Hall of Fame Poll: Jeff Bagwell

by Tom Dakers on Nov 30, 2011 5:19 PM EST in Fun

In past years we've run a series of polls to see who Bluebird Banters would vote into the Hall of Fame. We'll run 2 or 3 polls a day until we get to the bottom of the list.

The Hall has always been of interest to me. We finally well to Cooperstown a few years back. I really enjoyed it, as I think any student of baseball history would. That said, I'm not a big fan of the BBWAA voting. As with the voting for the BBWAA awards, each writer seems to have his own agenda and often it has nothing to do with selecting the best players for the Hall. I'd rather they pick out a panel of baseball experts and have them choose, but the writers will never give up the vote.

Anyway the first player we'll consider is Jeff Bagwell. Jeff had a fine 15 year MLB career, from 1991 to 2005, and he only played for one team, the Astros.. He was a heck of a player. He finished with 2314 hits, 488 doubles, 449 home runs, 1529 RBI, 1401 walks and 202 stolen bases. His career slash line is 297/.408/.540.

He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991, was the NL MVP in 1994 and played in 4 All-Star Games. He has 1 Gold Glove and 3 Silver Slugger awards. Pretty impressive, especially when you consider he played his home games in the Astrodome, for most of his career, as pitcher friendly a park as you would ever find.

If WAR means more to you, Baseball Reference gives him a 79.9 career WAR, putting him 57th all-time and 37th all-time among position players. In an average season Jeff would hit 30 some homers, have about 110 RBI, 100 walks and 15 or stolen bases. That would look good in any team's lineup.

He and Craig Biggio have to be as good a twosome as any team has ever had play together for 15 seasons. He also had the widest batting stance I've ever seen.

You can take a look at Jeff's career stats here. He got 41.7% of the BBWAA vote last year. Unfortunately for him he would need 75% of the vote to get into the Hall.

Give us your vote, and use the comments to make your case.

Poll

Would you vote Jeff Bagwell into the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Yes

351 votes

No

77 votes

428 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

My perception of these rewards has totally changed

since the last BBWAA award was given out (mvp) and the scoring showed some seriously questionable votes on the list.

Now, I havent every really looked into the voting until this year myself but when I did look and see some of these names I instantly discredited the current BBWAA: M.Young being a first place vote for one (even the 2nd and 3rd votes are unbelievable). How Verlander can win, yet CC only gets 2 6th place votes. David Roberson…. 10th place vote….WTF?!?.

Having said that, Yes, I think he should be in the hall and hope its one of these things like Robbie where he gets in his next try.

by Jesse Taylor on Nov 30, 2011 5:57 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Bagwell is a sure Hall of Famer for me

Follow me @Minor_Leaguer

by Minor Leaguer on Nov 30, 2011 6:03 PM EST reply actions

Jeff Bagwell and Rock Raines

To me, it’s almost criminal that these two aren’t in. Raines – it’s just ridiculous that he has been kept out for so many years. Bagwell – it’s only his second year, so not such a big deal, but in his case for the low support is a travesty. A big pile of completely unsubstantiated innuendo, paying for crimes of his peers – that’s not how we do things in a civilized society

(Yes, I realize that there are issues of far greater importance in the world for which to reserve this type of righteous indignation, but it reflects so poorly on the BBWAA).

by MjwW on Nov 30, 2011 6:20 PM EST reply actions

Part (likely most) of Bagwell's problem is that he played in the Astrodome.

Had he played somewhere else his, already amazing numbers, would be that much better.

I blog, therefore I am.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 30, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

I think it has more to do with the Steroid Era

The BBWAA, as a collective institution (and I don’t want to tar all of them with the same brush, there are a number who have spoken out firmly against this) has basically decided that any hitter who put up big numbers in the Steroid Era is guilty until proven innocent. Well, good luck doing that. Nevermind that there’s no evidence whatsoever, circumstanial, whatever – just a whisper campaign that we can never know for sure, so assume the worst.

Basically, a large number of the same people who collectively ignored/swept the issue of offensive explosion under the carpet for many years now stand as judges and want to punish collectively. It’s a shame.

Maybe the Astrodome played a small part – but 450 HR, .297/.408/.540, 149 wRC+ – those are easily Hall of Fame caliber numbers anyway. It’s not like they’re borderline numbers.

by MjwW on Nov 30, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

They should let the members of BBB decide who gets in

I’m sure we’d be better award voters than the BBWAA

by Woodman663 on Nov 30, 2011 6:37 PM EST reply actions

Then Daric Barton would be a first-balloter

Follow me @Minor_Leaguer

by Minor Leaguer on Nov 30, 2011 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

John Sickels list is up

I’m still in a daze..wow.

by ABsteve on Nov 30, 2011 7:25 PM EST reply actions

7 B+'s

O_o

Derp

by Pikachu on Nov 30, 2011 7:56 PM EST up reply actions

:D

Derp

by Pikachu on Nov 30, 2011 7:56 PM EST up reply actions

Bagwell had a career .408 OBP?

That’s amazing. I remember him being very good but not that good. I say let him in.

What I don’t get about the HOF vote especially for guys like Bagwell who got 41% of the vote previously is, their percentage will slowly creep up and lots of times eventually they get in. So why would someone vote that he doesn’t belong in the HOF today, but then next year change their mind and vote that he should be in? He’s going to have the same career numbers whether you are voting now or a year from now. Ditto with his character off the field whatever that’s worth.

Sure maybe once in a while you might change your opinion about a guy but this seems to be a pattern with HOF voting. It’s like voters hold out on a guy so they don’t end up being the prestigious “first ballot hall of famer”.

by shuswapslugger on Nov 30, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions

Some writers believe that only very special players should make the hall the first time on the ballot

Sort of suggesting there is a two-tier Hall of Fame, silly in my opinion. Some, of course, do no home work and let the opinions of others sway them. They some how are surprised that people like Gary Carter (for example) and they see smart people saying that Carter was one of 3 or 4 best catchers of all time and decide ‘hey maybe I should vote for him’.

I blog, therefore I am.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 30, 2011 11:22 PM EST up reply actions

sure

why not

Derp

by Pikachu on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 PM EST reply actions

How is Bagwell not in?

NEVER had any credible steroid questions. Very good stats. Quality character. Played in Houston, which doesn’t help, but he’s arguably the best first baseman of his time.

by allcanadian34 on Dec 1, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions