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.
Text from @rogerclemens on Bagwell to HOF: "Oh yeah #5!!! Jeff's career reaches far beyond the Hall. A great teammate!
— Randy McIlvoy (@KPRC2RandyMc) January 18, 2017
Congrats!
-Rocket-
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