Jeff Bagwell Retires-Should He be in the Hall of Fame

[erpowers]

Today Jeff Bagwell announced he would retire from playing baseball. Now that he has retired their may be some talk about whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame. I contend he should not be elected to the Hall of Fame. I will admit that I do not know a great deal about baseball stats, but I do not see what Bagwell did that would qualify him for the Hall of Fame. I know he was the leading hitter or home run hitter for the Houston Astros. However, in comparison with other players were his number that great? So, does he belong in the Hall of Fame?

[PDittie]

1. Should be on the first ballot.

Probably won't be, though, due to various things like playing in a small market, not hitting .300, not having 500 home runs.

In 15 seasons, he hit .297/.408/.540 with 449 homers, 1,529 RBI and 1,517 runs scored. His OPS ranks 24th all-time, and much of his production came in the Astrodome, a pitcher's park.

Over a two-season span in 1999-2000, he hit 89 homers, scored 295 runs and drove in 262. His 152 runs in 2000 is the highest total anyone's managed since Lou Gehrig in 1936.

He was at his absolute best in 1994, hitting .368/.451/.750 with 116 RBI in 110 games before a broken hand ended his season even before the strike could. He was the unanimous MVP that year anyway, and he also finished second in 1999 and third in 1997.

Jeff Bagwell is a Hall of Fame-worthy, no question.

[Counciltucky]

2. Absolutely.

Don't know if he should on the first ballot, but if I were a voter he'd get my vote.