Astros' Jeff Bagwell elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

HOUSTON – Houston Astros slugger Jeff Bagwell was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his seventh time on the ballot.

Bagwell earned 86.2 percent of the vote, easily surpassing the 75 percent threshold. 

He becomes the second Astros player elected into the Hall of Fame, following Craig Biggio who was inducted in 2015.

Joining Bagwell in the class of 2017 are Tim Raines, in his 10th and final year of eligibility, who gained election with 86.0 percent, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who had 76.0 percent of the vote in his first year of eligibility.

Induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 30, in Cooperstown, New York.

Bagwell increased from 41.7 percent in 2011 to 71.6 percent last year, falling 15 votes short when Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza were elected. 

[PHOTOS: Astros 1B Jeff Bagwell through the years]

"I just want to get it over with," Bagwell said earlier this week. "This is the first year I've kind of been keeping track of it and just kind of looking. So I'm excited about it."

Bagwell was named the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991. He won the NL MVP and a Gold Glove Award in 1994. He was a four-time All-Star and won three Silver Slugger awards.

"On behalf of the Astros organization, I'd like to congratulate Jeff Bagwell on being voted into the Hall of Fame," said Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane. "When Jeff played here, a sign was posted in the weight room that read  'Bagwell’s Gym, Work Hard, Play Hard or Leave.’ That reveals a great deal about what he was all about. Throughout his career, Jeff worked extremely hard to become great a player. He was a winner and an outstanding representative of the Houston Astros and of the City of Houston. We were thrilled when Craig Biggio was voted into the Hall two years ago, and now we are ecstatic that Jeff will be joining him this year. This is an exciting day for the Astros and for our great fans."

[WATCH: Bagwell speaks after election to Hall of Fame]

"It is great day for Jeff Bagwell, the Astros organization and Astros fans everywhere," said Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan. "Jeff's numbers stand alone. He played the game with grit, determination and a drive to win that few players ever know. This Hall of Fame induction is the fitting tribute to one of the game's great players. Congrats, Baggy, on a well-deserved honor."

Congrats, Jeff Bagwell! The 2nd Houston Astros player to get the call to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum! MORE ---> http://bit.ly/2k1z5SU

Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Wednesday, January 18, 2017

The team said there will be a Jeff Bagwell Hall of Fame rally at 5 p.m. Monday at Minute Maid Park, with doors opening at 3 p.m.

Trevor Hoffman (74.0 percent) and Vladimir Guerrero (71.7 percent) fell just short of the threshold.

Former Astros' Jeff Kent (16.7%) and Billy Wagner (10.2%) will be back on next year's ballot since they earned more than 5 percent.

There is also the cloud of steroids hovering around Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. While both have been gaining more support over the last few years, both fell short of the 75 percent of the vote needed -- Clemens had 54.1 percent of the vote, while Bonds had 53.8 percent.

Bonds was indicted on charges he lied to a grand jury in 2003 when he denied using PEDs. But a jury failed to reach a verdict on three counts he made false statements and convicted him on one obstruction of justice count. The conviction was overturned appeal in 2015.

Clemens was acquitted on one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements to Congress and two counts of perjury, all stemming from his denials of drug use.

Reaction from others:

“What a great day for Jeff, his family, the Astros and the fans. He was an amazing player and a very special guy to play with. He put up incredible numbers offensively, but he was also a smart player, a really good defensive player, a great baserunner and he played the game the right way. I’m so very proud to have played with him for so many years. We were able to change the culture in Houston. Our goal was to win, and Baggy was a major reason for our success. Congrats, my  friend. I cannot say how elated I am for you and your family. This is a day you will never forget. Enjoy every minute of it.”
-Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Bagwell’s teammate in Houston for 15 seasons

“This is long overdue. Jeff is one of the top, three or four players that I every played with or against. When I think of Baggy, I think of two things. The first is ‘professional.’ He came to play every day and never took an at-bat off. You can’t say that about everyone. The second thing I think if is what a complete player he was. He was an amazing fielder and baserunner and had an innate grasp of the fine nuances of the game. He was the total baseball player.”
-Astros teammate Lance Berkman

“Jeff played hard every day, and played the game the way it was supposed to be played.  He was one of the greatest players of his era!”
-Astros Executive Advisor and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan

“Baggy’s career reaches far beyond the Hall. He was a fantastic teammate. Congrats, #5! Oh yeah!”
-Former teammate and Seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens

“Baggy had a huge influence on me as a player. He wasn’t really outspoken in the clubhouse or on the field but he spoke volumes with how he played. His respect for the game and teammates was exemplified by how hard he played everyday.”
-Former teammate and current Astros broadcaster Geoff Blum

“I’m so happy and proud for Baggy, our organization, and the fans who loved watching him play. His career was more than Hall of Fame caliber and to see him recognized alongside the greats or our game is simply awesome. Congrats, Baggy!”
-Astros manager A.J. Hinch

“The Hall of Fame often focuses heavily on offensive statistics to determine worthiness.  Baggy was much more than his great run-producing statistics. He was a great base runner, Gold Glove defender, and an All-Star teammate. He is the complete Hall of Fame player. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
-Former teammate and current Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus

“Congrats to Bags and his family on being elected to the Hall of Fame today. I got to know Jeff over the first few years of my career and always appreciated the way he played the game. He was a true leader who earned the respect of his opponents as well as his teammates. Congrats, brother, you’ve earned it.”
-All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols

“Jeff Bagwell stood out as the complete player. He provided power, on-base average and timely hits. He also ran the bases in expert fashion and fielded with the utmost skill, attempting plays that other first basemen could not make. He was one of the most intelligent players in the game. He was the complete package.”
-Longtime Astros broadcaster Bill Brown, who called all of Bagwell’s 15 seasons in Houston

“Jeff was one of the best players in the game for many years and is very deserving of joining this exclusive club.  The Astros are blessed to have two Hall of Famers play their entire careers with the same team in the same era.”
-Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow

JEFF BAGWELL’S CAREER STATISTICS

Year    Tm      G        PA      AB      R       H        2B     3B     HR   RBI   SB    CS  BB   SO   BA     OBP  SLG   OPS  HBP    SF    IBB  Awards

1991    HOU    156     650     554      79     163    26      4        15     82      7       4     75    116  .294   .387   .437   .824   13       7      5      RoY-1

1992    HOU    162     697     586      87     160    34      6        18     96      10     6     84    97    .273   .368   .444   .812   12       13    13    MVP-19

1993    HOU    142     609     535      76     171    37      4        20     88      13     4     62    73    .320   .388   .516   .903   3         9      6      MVP-20

1994    HOU    110     479     400      104   147    32      2        39     116    15     4     65    65    .368   .451   .750   1.201 4         10    14    AS,MVP-1,GG,SS

1995    HOU    114     539     448      88     130    29      0        21     87      12     5     79    102  .290   .399   .496   .894   6         6      12    MVP-15

1996    HOU    162     719     568      111   179    48      2        31     120    21     7     135  114  .315   .451   .570   1.021 10       6      20    AS,MVP-9

1997    HOU    162     717     566      109   162    40      2        43     135    31     10   127  122  .286   .425   .592   1.017 16       8      27    AS,MVP-3,SS

1998    HOU    147     661     540      124   164    33      1        34     111    19     7     109  90    .304   .424   .557   .981   7         5      8     

1999    HOU    162     729     562      143   171    35      0        42     126    30     11   149  127  .304   .454   .591   1.045 11       7      16    AS,MVP-2,SS

2000    HOU    159     719     590      152   183    37      1        47     132    9       6     107  116  .310   .424   .615   1.039 15       7      11    MVP-7

2001    HOU    161     717     600      126   173    43      4        39     130    11     3     106  135  .288   .397   .568   .966   6         5      5      MVP-7

2002    HOU    158     691     571      94     166    33      2        31     98      7       3     101  130  .291   .401   .518   .919   10       9      8     

2003    HOU    160     702     605      109   168    28      2        39     100    11     4     88    119  .278   .373   .524   .897   6         3      3      MVP-14

2004    HOU    156     679     572      104   152    29      2        27     89      6       4     96    131  .266   .377   .465   .842   8         3      6     

2005    HOU    39       123     100      11     25      4        0        3       19      0       0     18    21    .250   .358   .380   .738   1         4      1              

 

15 Yrs             2150   9431   7797    1517 2314  488    32      449   1529  202   78   1401 1558 .297   .408   .540   .948   128     102  155