Bagwell named Astros hitting coach

[KFDM COOP]

Bagwell named Astros hitting coach

   

HOUSTON -- Former Astros All-Star Jeff Bagwell is taking over as the Houston Astros' hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry on Sunday.

Berry became "a victim of circumstances" as the Astros' offense has sputtered this season, general manager Ed Wade said. Still, Wade believes the offense can do more and hopes Bagwell can help that happen.



"We know we can get better, but we also know there are players here that should be better and hopefully with a different voice in Jeff Bagwell, they'll recognize the measure of accountability that they have in this whole process so we will get better," Wade said.

The move gives Houston hitters a chance to work with one of the most beloved and successful players in franchise history.

In 15 seasons with the Astros, the former first baseman set franchise records with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs. Bagwell was the National League rookie of the year in 1991, the NL's most valuable player in 1994 and a four-time All-Star.

Berry, who has been the hitting coach for the past five seasons, was given a chance to remain with the franchise in a development role. He hadn't yet decided if he'll accept that opportunity.

Wade knows great players don't necessarily make good coaches, but believes Bagwell will be successful after what he's shown working with the team as special assistant to the general manager since retiring in 2006.

"He's very levelheaded," Wade said. "He communicates very well, particularly with regard to the nuances of the game. We've seen him have a significant impact on some of our minor league hitters with the information he's able to convey. So he's got the interest and the passion in doing this and we think it's appropriate to give him the opportunity to see if it works or not."

Bagwell was not in uniform for Sunday's game against the Cardinals and will join the team Thursday in Pittsburgh for a workout before the start of Friday's series with the Pirates.

"Fans love Bagwell so that's the first thing. He's a legend here," center fielder Michael Bourn said. "[He] did a lot of damage here so of course he knows how to hit. So I'm pretty sure he has some [things] he could point out to us and he's probably been seeing some things from up top. So we'll see what it does for us."

The Astros entered Sunday's game with the second worst batting average in the majors (.237), the worst on-base percentage (.295) and are tied for 28th with just 57 home runs this season. Only Seattle and Pittsburgh have fewer hits than the 691 Houston has managed this year.

Star slugger Lance Berkman entered Sunday's game hitting .252 and cleanup hitter Carlos Lee is batting .238. Each has 12 home runs. Second baseman Jeff Keppinger has the best average in Houston's starting lineup at .279.

Berkman said it stings to know the struggles of the offense cost Berry his job.

"I haven't hit and Carlos hasn't hit like he can and others haven't and it's not Sean's fault," Berkman said. "It's one of those things that when things aren't going well with the players, you have to shake something up and the most expendable pieces a lot of times are the coaching staff."

Though he was disappointed to see Berry leave, Berkman is looking forward to working with Bagwell.

"Jeff has always been one of my mentors in the game and I'm excited that he's going to be around more," Berkman said. "I told him [Saturday] that he helps me more than anybody even when he's not around just from all the things that he told me during the time that we played together. So it will be great to have him around and have his expertise available."

[OldSkool97]

I think this is a good move.

[Spanky]

[quote name="OldSkool97" post="817555" timestamp="1278898093"]
I think this is a good move.
[/quote]

Then had to, it seems, do something.  Bagwell is such an icon in the Astros organization that hopefully the hitters will listen to him and they will get things turned around - it it isn't too late.  He should also be a good infuluence and mentor for some of the young players.

[Ruckdad]

It isn't too late?  What planet are you on spanky?  Thye are 36-53; 17 games below .500.  If they want to win 85 and have any shot at the wild card they have to finish the season 49-24.  They have to play .671 baseball.  What about this team says they are capable of playing .671 baseball for a stretch of 73 games?

This was a PR move by Drayton - that's all.  What happens when the bats don't imporve and they have to fire Bagwell?  Ther's a bridge burned.  It is time to aggressively market guys like Osealt, Berkman, Myers, Lindstrom and maybe even Keppinger to get as many young prospects as they can and start building for 2012 or 2013.

[EAGLE07]

[quote name="Ruckdad" post="817630" timestamp="1278946141"]
It isn't too late?  What planet are you on spanky?  Thye are 36-53; 17 games below .500.  If they want to win 85 and have any shot at the wild card they have to finish the season 49-24.  They have to play .671 baseball.  What about this team says they are capable of playing .671 baseball for a stretch of 73 games?

This was a PR move by Drayton - that's all.  What happens when the bats don't imporve and they have to fire Bagwell?  Ther's a bridge burned.  It is time to aggressively market guys like Osealt, Berkman, Myers, Lindstrom and maybe even Keppinger to get as many young prospects as they can and start building for 2012 or 2013.
[/quote]

Exactly. Nothing but another PR move by Uncle Drayton. Until he sells the team, fires Ed Wade, and fires Tal Smith this team is going nowhere. Drayton trying to get more seats filled by this move. IMO, baseball-savvy folks will see this move for what it's worth.
Best of luck to Sean Berry...........he deserves better.
I will be a billionaire before this team plays .671 baseball.

[Ruckdad]

I don't have a problem with Wade, yet.  He has made some questionable free agent signings, but I put responsibility for those on Drayton more than on Wade.  Wade was in charge when the Phillies back to back World Series teams were being put together - so he gets the credit for those teams and I have been good with his draft classes thus far.  Drayton needs to step out of the way and let the "baseball men" he hired be the "baseball" men in this organization.

[evadalerebel4life]

this was a great move by the astros . Baggy is a legend in the houston astros organization . if anyone can turn the astros hitting around its bagwell

[EAGLE07]

[quote name="evadalerebel4life" post="818214" timestamp="1279166285"]
this was a great move by the astros . Baggy is a legend in the houston astros organization . if anyone can turn the astros hitting around its bagwell
[/quote]

O.K.  not.  ;) ;)

[Ruckdad]

[quote name="evadalerebel4life" post="818214" timestamp="1279166285"]
this was a great move by the astros . Baggy is a legend in the houston astros organization . if anyone can turn the astros hitting around its bagwell
[/quote]

There has to be something to turn aroud.  Is Bagwell going to turn Pedro Feliz into a .300 hitter when that is not his career path?  Is he going to make Hunter Pence more disciplined at the plate, when nobody else at the major or minor league level has been abloe to?  Is Bagwell going to make Lance Berkman more than mediocre from the right side of the plate?  Can Bagwell make Geoff BLum a productive major league hitter when he hasn't been for the better part of this decade?

Like I said - this was a move to name a scapegoat which Drayton turned into a public relations opportunity to help get people through the turnstiles - and I think the majority of [i]knowledgeable[/i] baseball fans see right through it.