I am normally pretty good about impulse buys…but I lost, in this case. Its a weird hobby: a Steven Kwan autograph will cost me roughly $100, but a HOF player like Jeff Bagwell cost me less than $60.
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I ran across a video recently talking about Jeff Bagwell and his 1999 season. It was just insane. He played every game, hitting .304 with a .454 OBP. He led the league in runs and walks. And, even though he hit 42 HR, was still able to strike out less than he walked (127 K’s to 149 walks.) He was selected to his fourth All-Star game that season and won his third Silver Slugger. Despite his amazing season, he finished second in the NL MVP race to Chipper Jones. I think Chipper winning was…maybe the right call? Bagwell had, I think, better overall offensive stats and higher WAR (7.4 to 6.9), but Chipper did play a tougher position.
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All told Bagwell would end his career with quite an awards resume: 1991 NL ROY, 1994 NL MVP, four-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, one Gold Glove, and retired with 449 HR and a career 149 OPS+.