March 25, 2006, 1:44PM
Bagwell headed to disabled list for season's start
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
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-->KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Jeff Bagwell, the Astros’ all-time leader in home runs and RBIs, said today he will start the season on the disabled list and isn't sure if he'll return this year. "I may never play again," he said. "It's been 15 years with the Astros. I have to do what's best for me, what's best for the Astros and best for baseball."
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Bagwell, who is set to earn $17 million this year in the final season of his contract, has spent spring training trying to prove that he could still play despite a chronically injured right shoulder. "I came down to spring training to see if I could still make it as a first baseman with the Astros," he said. "There were times in the offseason where I felt like I could do this. But with the condition of my shoulder, I'm not going to be able to start the season with the Astros."
"There’s no other option," Bagwell said. "So I can’t feel bad about that. I did what I wanted to do. I came to see if could play. It just didn’t work out."
For Bagwell’s friends and followers, today is rough.
“It’s a sad, sad day,” Astros owner Drayton McLane said.
Bagwell’s agent agreed.
“I think this is just one of a whole bunch of sad days that have gone on since the World Series,” Bagwell’s longtime agent, Barry Axelrod, said via phone from Arizona. “It’s been just one of several sad days.”
Deeming him a disabled player, the Astros filed an insurance claim in January to recoup $15.6 million of Bagwell’s salary this year. For the Astros to recoup, Bagwell must remain on the disabled list all year.
He said he would consult a doctor to see if it will be beneficial to remove bone spurs from his shoulder. "There's a chance they could not do it," he said of the surgery. "You have to do everything you can to try and play. If not, you'll be kicking yourself."
Doctors hired by the Astros to examine Bagwell told the club that Bagwell's shoulder was still damaged and that the team could no longer expect him to be productive. "I'm going to be honest with myself," Bagwell said. "I'm going to be honest with the Astros. I'm out here in the condition where I can only play once every few days, and that's not what I'm out here to do."
Bagwell made his announcement at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla. McLane arrived in camp this morning.
Bagwell, 37, was acquired by the Astros on Aug. 31, 1990, in a trade with the Boston Red Sox.
The next year, he was the National League Rookie of the Year. By 1994, he was the NL Player of the Year.
A leader in the clubhouse, Bagwell gained respect throughout baseball for more than his franchise record 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs.
Astros manager Phil Garner said he appreciated all Bagwell has done for the team.
"I can't imagine what the Houston Astros would have been the past 15 years without Jeff Bagwell on this ballclub," Garner said. "He made the Houston Astros what they are today."
Knowing the franchise preferred he’d stay away, Bagwell arrived in camp hoping to see if he could still play.
“In that sense I don’t feel bad,” he said. “I accomplished what I wanted to do. I wanted to see if I could do it. I’m OK with that. I’m in a good place.”
Nonetheless, for more than a week, Bagwell has made it clear he was at peace with the potential of never playing again. He vows to shift his focus to his wife Ericka and their two daughters, Bryce Alycia, 5, and Blake Alexia, 3.
A career .297 hitter, Bagwell missed 115 games while on the disabled list last year and finishing the season hitting .250 with four doubles and three home runs last year over 39 games.
He played his last game in the field last May 3 and landed on the disabled list a week later. He underwent capsular release surgery in his right shoulder in June and rushed his rehab to come off the disabled list in September.
Added to the postseason roster, Bagwell served as a pinch hitter in the Division Series and National League Championship Series before serving as the designated hitter in the first two games of the World Series. Lance Berkman will move to first base to replace Bagwell, which means more playing time in the outfield for postseason stars Jason Lane and Chris Burke.
While Bagwell left open the possibility of a return, Garner's comments sounded like he doesn't expect him to play again.
"I've been an Astros player and now an Astros manager, and I celebrate Jeff's career," Garner said. "But I also celebrate the fact that he has his health, his family and he can enjoy what makes life really great."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bagwell headed to disabled list for season's start
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
<!-- commented out ad <iframe width="1" height="1" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder=0 scrolling=no></iframe> <script></script>
-->KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Jeff Bagwell, the Astros’ all-time leader in home runs and RBIs, said today he will start the season on the disabled list and isn't sure if he'll return this year. "I may never play again," he said. "It's been 15 years with the Astros. I have to do what's best for me, what's best for the Astros and best for baseball."
<!-- adPro.mpl: (/disp/story.mpl/front) (elapsed 0.219 milli) (Sat Mar 25 14:04:46 2006) --><!-- DART AdSpace 300x250 - News - Top Story --><!-- /DART AdSpace -->
Bagwell, who is set to earn $17 million this year in the final season of his contract, has spent spring training trying to prove that he could still play despite a chronically injured right shoulder. "I came down to spring training to see if I could still make it as a first baseman with the Astros," he said. "There were times in the offseason where I felt like I could do this. But with the condition of my shoulder, I'm not going to be able to start the season with the Astros."
"There’s no other option," Bagwell said. "So I can’t feel bad about that. I did what I wanted to do. I came to see if could play. It just didn’t work out."
For Bagwell’s friends and followers, today is rough.
“It’s a sad, sad day,” Astros owner Drayton McLane said.
Bagwell’s agent agreed.
“I think this is just one of a whole bunch of sad days that have gone on since the World Series,” Bagwell’s longtime agent, Barry Axelrod, said via phone from Arizona. “It’s been just one of several sad days.”
Deeming him a disabled player, the Astros filed an insurance claim in January to recoup $15.6 million of Bagwell’s salary this year. For the Astros to recoup, Bagwell must remain on the disabled list all year.
He said he would consult a doctor to see if it will be beneficial to remove bone spurs from his shoulder. "There's a chance they could not do it," he said of the surgery. "You have to do everything you can to try and play. If not, you'll be kicking yourself."
Doctors hired by the Astros to examine Bagwell told the club that Bagwell's shoulder was still damaged and that the team could no longer expect him to be productive. "I'm going to be honest with myself," Bagwell said. "I'm going to be honest with the Astros. I'm out here in the condition where I can only play once every few days, and that's not what I'm out here to do."
Bagwell made his announcement at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla. McLane arrived in camp this morning.
Bagwell, 37, was acquired by the Astros on Aug. 31, 1990, in a trade with the Boston Red Sox.
The next year, he was the National League Rookie of the Year. By 1994, he was the NL Player of the Year.
A leader in the clubhouse, Bagwell gained respect throughout baseball for more than his franchise record 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs.
Astros manager Phil Garner said he appreciated all Bagwell has done for the team.
"I can't imagine what the Houston Astros would have been the past 15 years without Jeff Bagwell on this ballclub," Garner said. "He made the Houston Astros what they are today."
Knowing the franchise preferred he’d stay away, Bagwell arrived in camp hoping to see if he could still play.
“In that sense I don’t feel bad,” he said. “I accomplished what I wanted to do. I wanted to see if I could do it. I’m OK with that. I’m in a good place.”
Nonetheless, for more than a week, Bagwell has made it clear he was at peace with the potential of never playing again. He vows to shift his focus to his wife Ericka and their two daughters, Bryce Alycia, 5, and Blake Alexia, 3.
A career .297 hitter, Bagwell missed 115 games while on the disabled list last year and finishing the season hitting .250 with four doubles and three home runs last year over 39 games.
He played his last game in the field last May 3 and landed on the disabled list a week later. He underwent capsular release surgery in his right shoulder in June and rushed his rehab to come off the disabled list in September.
Added to the postseason roster, Bagwell served as a pinch hitter in the Division Series and National League Championship Series before serving as the designated hitter in the first two games of the World Series. Lance Berkman will move to first base to replace Bagwell, which means more playing time in the outfield for postseason stars Jason Lane and Chris Burke.
While Bagwell left open the possibility of a return, Garner's comments sounded like he doesn't expect him to play again.
"I've been an Astros player and now an Astros manager, and I celebrate Jeff's career," Garner said. "But I also celebrate the fact that he has his health, his family and he can enjoy what makes life really great."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
