Jeff Bagwell

Baseball Player

Jeff Bagwell was born in Boston, Massachusetts, United States on May 27th, 1968 and is the Baseball Player. At the age of 55, Jeff Bagwell biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.

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Date of Birth
May 27, 1968
Nationality
United States
Place of Birth
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Age
55 years old
Zodiac Sign
Gemini
Networth
$65 Million
Profession
Baseball Player
Jeff Bagwell Height, Weight, Eye Color and Hair Color

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Jeff Bagwell Life

Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and mentor who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Houston Astros.

He was drafted third baseman in the 1989 amateur draft and then traded to the Astros in 1990. He was originally a Boston Red Sox fourth-round pick from the University of Hartford as a third baseman in the 1989 amateur draft.

Bagwell received the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year in 1991 and 1994, and a Gold Glove recipient.

Houston has been in first or second place in the NL Central division in 11 of 12 seasons from 1994 to 2005, making it a core piece of Astros lineups with Craig Biggio's epithet "Killer B's."

They qualified for the playoffs six times, culminating in Bagwell's appearance in 2005's lone World Series appearance.

He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and in 2017 in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bagwell was sent by rescue pitcher Larry Andersen to the Red Sox, making it one of the most lopsided trades in sports history.

Andersen pitched just 22 innings for Boston, while the Astros earned 449 home runs, the most in club history, despite establishing multiple other franchise records and single-season records.

He excelled at every major aspect of the game, including hitting, on-base accuracy, running, defense, and throwing.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, he was one of the most consistent players of his time in any of his first 11 seasons.

His 1994 season was perhaps his finest.

He set the fastest plate appearances to reach both 100 runs scored and 100 runs batted in (RBIs), set a career-high.368, and set the fourth unanimous NL MVP in history.

He came in second place in the MVP voting in 1999, his second season in the 30-30 category. With 30 home runs, 100 runs scored, 100 runs scored, and 100 walks, the only player in MLB history to have six seasons (1996–2001).

In his first ten seasons, Bagwell was just the fifth to hit 300 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and 1,000 runs scored.

He is one of only 12 players to reach 400 home runs and a.400 on-base percentage (OBP), and the only first baseman with at least 400 home runs and 200 stolen bases.

Bagwell batted over.300 times, had a career OBP of 3908 (39th all time) and a slugging percentage of.540 (32nd all time).

He is the only first baseman to play for the 30th Baseman more than once.

His 79.6 career WAR per Baseball-Reference.com ranks sixth in all time among first basemen.

Early life

Jeff Bagwell and his family immigrated to Killingworth, Connecticut, when he was one year old, and he was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The majority of Bagwell's family is from the Boston, Massachusetts, including both his parents and avid Boston Red Sox fans. Carl Yastrzemski, the Red Sox's longest-serving left fielder, was a long-time left fielder. Robert, a native of Watertown, played college baseball at Northwestern University and as a semi-professional. Janice, a police officer, grew up in Newton and played softball in local Boston leagues until her 20s. When he was 11 years old, Bagwell's parents divorced. He played a variety of sports as a youth, with precocious and showing a keen athletic ability early in life. Jeff, who was recalled, "could throw a ball before he could walk." We'd throw a ball to him and he'd throw it back when he was six months old."

Bagwell graduated from Xavier High School, a private all-male Catholic school located in Middletown, Connecticut. He excelled at soccer, set the school's record-scoring record, played shortstop, and lettered in basketball. Bagwell was praised by Xavier in early 1989 for his courage and generosity. He also excelled in American Legion Baseball under mentor Fred Tremalgia for Middletown's Post 75 and went on to be named the Year's highest male Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year in 2003.

Personal life

Bagwell spent most of his time with his family, as well as occasionaly taking teaching and special assignment positions for the Astros. He is married to Rachel Bagwell, his third wife, with whom he has five children in a blended family. Rachel had three children before meeting Jeff. Jeff had two children, Blake and Bryce, before his marriage to Rachel. In 1992, Bagwell married model Shaune Bagwell (née Stauffer). He married Ericka Bagwell, with whom he had his two children. Rachel Bagwell is the widow of Dr. Michael Brown, the owner and founder of Brown Hand Center in the Greater Houston area.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Bagwell has revealed that he "doesn't care enough of the spotlight" that follows. Brad Ausmus, a long-serving friend and former teammate, recounted several little-known details as he paid their respects to him at the retirement ceremony of his uniform number. When growing up in Connecticut, "He loved soccer as much as [baseball]. He had three fewer home runs than his boyhood hero, Carl Yastrzemski, who died by 452 to 449. "He's six foot tall," says his baseball card. He's closer to 5'10" than a 5'10"." Both Bagwell and Ausmus made 32 triples in their careers. Bagwell had long hair throughout his playing career. "I want to make sure he does not have hair extensions," Ausmus said.

Bagwell reportedly sold his house in Houston's Memorial neighborhood in January 2015.

Darryl Kile, a former Astros teammate, died of a heart attack on June 22, 2002 while a Cardinals fanatic, prior to a game against the Cubs. In his honor, the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award was established each year for one player on both the Cardinals and the Astros. In 2003, Bagwell became the first Astros receiver. Ken Caminiti, another former Bagwell's teammate, died on October 10, 2004. At his funeral, Bagwell delivered a eulogy.

Bagwell is a recovering alcoholic. He suffered with heroin for many years before 2017;

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Jeff Bagwell Career

College career

Despite the fact that baseball is not his primary sport, Bill Denehy, the University of Hartford's head coach, offered Bagwell a scholarship. Bagwell's acceptance of Hartford's baseball scholarship was based in part on the lack of a professional soccer league in the United States at the time. Denehy moved Bagwell to third base at Hartford. He batted.413 in 400 at bats, a school record, and a New England collegiate record for the first time. Before being drafted, he was the school's career home run (31) and run batted in (126) lead, as well as a two-time Eastern College Athletic Conference player of the year.

He played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 1987 and 1988, and was named starting third baseman for the East Division in the league's annual all-star game.

Professional career

In the fourth round of the 1989 Major League Baseball draft, the Red Sox selected Jeff Bagwell. Barry Axelrod was his agent throughout his career. Bagwell was sent by the Red Sox to the Winter Haven Red Sox of the Florida State League in 1989, where he batted.310 with two home runs. Bagwell received the Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award in 1990 while playing for the AA New England Red Sox. He batted.333 with 160 hits, four home runs (HR), 61 runs batted in (RBI), 34 doubles, seven triples, 73 bases on balls (BB or walks), and a.880 on-base plus slugging percentage (SO). He came in first in hits and doubles, second in batting, OBP, and OPS, fourth in walks, fifth in SLG, ninth in runs scored, and tenth in RBI.

Larry Andersen, a late 1990s Red Sox fan who was in dire need of relief pitching to raise their chances of making the playoffs, called the Houston Astros late in the game. Stan Benjamin, a scout for the Astros in New England, recommended that they call Bagwell in return. Benjamin didn't hesitate due to his sparse home run production, but the Astros persuaded them, saying that New Britain's Beehive Field was so large that "Babe Ruth couldn't hit home runs in that ballpark." The Red Sox accepted the Astros' bid on August 30, 1990. The trade is now considered one of baseball's most one-sided professions, with ESPN's readers naming it the second-worst market in sports history, behind only the Red Sox trading Ruth to the New York Yankees in 2001. Despite Andersen's good run in 1990 — he allowed three runs in 22 innings — to help the Red Sox win the American League East division championship on the final day of the season, the Oakland Athletics swept them out of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). They then lost Andersen after the season, when he was proclaimed a "new-look" free agent thanks to the third collusion agreement.

The trade made sense at the time, according to Lou Gorman, the Red Sox's then-general manager. Gorman spent the next decade defending the decision-making process that led to the Bagwell trade. According to Gorman's 2005 autobiography, Boston already had Wade Boggs at third base and had rated prospects Tim Naehring and Scott Cooper on the company's depth chart, which was higher than Bagwell. Bagwell had spent some time in the minors at first base, but Mo Vaughn barred him from that position. Gorman sought Andersen only after being promised by MLB's player relations department that Andersen would not be lost to the new-look free department. Nonetheless, it is still one of baseball's most one-sided trades. Not only did the Red Sox lose Andersen to free agency after one month, but neither Naehring nor Cooper played in MLB since 1997.

Despite the trade's odd results, Bagwell became acquainted with Andersen and developed a friendship. "I knew Los Angeles and I love him," Bagwell wrote. "When I was playing poorly, he used to make fun of me." 'You're making me look bad, so you're forcing me to step it up,' he said. Look at his numbers. He was a natural performer at what he did."

Despite a surprising detour early in Bagwell's professional baseball career, the Houston entrepreneur blossomed, becoming one of the Astros' most versatile players. He spent his entire major league career in a Houston uniform, and alongside teammate Craig Biggio's, a player and defensive unit with the Astros for 15 seasons and into the 2000s, he was a member of the Houston Dynamo. They participated in ten All-Star Games, won five Gold Gloves, and ranked in the top five of the Most Valuable Player Award voting five times over their ten seasons from 1994 to 2003, with an average of 226 runs scored. They had 689 home runs, 2,485 RBI, and 3,083 runs scored, with the Astros winning six times.

Bagwell waited for each pitch in a low crouch, with legs wide open and knees bent almost 90 degrees, appearing as if he was sitting on an invisible bench in an exaggerated and bizarre batting style. He stepped back with his front foot as he began his swing. He's likely to rise from his position and turn his hands with the bat forward into his explosive, uppercut swing next week. Joe Torre said, "the wide stance holds him from striding," "which could be your biggest issue if you're trying to reach for office." The low crouch also shrunk his strike zone, allowing him to walk more often. He did not appear in the image of an intimidating, home run-hitting giant who would make pitchers be extra cautious when they batted after starting his major league career.

In spring 1991, the Astros welcomed Bagwell to a major league camp. Bagwell, who was hoping for the club to assign him to Tucson's AAA affiliate, enthused them with his play. They approached Bagwell about moving to third base because they, too, had an established big leaguer at third base in Ken Caminiti. Bagwell did not previously play in the role as a regular, and the afternoon and Astros games were in the morning and afternoon until Opening Day. "Rookie Jeff Bagwell never played first base before this spring," says Sporting News, but the position is his to lose." It's up to his bat." Bagwell went from AA to AAA, making the jump from AA to the big leagues without a contract. He made his major league debut on Opening Day. In a seventh-inning pinch hit appearance at Three Rivers Stadium on May 6, he made the ninth-ever upper-deck home run off the back of Bob Kipper. In September, Bagwell's average stood at.350. Although leading the Astros in multiple offensive categories, he had a.294 with 15 home runs and 82 RBI. He was named the 1991 National League (NL) Rookie of the Year, the first Astros player to win the award, Baseball America's Rookie of the Year, and the Topps' Rookie of the Year.

Many baseball analysts were intrigued by Bagwell's power rise. He had played six home runs in 932 at bats in two minor league seasons from 1989 to 1990, a ratio of 155 at bats per home run (AB/HR). With 15 home runs in his first year in Houston, the average dropped to 36.9. He also displayed extraordinary plate discipline for a rookie: his OBP hit.387, finishing 10th in the league in walks with 75, placing fifth in the league with 75th. "That's awesome," Bagwell remarked when discussing hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who replied, "awesome?" exclaimed the power surge. We'll get more out of you than that." Jaramillo taught Bagwell to hit with topspin rather than nose diving while he was arriving in Houston, resulting in a soaring trajectory rather than nose diving. He also conditioned Bagwell to manipulate the count, rather than indiscriminately swinging at any pitch that looked to be a strike. "I didn't have many home runs in the minor leagues, but when I finally did, it was a long way."

Although Bagwell was firmly established as the Astros' first baseman since 1991, he recalled years later that moving from third base was not automatic. First basemen approach fielding games from their right hand, which is opposite to playing third base. In a game against St. Louis, he recalled one conversation that occurred during an Astros pitching change. "How's it going?" shortstop Ozzie Smith was on first and asked Bagwell, "How's it going?" "I'm really struggling with my backhand," Bagwell said. "Well, here's what you do," Smith said. The ball can't be fielded deep. You have to get out in front of it." "I was really being taught a lesson from Ozzie Smith at first base during a pitching change," Remarked Bagwell. It's pretty cool."

Bagwell hit.273 runs last year, bringing in 96 runs with 18 home runs. The Astros finished third in the National League West division in 1993, and Bagwell was batting.320 with 20 home runs and 88 RBI in mid-September. However, Ben Rivera's pitch broke the fourth metacarpal bone in Bagwell's left hand, capping his season prematurely. It was the first of three seasons that ended early or was postponed due to an incoming pitch breaking the same bone in that hand. His tendency to dip just before starting to swing made his hand more vulnerable to being struck by inside pitches. He had his lowest.320 average in the Netherlands, ranking him sixth in the NL. Bagwell and the Astros agreed to a one-year deal with a $2.4 million base salary (USD, $4.5 million today).

The 1994 season, which produced many franchise records, was the most productive season in Bagwell's professional career. The Astros defeated the Astros in a 12-inning walk-off on Opening Day, April 4, against the Montreal Expos. Bagwell went 3-for-6. He batted.360 with six home runs and six more in May for the month of April. He hit 13 home runs in June, setting a new Astros' franchise record for one month, while batting.394, 11 doubles,.455 SLG, and 1.354 OPS. In a 16–4 victory over Glenn Davis in 1990, he struck three home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Astrodome on June 24, two in the same inning. On June 19 and June 26, he was named NL Player of the Week for the second week in a row, and June 26 was named NL Player of the Month for the second time in his career.

Bagwell had tied Kirby Puckett for the major league RBI lead at 81 going into the All-Star break, scoring.348 with 27 home runs and 74 runs. Bagwell started off as a pinch hitter for starting pitcher Greg Maddux, singling off David Cone, and ended up collecting two hits in four at bats in the All-Star Game. In his first 101 games, Bagwell defeated José Rijo 6–5 to give him 101 RBI. José Cruz and Jimmy Wynn reported that he tied for most RBI in any month in July. He earned his second consecutive Player of the Month award in a row, hitting.409 with 11 home runs, 20 walks, and 1.384 OPS. He would walk in six walks in nine August games before Andy Benes fractured his left hand and ended his season in the same way the season began. Bagwell had an 18-game winning streak going into the game. For all the major leagues, the strike came to an end two days later. Since the All-Star break, his output slowed in 26 games, batting.432,.906 SLG, 1.446 OPS, 10 doubles, 34 RBI, and 30 runs scored. In the inaugural season of the National League Central division, the Astros finished one-half game out of first place, a result of MLB's division realignment.

Bagwell played in 110 games during the 1994 season, batting.368 with a.750 SLG, 1.201 OPS, 39 home runs, 104 runs scored, 300 total bases, and 213 adjusted OPS (OPS+) in 400 at bats. He dominated the major leagues in SLG, OPS+, RBI, and total bases, as well as the NL in runs scored and OPS, but he fell short of winning the batting Triple Crown after batting.394. Bagwell finished second in home runs to Matt Williams, who hit 43 runs.

Bagwell tied for the fewest plate appearances in a season, scoring 100 of both runs scored and runs driven in, becoming the first National Leaguer to finish first or second in batting average, home runs, RBI,, and runs scored since Willie Mays in 1955. His.750 SLG at the time was the seventh-best ever and the highest by a National Leaguer since Rogers Hornsby in 1925 (.756). Moreover, the 213 OPS+ led Hornsby's 1924 season (222 OPS+) for the second-highest ever, at the time in National League history. The 116 RBI in 110 games qualified for the 13th-highest ratio in history. In 56 games at the Astrodome, he set a record for the stadium that was not yet pitcher-friendly until the Astros were fired following the 1999 season. He set single-season club records for batting average, SLG, OPS, OPS, A/HR, and offensive win percentage (.858), as well as home runs, smashing Bob Watson's record of 17 years ago and RBI, which he later broke.

He became the fourth player in National League history to win by this award and the first Astros player to win the award. Bagwell also received his first Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and Player of the Year awards from The Sporting News, Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and USA Today Baseball Weekly. "Crazy stuff happened that year," Bagwell recalled of his 1994 debut. I got every pitch that I was looking for. And when I did get it, I didn't miss it." On November 23, 1994, the Astros and Bagwell decided to a four-year deal, worth $27.5 million (USD, $50.3 million today) for the three option years. He was the fifth-highest paid player in the majors thanks to his average annual income of $6.875 million ($12.6 million).

Due to the players' strike, which had started the year before, the 1995 season was cut by 18 games. Bagwell suffered through a tough month in which he batted.183 runs. His results began to improve in June as he batted.339 and then followed up in July by driving in 31 runs. Both Bagwell and Derek Bell, who were branded as a "Killer B" this month, made 31 RBI last month, breaking the monthly club RBI record. Bagwell had set a new record one year before the month. In less than a week, he defeated Maddux of the Atlanta Braves in his first two home runs, including two in the Atlanta Braves — who scored eight runs over the entire season. Bagwell's tenth-inning home run tied the score against the Colorado Rockies on July 28, and two innings later he declared the winning run for a 5–4 final score.

An incoming pitch broke a bone in Bagwell's left hand for the third time in three seasons: on this occasion, the Padres' Brian Williams cracked a bone. Bagwell resorted to wearing a heavily padded protective batting glove rather than transforming his popular style. Houston finished one game behind the Rockies in September, with five home runs and 21 RBI. Bagwell played in 114 and batted.290 with 21 home runs, missing a total of 30 games. He received the 1995 ESPY Awards for Outstanding Breakthrough Athlete and Outstanding Baseball Performer (later named "Best Major League Baseball Player"). He began a rigorous training regimen that helped him to gain 20 pounds and increased his endurance for the long season. Concentrated weight loss, diet change, and the use of creatine and androstenedione were among the targets.

Bagwell and Biggio had gained seniority — and not necessarily by age — within the Astros clubhouse as well as their status as superstars by the 1996 season. The first known reference to an Astros version of the word "Killer B's" has been found via a Google Search that took place this year, according to journalist Dayn Perry. Bagwell enforced accountability and preparation that fueled camaraderie and included all participants as key to the team's success. The Astros also pushed their playing ability, and a new series of playoff appearances followed. All who attended the Astros gym were greeted with a banner that read: "Bagwell's Gym." Work is demanding. Play Hard. Or, "go away."

Bagwell had two home runs and four RBI against Philadelphia on May 7, his 500th RBI appearance of his career. Bagwell made it to Three Rivers Stadium on May 29 for his second upper-deck home run. (140 meters) — It took away 459 feet (140 m) — the only homers to reach the stadium's upper deck twice. He batted.360 with 10.740 SLG, 10 home runs, 22 runs scored, and four stolen bases for the month of May. He was named NL Player of the Month, his fourth monthly award. Bagwell set a major league record with four doubles in one game against San Francisco on June 14. He appeared in all 162 games this year, batting 1.021, 31 home runs, 120 RBIs, 111 runs scored, and 135 walks. It was his first season with 21 successful stolen bases in 28 attempts, that is to take 20 bases while still hitting 20 home runs in the same season. Bagwell played 324 times in all but 11 games. With 48, he led the NL in doubles for his second All-Star pick and ninth in MVP voting.

During the 1996 season, rumors that boss Terry Collins did not get along well with Bagwell and Biggio, largely contributing to his dismissal. Larry Dierker, the Astros' team color commentator, was hired by the Astros after the season to replace him. Dierker was asked how he would treat the players during the interview, according to his autobiography, This Ain't Brain Surgery. His response: "I'm sick of this Bagwell and Biggio stuff," I said. 'Bagwell and Biggio will not be a problem,' says the author.' "I now agree that this is the one that cost me my job." Dierker as the team's manager for four of five seasons, but the Astros did not advance to the first round of the playoffs in either case, and 2001 was Dierker's last season as the club's manager.

In a 9-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, the 1,000th hit of Bagwell's career was a home run on May 20, 1997, off Calvin Maduro, one of his two sons. He was chosen to play in the All-Star Game. Bagwell was the first full-time first baseman to join the 30-30 club, surpassing the 1997 season with 31 steals in 41 attempts, demonstrating above-average speed and baserunning skills for a first baseman. Joe Carter, the only other first baseman to make it to the 30-30 club, was Joe Carter. Bagwell batted.286 runs and scored 109 runs. He came in second in the league with 43 home runs and 135 RBI — a career high — and third in MVP voting. For the first time in 1997, the Astros won the National League Central division, the club's first appearance in 11 years. In the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Astros defeated the Atlanta Braves, who swept them in three games. Bagwell, Biggio, and Bell were credited with two hits in 37 at bats.

Bagwell told a Houston Chronicle reporter in 1998 that he was using androstenedione (commonly called "andro"), which at the time the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated it as a nutritional supplement, finding it safe and legal for non-medicinal uses. It was described as a "weak" androgen steroid hormone and was apparently in a lot of use at the time, according to reports. In a 13-7 victory, Bagwell threw a career-high six RBI against Cincinnati on September 8, marking his first grand slam in history. It was his 218th home run in his career, putting his streak among active players without a grand slam on the longest stretch.

Bagwell finished his 1998 season with 34 home runs, 111 RBI, 124 runs scored, 19 stolen bases, 109 walks,.981 OPS. He ranked third in OPS+, fifth in OBP, and eighth in OPS. When winning the NL Central division championship, the Astros won a franchise-best 102 games, leading the way in runs scored. They lost in the NLDS to San Diego Padres, losing two straight against Kevin Brown, both by a 2–1 score. In this series, Bagwell, Bell, and Biggio hit six runs in 51 at bats.

In a commemoration on January 30, 1999, the high school that ruminated Bagwell, Xavier, officially retired his uniform number 9 in a commemoration. As the "Killer B" brand gained national fame, journalist Dayn Perry jokingly announced that the Astros used eight players whose last names began with "B," including Bagwell, Paul Bako, Glen Barker, Bell, Sean Bergman, Biggio, and Tim Bogar. In a 10–3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on April 21, Bagwell's second career three-home run game, he scored three home runs. At 224, he tied for the second home run leader, beating Wynn as the Astros' all-time home run leader at 225, and he tied for his best home run career with six RBI in a single game. Bagwell played another three-home run game against the Chicago White Sox on June 9, just shy of the "home run cycle." He was the first player to win this feat at two different stadiums in Chicago in the same season.

Bagwell was nominated for his fourth straight All-Star Game, and the Astros' runs had scored or driven in 28 percent, the most important part of a team's offense in which no one player in MLB has played. He was first in the NL in walks (83), runs scored (81) and SLG (.648), second in home runs (28), RBI (78), and SLG (.648), and stole 17 bases, while Houston tenanted percentage points behind Cincinnati for second place in the division. In a 16-inning contest against the Florida Marlins on August 20, 1999, he walked a major-league record six times.

Bagwell's 1999 season featured leading the major leagues in runs scored (143), bases on balls (149), and games played (162). He batted.304, 126 RBI,, 591 SLG, and stole 30 bases, his second appearance in the 1930s. In addition, he partnered with Barry Bonds as the only major leaguers to reach the 40-30 mark (40 home runs and 30 stolen bases) twice. In 1999, the Astros engulfed the Reds to clinch the NL Central division trophy for the third time in a row. They met Atlanta in a NLDS rematch two years ago, but they were defeated in four games. Bagwell came in second place in the NL MVP poll, second to Brave Braces' Chipper Jones. Bagwell was honoured with his third Silver Slugger Award of his career.

Sports Illustrated ranked Bagwell second among current major leaguers before the 2000 season, behind Ken Griffey Jr., and The Sporting News ranked him second among all players, including pitchers. In a 6–5 exhibition win over the New York Yankees, Bagwell christened the team's 2000 move to Enron Field (later renamed Minute Maid Park) with the stadium's first-ever strike and first two runs driven in. Travis Hoffman, a two-run, ninth-inning home run in San Diego, defeated Houston, 7–6, breaking a 10-game road losing streak. In a 14-7 victory in Philadelphia on August 14, he homered twice and tied a club record of seven RBI, which was shared by Rafael Ramrez and Pete Incaviglia. Bagwell returned twice to Milwaukee for his 299th and 300th birthday; the second home run beat Houston by 10–8 for the second straightaway tie. In his first ten seasons, Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, and Ted Williams became the fifth player in major league history to hit 300 home runs, 1,000 RBI, and 1,000 runs scored.

Bagwell's career ended with a career-high 47 home runs,.310 average,.615 SLG, and his second-best record for a 152 OPS+. His 152 runs scored in a season since Lou Gehrig's 1936 debut, and his 295 runs scored from 1999 to 2000 tied a National League two-season record. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has showcased his pair of cleats from the 2000 season. Bagwell and the Astros decided to a five-year, $85 million (USD, $133.7 million today) contract extension in December. He made the third-highest paid player in the game at $17 million per year. He was the seventh-highest paid actor in the game by 2005, earning $18 million in the fourth year.

Bagwell made his 700th extra base hit of his career against Chicago on May 7, 2001, with a triple. He hit seven RBI in a game for the second time in his career, tieing a club record — at Kansas City on July 7. Bagwell defeated Bagwell and totaled five home runs in that span, in four games in a row from July 8-13. He hit for the cycle in a match against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 18. When the Astros defeated the Astros 17–11, he went 4-for-5 with five RBI. After batting.333 with nine home runs and tying his own club record of 36 RBI in a month, beating the 34 RBI record in the previous August, he was named NL Player of the Month in July.

Bagwell collected his 100th RBI while home running against Pittsburgh on August 19, 2001. It was his sixth straight season in which he hit at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI, making him the eighth player to do so in MLB history, and the first Houston player to do so. He scored his 100th run against Pittsburgh, rejoining Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth as the only MLB players to have six seasons with six consecutive seasons of 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and 100 runs scored. Bagwell walked for his 100th birthday of the season on September 30 in Chicago, making him the first player in MLB history to have at least 30 home runs, 100 runs scored, 100 runs tagged, and 100 walks. In the NLDS, the Astros captured the NL Central division crown and faced the Atlanta Braves. Despite Bagwell's being at base in eight of 12 plate appearances by single or by walk, he did not score any runs, and the Braves swept the Astros in three games.

During the season, playing with good health until 2001, an explosive pain in his left shoulder started to develop. On October 26, 2001, Bagwell underwent surgery to remove bone spurs and resurrect a partially torn labrum. He also started to get arthritis in his right shoulder, which gradually aggravated and reduced his playing ability.

Bagwell worked hard on throwing in the first three months of the 2002 season; he hadn't fully recovered from shoulder surgery in the previous offseason. And after it soared, it was noticeably less stable than two years ago. He batted.349 with six home runs and 23 RBI in July. Stephen Rael, an 11-year-old bone cancer patient, told him he should get a home run for him before a game against the San Diego Padres on August 27, 2011. "I'm going to try, but I'm not Babe Ruth," Bagwell said. In the fifth inning, he hit a Mike Bynum pitch over the left field wall and pointed to the child in the stands as he approached third base. "I hit the home run, and he felt it was for him," he later said. I'm grateful for it. It made it special. Bagwell posted a season-high 15-game streak from August 10-23, marking the 12th straight season with at least one double-digit hit streak, a club record, and second to Roberto Alomar with 14 among all current players. He batted.343 in September with 11 multiple-hit games.

Bagwell's infield single gave him 2,000 hits for his career, the first Astro to reach this milestone in 3–2 loss to the Montreal Expos on April 26, 2003. Bagwell provided the assist for the final of a no-hitter and 8–0 victory over the Yankees on June 11. The final of a record six pitchers participating in the challenge was he scooped a ground ball batted from Hideki Matsui and relayed it to Billy Wagner, who was covering first base. Bagwell, who played for the Cincinnati Reds on July 20, 2003, hit two home runs for the 400th of his career, defeating Danny Graves for his 35th appearance in the league. In August 2003, ESPN's "The List" ranked Bagwell as the second-most underrated celebrity of the top four North American professional sports leagues, with Biggio placing second.

Bagwell tied for his sixth grand slam against Milwaukee on April 9, 2004, breaking a club record. On August 30, he collected his 200th base in his career while still hitting 400 home runs against Cincinnati, becoming the tenth player in MLB history to reach that mark despite hitting 400 home runs. In the third inning against the Brewers, Bagwell had his 1,500th appearance in his career, with a single. He homered for his 1,500th run scored on Sunday, becoming just the 29th player in MLB history and the first Astro to reach both milestones. Bagwell ended with 27 home runs, snaping an eight-year streak with at least 30 runs, but it was extending a streak of at least 20.

For the fourth time in Bagwell's career in the 2004 NLDS, the Astros faced the Braves in the playoffs. He faced Mike Hampton in the first inning of Game 3 in a 4–2 extra-inning loss on October 7. The Astros defeated the Braves in their first-ever playoff series victory, beating the Braves in 1999, 1999, and 2001) — three failed attempts to advance to the first round of the playoffs earlier in Bagwell's career (1997, 1999, and 2001) — and seven overall in 43 years of franchise history. The quartet, nicknamed the "Killer B's" this time, exploded the Astros' offense, hitting.395 (34-for-86) with eight home runs, 21 RBI, and 24 runs scored. In all, the Astros scored an NLDS-record 36 runs, while Bagwell batted.318 with two home runs and five RBI. The Cardinals defeated Bagwell in their first National League Championship Series (NLCS). To advance to the World Series, St. Louis defeated Houston in seven games.

Bagwell and Biggio were inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in February 2005. The persistent arthritic disease in his shoulder, which had started in 2001, had him outright, keeping him inactive for three quarters of the season. With a limited throwing arm, the former Gold Glove winner was now a defensive liability; he had to "push" the ball rather than throwing it. Teams have started profiting from his defensive inefficiencies. Bagwell found it difficult to practice with the other infielders between innings after being able to throw out the lead runner at third base ahead of bunt plays.

Bagwell's offensive debut suffered, and pressure on Astros leadership to ban the perennial All-Star; the club had started the season with a 15-32 win–loss record. On April 29, he faced Maddux in his last major league home run, tying him for the most against a pitcher with seven outs. Bagwell continued to suffer through the pain until, after going 0-for-5 in a loss to the Pirates on May 4, he told manager Phil Garner that he would withdraw him from the lineup the following day. In 88 at-bats, he had only.250 with three home runs. A few days later, the Astros put him on the disabled list, and shoulder surgery followed.

The Astros soared from a poor start to finish 74-43 in their final 117 games and capture the NL wild card. Bagwell was activated as a pinch hitter in September and had a pivotal role in the team's triumphant run to capture their first-ever National League pennant and World Series appearance, with Rendered unable to throw from his surgery. In addition, the Astros won the pennant against their division rival St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, reversing the season's tumultuous play against the Cardinals.

Bagwell and Biggio appeared in their first World Series together in Houston, where they had been playing 4,714 games and their entire major league careers together. Bagwell was the Astros' designated hitter in the first two games against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, and was a pinch hitter in the two games played in Houston at Minute Maid Park. In Game 4, he pinch-hit for pitcher Brandon Backe and grounded out for his last major league plate appearance. The White Sox dominated this competition to sweep the Astros and win the championship. The White Sox defeated the Astros by six runs, the lowest scoring difference in World Series history.

Since the 2005 season, Bagwell and Biggio received the Baseball America Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Astros announced on January 23, 2006, that they would file a lawsuit on Bagwell's health, bringing over $15.6 million of the $17 million in salary owed to him for the 2006 season. Dr. James Andrews, an orthopedic surgeon, had performed a physical exam on Bagwell and discovered he had been "completely disabled" and was unable to play baseball again. The Astros could not release him without breaking their deal, nor could he play. He has effectively ended his chances of playing in the Major Leagues again. Cigna denied the allegation on March 28, arguing that since Bagwell had been active during the 2005 World Series, he would not have become more limited during the offseason's baseball inactivity.

However, Bagwell returned to spring training in the hopes of being involved in some way during the forthcoming 2006 race, as well as testing the injured shoulder. The Astros' insurance claim was put into greater doubt by his mere presence in camp, causing a tense match between the player and the team. He appeared in numerous games, batting.219 with two RBIs. As the other infielders shifted toward him, he never had to make any difficult throws that would put significant strain on his shoulder. In late March, the Astros placed him on the 15-day disabled list, as expected. Bagwell admitted that he was only in good enough shape to play every few days rather than every day. He was eventually paid the full amount of his salary. The Astros and the insurance company settled the lawsuit in a private contract on the day he announced his resignation.

The Astros were unable to select Bagwell's $18 million club option for 2007, deciding against it out for $7 million. He applied for a free agency in November 2006 but only a month later. Dr. Dayton McLane and general manager Tim Purpura reported that he would remain in the Astros' player growth team as one of the assistants to the general manager.

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