Class of 2007
Jeff Bagwell
Houston Astros
Nominated by Jim Williams
Jeff Bagwell was the cornerstone of the NBC Houston Astros for the better part of 15 seasons. As a rookie in 1992, Bagwell hit .290 with 20 HR's and 95 RBI's to lead Houston to its first playoff spot. The Astros would make two other playoff appearances from 1994 to 19988 with Bagwell on the roster, including the 1997 NBC Championship run.
Bagwell's best season with Houston was 1995, when he hit .355, with 46 doubles, 50 home runs, 166 RBI's and 1.122 OPS. Bagwell was traded to Montreal after the 1998 season, and helped the Expos to two playoff appearances in his four seasons there. Bagwell's 2000 season was one where he set career highs for home runs (56), RBI's (190), runs scored (176), stolen bases (22), and extra base hits (106).
Bagwell returned to Houston at the start of the 2003 season, and helped lead Houston to playoff appearances in '03, '04, and ,06, giving him eight playoff appearances altogether. Bagwell retired as Houston's career leader in many major categories, among them doubles (401), home runs (302), and RBI's (1280). Bagwell was a consistent offensive force, driving in 104 or more runs for thirteen straight seasons, as well as a superior defensive first baseman. Jeff Bagwell's career stats are:
BA .299
Games 2303
Runs 164
Hits 2595
RBI 1835
Doubles 564
Triples 42
Home Runs 463
Walks 1373
Strikeouts 1835
Stolen Bases 120
Total Bases 4632
Larry Walker
Montreal Expos
Nominated by Ed Gaeraths
Larry Walker was an original protection of the Montreal Expos in 1989. He ended up being one of the most feared outfielders in the game, both offensively and defensively. He was a +.300 hitter, with nearly a .400 OBP and averaged 20+ home runs per year. He was always in the 3rd spot of the batting order Larry Walker was also a base stealing threat. In the outfield, he had above average range and would hold runners with his cannon arm. In 1997, he and Vladimir Guerrero formed one of the deadliest corner outfield tandems.
In his career he made countless postseason trips to the playoffs, including 4 trips to the World Series. In 2005, Larry Walker got his first World Series ring with the Montreal Expos. In his next and last season, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds where he helped them win their World Series. At the beginning of the 2007 season, Larry Walker was traded back to his original organization, now the Washington Nationals. He then retired after 17 seasons.
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