Questions & answers with Jeff Bagwell: Houston Astros first baseman

Baseball Digest, July, 2004 by Rick Hummel

JEFF BAGWELL HAS BEEN THE Houston Astros first baseman every season since 1991. During that time ha has averaged .300, has won one Most Valuable Player award, entered the 2004 season 79 RBI and 98 runs shy of 1,500 for his career and should hit at least 500 homers before he is through.

He's also the only first baseman to hit 30-plus homers and steal 30 or more bases in the same season, a feat he accomplished in 1997 and 1999. He also has never been on a team that has won a playoff series. He feels that void but at the same time is optimistic that this is the year.

Q--How important is it for you to finish your career with the Astros, the only big league team for which you've played?

A--"Very important. That was the whole goal behind it with the last deal that I signed (through 2006). Did I want to be an Astro or not? But what it comes down to is that it has to be a two-way street. The organization has to want you and the player has to want to (stay). It's worked out well for me. I don't want to play for another team."

Q--Would you trade any or all of your statistics to have a chance to play in one World Series?

A--"If I don't get to the World Series, I don't feel that my career is in any way diminished. That being said, nothing would make my career more complete than winning a World Series, Not just getting there, but to win it. That would be an appropriate ending to my careen There's nothing I play for anymore other than just to have a chance and that's why I'm so excited about the club we have this year. I know there aren't that many more chances left."

Q--Is the clock ticking for you, Craig Biggio and some other veterans?

A--"Every one of us knows that. This is our opportunity this year. A lot of guys' contracts are up after this year. Organizations, except if you're the Yankees, have to turn over. You have to retool I know people in Houston are tired of watching me play. They are. They're sick of me and I understand that. They're ready to root for somebody else. It's never good enough. But if something happens and we're playing deep into October, they'll love me again."

Q--You had shoulder surgery a couple of years ago and it seems your arm never really has bounced back. What kind of shape is it in now?

A--"It's not very good. The first year 2002 after the surgery was a very, very difficult year. Last year I rehabbed in the offseason and it got better. I was hoping it could get better again but I think I'm about at the end of the road as far as in getting better without me having to go get something done. When you're hurt, you can't do the things you want to do on defense. If we're up by three and there's a man at first dad one out, do I even try to make a double play (throw) if it's a tough one? So I have to think about things like that. And offensively, I'm battling age (36) and a bad shoulder I have to make adjustments there, too. But all that being said, it can be done. It just takes a little work."

Q--You're on the cusp of Hall of Fame numbers, being as close as you are to 1,500 RBI and 500 home runs. Do you think about that?

A--"If I play every day for three years, I'd better hit 500 home runs (he was 76 away through games of April 26). I'd be very disappointed in myself if I didn't. But you never take it for granted that you'll be out there every day. Hall of Fame? I really don't think about it because this game is so difficult. I don't think you can ever get caught up in thinking about it. When I'm done playing, the only thing that matters is what my teammates--my peers--think about me."

Players with 1,500 Lifetime Runs Batted In and Runs Scored

With another productive season, Jeff Bagwell should become
the 27th player in major league to score 1,500 or more runs
and drive in 1,500-plus runs. Listed below are the players
who have accomplished this feat.

( ) Active player's totals through April 26, 2004.

Player                  R      RBI

Ty Cobb               2,245   1,960
Hank Aaron            2,174   2,297
Babe Ruth             2,174   2,204
Willie Mays           2,062   1,903
Stan Musial           1,949   1,951
Barry Bonds ( )       1,958   1,762
Lou Gehrig            1,888   1,990
Tris Speaker          1,881   1,562
Mel Ott               1,859   1,861
Frank Robinson        1,829   1,812
Carl Yastrzemski      1,816   1,844
Ted Williams          1,798   1,839
Jimmie Foxx           1,751   1,921
Honus Wagner          1,740   1,731
Cap Anson             1,722   1,880
Mickey  Mantle        1,677   1,509
Dave Winfield         1,669   1,833
Cal Ripken, Jr.       1,647   1,695
Eddie Murray          1,627   1,917
Al Kaline             1,622   1,583
Jake Beckley          1,602   1,578
George Brett          1,583   1,595
Rogers  Hornsby       1,579   1,578
Reggie Jackson        1,551   1,702
Rafael Palmeiro ( )   1,558   1,703
Mike Schmidt          1,506   1,595

Closing In

Jeff Bagwell ( )      1,422   1,437