By: Schofield H.R. No. 128
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell is being inducted
into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of
2017, and this honor provides recognition for an athlete who is one
of the best first basemen in history; and
WHEREAS, born on May 27, 1968, in Boston, Massachusetts,
Mr. Bagwell graduated from Xavier High School in Middletown,
Connecticut where he also excelled in soccer and basketball; chose
to pursue baseball at the University of Hartford; he twice earned
recognition as the Eastern College Athletic Conference player of
the year, and he was drafted by the Red Sox in the fourth round of
the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bagwell was a standout player for the AA New
Britain Red Sox, finishing first in the league in hits and doubles;
the Houston Astros wisely requested Mr. Bagwell in a trade with the
Red Sox, initiating one of the most one-sided trades in baseball
history; and
WHEREAS making the rare leap from AA to the major leagues,
Mr. Bagwell was named the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year,
the first Astros player to win the award, Baseball America's Rookie
of the Year, The Sporting News Rookie of the Year, and post-season
All-Star and on the Topps' Rookie All-Star Team; and
WHEREAS his batting power was renowned and record-breaking;
he was the first Houston Astro to win the National League Most
Valuable Player Award; only the fourth player to win unanimously;
and
WHEREAS along with teammates such as Craig Biggio, Lance
Berkman, and Derek Bell, he was one of the beloved "Killer Bs"; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bagwell battled through injuries to return to the
Houston Astros season after season, leading his team by example;
steering them into the playoffs for multiple seasons; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bagwell spent his entire career with the Houston
Astros, the first baseman holds Astros records of 449 home runs and
1,529 RBIs. In 15 seasons, he had a .408 on-base average, a .540
slugging percentage and batted .297; and
WHEREAS Mr. Bagwell remains one of the most consistent
players in baseball history; he has amassed multiple records and
awards for his contribution to baseball, including Baseball
America's Lifetime Achievement Award along with pal Craig Biggio;
and
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulates Jeff Bagwell on his election to
the National Baseball Hall of Fame and his many seasons bringing joy
to Houston Astros fans; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Jeff Bagwell as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.