http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/760 Recent articles about Jeff Bagwell en-us The Houston Astros announced today that on Sunday afternoon, August 17, the organization will retire the No. 7 worn by seven-time All-Star Craig Biggio in a pre-game ceremony before the Astros-Diamondbacks game. The announcement was made by Astros Chairman and CEO Drayton McLane. Biggio becomes the ninth Houston player to have his number retired, joining Jim Umbricht (32), Don Wilson (40), Jose Cruz (25), Mike Scott (33), Nolan Ryan (34), Larry Dierker (49), Jimmy Wynn (24), and Jeff Bagwell (5). Additionally, Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 has been retired by all 30 Major League clubs in honor of his contributions to the game, meaning Biggio’s No. 7 becomes the 10th number overall retired by the Astros franchise. The 42-year-old Biggio is currently in his first season as a special assistant to General Manager Ed Wade. The agreement between Craig and the Astros was announced on February 11, 2008. He was also named head baseball coach at St. Thomas High School in Houston on May 19. Jersey retirement ceremonies will begin at 12:20 PM on Sunday, with Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton serving as Master of Ceremonies. Bagwell, Cruz, Dierker, Scott, and Wynn are all scheduled to attend Sunday’s event. Other expected attendees include former Astros second baseman Bill Doran and current Astros Special Assistant to the General Manager Matt Galante, who is on the scheduled list of speakers for the event, along with McLane, Bagwell, and Craig and Patty Biggio’s oldest son, Conor Biggio. Craig’s mother Johnna and brother Terry will also be in attendance, along with the Biggio’s other two children, son Cavan and daughter Quinn. Nancy Caminiti, wife of former Astro Ken Caminiti, is also scheduled to attend with her three daughters, Kendall, Lindsey, and Nicole. Additionally, Biggio and Bagwell’s longtime agent, Barry Axelrod, will attend the ceremony. Astros Director of Team Travel Barry Waters and Clubhouse Manager Dennis Liborio, both of whom are in their 29th season with the club, will also be on the field for the ceremony. In addition to his jersey No. 7 being unveiled alongside the other former honorees on the display above the right field scoreboard, the Astros will present Biggio with a special gift. There will also be a tribute video shown on the SmartVision video board before the No. 7 is unveiled. All fans in attendance on Sunday will receive a special Craig Biggio Jersey Retirement Pin, courtesy of AT T. A commemorative Astros Magazine and other merchandise related to the event will also be available at the ballpark on Sunday. Since the early 1990s, Biggio has served as the main spokesperson for The Sunshine Kids, a support organization for children with cancer and their families. Frankie Velazquez, a young man whom Biggio met through his work with The Sunshine Kids, is also expected to attend the ceremony on behalf of the organization.Select Read More (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=2402 Itemid=1) to see information more information on Craig Biggio Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:10:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/306110 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/306110 The FBHOF explores the storied tradition of first base. From Cecil Cooper to Don Mattingly and Frank Thomas to Albert Pujols, first base has perennially been the premier power position of fantasy baseball. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:56:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300590 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300590 In the fifth installment of a series investigating statistical trends over the past 3 decades, the Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame reviews stolen bases. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:41:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286228 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286228 The Baseball Lab presents the third installment of a five part series investigating the 25 greatest fantasy baseball seasons since 1980, the year before Roto-Baseball was invented. The 11th through 16th best feature some unlovable characters and one of the most underrated players in recent memory. Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:29:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/39791 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/39791 I usually don't write baseball articles, as I pretty much ceased being a fan shortly after the 1981 strike. Since that time I have attended at total of 4 games in Houston and 2 of those were to bring my sons so that they would at least have the chance to experience a Major League game. In fact I very rarely even watch a game on TV or spend much time on the sports highlights as I was simply totally turned off by the players arrogance in their feelings of going on strike. That being said, I just felt compelled to write an article on the most recent Astro to retire, as I feel that while I didn't see a lot of Craig Biggio's career, in this writers opinion, he is definitely what would be called a "throw-back" player, one who would have excelled no matter which decade he played in. Let's look at some of "Bige's" (Houston area nick-name) numbers. 3060, now that is a nice ROUND number, isn't it. This is the number of hits that Biggio ended his career with. It is a number that Houston Astro fans will remember for generations. Craig is the first Astro to reach this milestone, and probably the last for at least 20 years or so. The 3060 hits placed him 20th in MLB history and he will more than likely occupy that spot for the next 5-10 years, as the next active player Barry "roids" Bonds is 135 hits away, and not likely to get that number, as it has been 4 years since he got that many hits in a season, failing to even reach 100 the past 2 seasons. 668, this is the number of doubles that Craig finished his career with. This number rank 5th all time trailing only Tris speaker, Pete Rose, Stan Musial and Ty Cobb. Craig is the only strictly right-handed hitter in the top 5, Rose was a switch hitter and the 3 were lefties. Again, this spot in the record book is safe for quite a while as the next active is Bond at 601 and then Luis Gonzales is at number 20, 98 doubles away and he is 39 years old. Biggio also finished his career with a .281 batting average. 285, there are several record books that have him second all time in the hit by pitch category having being "plunked" 285 times. The all-time record, according to baseball reference.com is 287 by Hughie Jennings who played in the 1880's; yea those stats are really verifiable aren't they. It is amazing that he could be hit that many times and still survive 20 year career, but he did, which is what made Biggio Biggio. He made the All Star team 9 times at 2 different positions, catcher, which is what he was when he came up as a rookie and then as a second baseman, for which he excelled for many years winning 4 straight golden glove awards from 1994-97. Craig is the only player in MLB history to make the All Star team at these positions. Then after 14 years in the major's he realized that the Astros best chance to win a championship was for them to sign Jeff Kent who was also a second baseman, Biggio readily moved to the outfield to allow Kent to play second. After 18 seasons it was beginning to look like Biggio and his teammate and best friend of 15 seasons, Jeff Bagwell were never going to make it to the World Series, this goal was finally realized in 2005, when the Astros made the playoff on the final day of the season as the wild card. Their playoff run started with a 3 games to 1 defeat of their longtime nemesis the Atlanta Braves. This lead to a NLCS match-up against fellow divisional winner the St. Louis Cardinals and Astro Basher Albert Pujols, once again the Astros did the improbable and defeated the vaunted Cardinals 4 games to 2 and it was one to the franchises first World Series appearance against the Chicago White Sox, where the dream came to a crashing halt, as the 'stros were swept by the White Sox in 4 straight games. Teaming with Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman and Derrick Bell, they earned the nick-name the Killer B's for their clutch hitting as well as their last name. Biggio was the leader of this group, as it was his tenacity, grit and determination at the leadoff spot that drove the Astros train. Biggio was as durable as he was consistent, playing in at least 130 games in 18 of his 20 seasons. The only two seasons Craig did not play in that many was in 2000 when a sever knee injury August 1st put him on the shelf and then in the strike season of 1994 when he played in 114 of the 115 the team played. In his final game against the Atlanta Braves during the ceremony to honor his career Biggio stated "I want to thank the fans for accepting me here in the state of Texas for the last 20 years," Biggio said. "People ask me why I play the game the way I do. It's because you guys expect it. I love you. I'm going to miss you very, very, very much." The one thing that Craig participates in that doesn't get a lot of attention is that he is a very active member of the Sunshine Kids. The Sunshine Kids is an organization that provides pediatric cancer patients opportunities to participate in positive group activities which promoted self-esteem, personal accomplishment and just plain old fashioned fun! Every season Craig brings a group of these children to the ball park to allow them the chance to get on the field, meet their heroes and be able to feel like a normal child, if just for a few hours. If there is one thing that deserves to be put immediately into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in which I am certain Craig, will be inducted into in 2012, it would have to be his on the field trademark. Through it all Craig's trademark has been his batting helmet on which he puts pine tar, dirt, and more pine tar on his batting helmet...and he likes it that way. In closing I just want to say, Thank You Craig, you provided millions and millions a vision of the way the game of baseball is suppose to be played you represented the Houston area with a style that won't be seen again for a long time. You left a legend behind. Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:40:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/30000 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/30000 The Houston Astros retired Jeff Bagwell's jersey on Sunday, just before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bagwell played his entire 15 year career in the Majors with the Astros. He entered the league in 1991 and ended his career with 449 homeruns and a .297 average. Bagwell is the eighth former Astro to have his number retired.The others are Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker, Jose Cruz, Don Wilson and Jim Umbricht. Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:43:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/24968 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/24968 Pics of some of the better beards in MLB History. From Sutter to Spaceman to Piazza's wife. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:31:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/16167 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/16167 Attack Barry Bonds if you like. Boo him incessantly, applaud his failed swings and rejoice in every strike that reaches Brad Ausmus' mitt. Chant "Steroids! Steroids! Steroids!" every time he steps into the on-deck circle at Minute Maid Park this week. If you're at home, throw popcorn at the television and tell your kids how much of a low-life cheater Bonds is. Dial radio sports talk shows and call Bonds every name you can squeeze into a rant without bringing the FCC down on you. Thu, 17 May 2007 10:40:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/14235 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/14235 Jeff Bagwell, arguably the greatest player in Astros history and fantasy monster in his day, is expected to announce his retirement from baseball at a news conference that has been scheduled for this morning at Minute Maid Park. Too bad he didn't really go out on top...I will forever remeber him affectionately as "Bagpipes", and the nickname he spawned, "Magpipes" for Magglio Ordonez...that when you know you've got clout, when you're so good that your nickname is adapted for other poeple...i.e A-Rod, K-Rod. Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:47:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/6884 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/6884 With the apparent official retirement of Jeff Bagwell on the way I decided to take a look at his stats and assess whether I personally believe he is deserving of the Hall of Fame. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 17:37:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/6663 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/6663 After reading Donald Fehr's comments about Mark McGwire and Hall of Fame voting, I couldn't stop thinking about what he said, and what it meant. Why should people vote in, or more to the point, not vote in a player? Is it fair to consider aspects of that player outside of what they did on the field? That's the question that every writer with a Hall of Fame vote (and many without) is asking themselves. I, of course, have no vote, but I do have an opinion and a theory about the matter. The use of steroids (or any performance enhancing drug, PED) is reprehensible both morally and professionally. It overlaps the line between personal vice and professional ethics. To be as clear as possible, I believe that the use of any PED is simply wrong. It contaminates the game and affects the historical record. But when there is no proof of PED use, and no precedence of excluding players based on suspicion or evidence of "cheating", you have to fall back on the decades of precedence that are there. [click through the link to read the full article] Mon, 11 Dec 2006 07:58:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/6572 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/6572 Jeff Bagwell and the Astros officially called it a day. Houston declined to pickup Bagwell's option (no surprise) and although he says he's not finished yet, it's highly unlikely he'll head somewhere else to resume his playing career. Fri, 03 Nov 2006 04:31:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/4429 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/4429 Leave it to Bill James to be the creator of a stat I've never heard of. "Triple Milestones is the term used for player seasons that include a .300 average, 100 RBI's and 30 home runs. Bill James refers to such campaigns as "Hall of Fame Seasons" in his Abstracts, because all eligible players with five or more such seasons are in the Hall of Fame." 5 players accomplished the feat this season. One of them being Lance Berkman, who is one of only 4 players in the organization's history to have done it. He's done it three times now. Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:23:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/4304 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/4304 Check out the link for a list of the best players in every franchises history. I think it's pretty well done, although there are three names I'm not sure if I agree with. It's probably controversial, but I would put Larry Walker ahead of Todd Helton as the greatest Rockie of all time. He was the face of the organization for just as long as Helton has been and is one of few rockies who have had success on other teams, outside of the thin air of colorado. Had I been asked this two years ago, I would have said Helton easily, but that would have been before two well below average seasons. I would have chosen Helton because unlike Walker, he had been just as good but never missed any time or saw a decrease in production because of injury. That's no longer the case so I believe it comes down to who had the greatest Rockie season ever and who was on the only Colorado team to ever make the playoffs. The answer to both is Larry Walker. Larry Walker (1997) - .366 AVG, 49 HR, 143 R, 130 RBI, 33 SB Todd Helton (2000) - .372 AVG, 42 HR, 138 R, 147 RBI, 5 SB I'd also go with Biggio instead of Bagwell as the Astros best, although Nolan Ryan could easily go there as well. In the end, when Biggio finally retires, I think he's going to work his way into the Hall of Fame. Bagwell probably won't. If that's the case, how can you not say Biggio over Bags. It doesn't matter much now because in ten years I think Lance Berkman will be remembered as Houston's best player. Andre Dawson was great, but his yearly montreal numbers don't compare to those of Vlad. They both brought a cannon arm and a serious bat, but in the end, Vlad's numbers per season with the Expos were just much, much better. I'm curious to hear what others think. Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:30:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/915 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/915 Dayn Perry wrote this article on the heels of the Reds/Nats trade that has everyone questioning what exactly the reds were thinking. Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:34:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/663 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/663