

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:

Quote:
His last 8 atbats, in fact.  1 hit, 1 run, 1 K
The Link

Last game:

The Link

In fact, his last at-bat was a single, igniting a rally to tie the game off the other team's closer in the ninth inning, and his last time on the bases was scoring a run. Fitting.

ASTROS 9TH: JENKS REPLACED POLITTE (PITCHING); Bagwell singled to center; Lane struck out; Burke walked [Bagwell to second]; Ausmus grounded out (first unassisted) [Bagwell to third, Burke to second]; VIZCAINO BATTED FOR EVERETT; Vizcaino singled to left [Bagwell scored, Burke scored, Vizcaino to second (on throw)]; LAMB BATTED FOR BRUNTLETT; COTTS REPLACED JENKS (PITCHING); Lamb flied to left; 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Astros 6, White Sox 6.

[The Spleen]

He also pinch hit in games 3 and 4...

[Arky Vaughan]

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He also pinch hit in games 3 and 4...

Why did you have to go and screw up the perfect ending?

[David in Jackson]

Quote:

Quote:
He also pinch hit in games 3 and 4...

Why did you have to go and screw up the perfect ending?

ASTROS 7TH: Ausmus flied to right; Everett flied to left;
BAGWELL BATTED FOR BACKE; Bagwell grounded out (second to
first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  White Sox 0, Astros 0.

Well, I guess I can say I saw it.

[SoonerJim]

Quote:

Quote:
Well, that was kind of sad. But he looks good, and happy.

I was just watching the replay of Baggy's career.  It was great, but I was struck with the saddness that he's not ever going to play again for the Houston Astros or anyone else.

I think I'll allow myself just a moment of saddness, but for the longterm, it's all about how great he was and how privileged we were that he was a Houston Hero!

Now that is something to be very happy about!

He was one prospect Baseball America pegged accurately. Bill James thought he'd be an NL batting champion. I know Boston was in a race and needed pitching, but who was the Astro's GM who pulled the trigger on the deal? The trade imbalance on the Anderson deal nearly approaches that of the Christy Mathewson trade, which was also one-sided, 373 victories to zero.

[JimR]

only with 20/20 hindsight. he was a AA prospect without a position and Andersen was a premier setup man.

[drew corleone]

I still think my favorite Bagwell moment from 05, though, was the PH game-winner against the Phils.

[BudGirl]

Quote:
I still think my favorite Bagwell moment from 05, though, was the PH game-winner against the Phils.

Mine was the game against Milwaukee.

[Bench]

In Footer's article she mentions that when Gammons learned of the Bagwell trade, he crumpled the press release, threw it out, and stormed home in disgust, walking over a mile (in snow uphill both ways, no doubt).

Now, I had never heard that story before and it quite frankly sounds a tad fishy, but if true that's quite a tale.