In typical Jeff Bagwell fashion, there was little fanfare and few emotions.
Bagwell, arguably the greatest player in Astros history, announced his retirement from baseball at a press conference this morning, ending a terrific 15-year career that could wind up getting him into the Hall of Fame.
“It’s been a long journey, but it’s been a great ride,” Bagwell said. “It really has.”
Bagwell’s retirement has been expected since his badright shoulder forced him off the field during spring training earlier this year. He never played in the regular season, and the Astros didn’t pick up his contract for 2007.
“I wish I could still play and try to win a World Series here in Houston but I’m not physically able to do that anymore,” he said. “That being said, I’m OK with that. Most of you that know me know I had a tough time the last four or five years with my shoulder, which took a lot out of me on and off the field.”
Bagwell will remain an integral part of the organization. He signed a personal services contract through the 2009 season in which he will work with the major league baseball operations staff and player development.
“For me personally, this is a sad day to see officially that Jeff is not going to be part of the Houston Astros playing first base and hitting home runs,” Astros owner Drayton McLane said. “He’s going to be continued to be involved with us. I think there’s more great things to come with Jeff Bagwell and the Houston Astros.”
Bagwell, 38, is a career .297 hitter with 449 home runs, 1,529 RBIs and 202 steals in 2,150 games. The 1991 National League Rookie of the Year and 1994 NL Most Valuable Player, he is the only first baseman and one of only 10 players to hit 400 homers and steal 200 bases.
The news of Bagwell’s retirement was felt in City Hall.
“The greatest hitter in Astros history may have hung up his spikes, but his home run trot keeps replaying in our best baseball memories,” mayor Bill White said in a statement. “As a ballplayer, a team leader and a great community-minded Houstonian we all appreciate having been witness to his career here. We look forward to his continued presence with our team, in our city . . . and in the Hall of Fame.”
Bothered by an arthritic right shoulder since 2001, Bagwell decided to have surgery midway through the 2005 season – a move he said was a last-ditch effort to save his career.
He returned to a pinch-hitting role later that season and started two games at designated hitter for the Astros in the 2005 World Series, but missed all of last season after not being able to endure spring training.
The Astros will head to court next year over the insurance claim they filed to recoup $15.6 million of his $17 million salary for 2006 because Bagwell was deemed disabled. Bagwell will receive a $7 million buyout for 2007.
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