Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is an American Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. He was born on the same day as the Chicago White Sox player Frank Thomas.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bagwell went to the University of Hartford.
Originally drafted in 1989 by the Boston Red Sox, the next year he was traded to the Houston Astros for relief pitcher Larry Andersen ; a trade regarded as one of the most one-sided of all time as Andersen subsequently became a free agent and left the Red Sox, while Bagwell became one of the most respected players in the Astros' history. Bagwell has been with Houston ever since, and along with teammate Craig Biggio, was virtually synonymous with the Astros in the 1990s.
Developed as a third baseman, Bagwell was shifted to first base during 1991 spring training as the Astros already had an established third baseman in Ken Caminiti. He enjoyed his major league debut on opening day and was named the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year. His peak year may have been 1994, when he was unanimously named National League MVP, after batting for .368, with 39 home runs, 116 runs batted in and 104 runs scored, in a strike-shortened season. He also enjoyed notable seasons between 1996 and 2002, batting for .278, 43, 135 in 2003.
Jeff Bagwell throws and hits right-handed, and has had 14 years of experience. He is considered one of the more powerful hitters in the major leagues, having hit at least 31 home runs every year from 1996 through 2003. As of the end of the 2004 season, his career batting average is .297, with 446 homers, 1510 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .542. Currently, his salary is $13,000,000.
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Last updated: 08-24-2005 18:25:35
