Jeff Bagwell
Jeff Bagwell
Jeffrey Robert Bagwellis an American former professional baseball first baseman and coach who spent his entire fifteen-year Major League Baseballplaying career with the Houston Astros. Originally, the Boston Red Sox selected him from the University of Hartford as a third baseman in the fourth round of the 1989 amateur draft. The Red Sox traded Bagwell to the Astros in 1990; the next season he made his MLB debut and was named the National LeagueRookie of the Year. The NL Most...
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth27 May 1968
CityBoston, MA
It's going to come to an end. We know that. We're not talking about a 23-year-old rookie. We're talking about a 43-year-old guy who has been there, done that. Eventually -- whether it's the next two weeks or the next two years -- this thing is going to end. So I'm just grateful I had the opportunity to play baseball with him. As a kid who grew up as a Boston Red Sox fan to where I am today, it's been an honor.
I've had both thoughts in my mind. How great it would be if I could play and end the season and be satisfied with that. And I've also had the other side where I spend time with my family. I'm OK either way.
I've had plenty of conversations (in past years) where I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it, but I've always found a way to do it. And that's why I'm here again.
Oh trust me, there are plenty of thoughts like that. You're not human if you don't get frustrated and wonder, 'Is it worth doing this?' But I still know I can do some things that are very positive. Am I going to be the same player I was in the '90s and 2000? Probably not. I don't know if I can ever be that player again.
It takes both sides, players and management, working very hard to make that happen.
It's very special, ... We've spent a long time together. It's really like a marriage. We've had good times. We've had bad times. But it's been a heck of an association.
It's who I am. I can't just go away.
It's very important to be there, ... He's been a friend of mine 15 years, and it goes beyond baseball. We stayed friends beyond baseball. He was a great man, and we owe it to him to be there.
I want him on the mound tomorrow night. He's one of the main reasons why we're here. Things happen every once in a while. I'm sure it's going to be the last time you see that.
I want him on the mound tomorrow night.
There's been a lot of business decisions that have been made over time,
There's a lot of things that go through your mind, like how long it's been,
The first thing I thought about when the ball went into the air was Craig.
The ultimate goal is to be the last team under the pile.