Boston-born Jeff Bagwell was origin-ally taken in the 4th round of the 1989 draft by the Boston Red Sox—a move that thrilled his family of Red Sox fans. The next year he was dealt to the Astros for pitcher Larry Anderson—a trade now regarded as one of the most one-sided in baseball history.

Because of Ken Caminiti’s status at third, the Astros converted Jeff from a third to first baseman. In 1991, he enjoyed his Astros debut on Opening Day, and following that season was named the National League Rookie of the Year. Jeff’s peak season was 1994, when he was named N.L. MVP for batting .368, with 39 home runs, 116 runs batted in, and 104 runs scored in the strike-shortened season. In 1997, Bagwell became the first Astro, and only first baseman in MLB history, to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season.

Before 2002, Jeff led the club in homers for three consecutive years, including a team record 47 in 2000. In September 2004, Bagwell became the 29th MLB player to reach 1500 runs scored and 1500 RBI. One of the game's most consistent sluggers, Jeff Bagwell hit at least 30 homers and drove in at least 100 runs in six consecutive seasons from 1996-2001, and eight times overall. The only other three players to have achieved such a streak are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx.

Jeff now has 446 career homers. Hopefully, he will collect home run #500 at Minute Maid Park as a member of the Houston Astros.