Hall of Fame Poll: Jeff Bagwell

Next on the list is Brad Ausmus, who had a pretty nice career, 18 seasons in the majors, 3 Gold Gloves, 1 All Star game, 1971 total games. But you would have to put a lot of faith in his defensive skills to think that he deserves to be in the Hall.

Jeff Bagwell, on the other hand, has a pretty strong case. He played 15 seasons with the Astros, as a first baseman. He hit 297/.408/.540 with 499 home runs (38th all time), 1529 RBI (49th all-time), 202 stolen bases in 2150 games. The stolenbase count amazes me, I really didn't think he was all that fast. He was successful 72% of the time when trying to steal.

Jeff played in 4 All-Star games, was NL Rookie of the Year in 1991 and NL MVP in 1994. He has 1 Gold Glove and 3 Silver Slugger Awards. Baseball Reference has his career WAR at 79.6, which would be 63rd all-time.

This is Bagwell's 6th year on the ballot, he has been getting around 50% of the vote each year He was at 41.7% in 2011, 56.0% in 2012, 59.6% 2013, 54.3% 2014 and 55.7% last year. I don't think that the Writers will suddenly change their minds on him.

There are suggestions that Bagwell used PEDs. I don't think there is any proof that he used, but he was friends with Ken Caminiti, which some think is guilt by association. I really think that if the Writers believe he used, then they should have said something back in the day. If you weren't willing to bring it up at the time, then it shouldn't be an issue when it is time to vote him into the Hall of Fame.

I was at a game in the Astrodome. I remember thinking that Bagwell had the widest stance I've ever seen. His feet must have been 4 feet apart when he was in the batters box.