Phil Garner has decisions to make as he mulls his lineup for the first World Series game the Astros ever will play. Jeff Bagwell should be an easy one. He has to be in there.
For all the years and all the big hits and all the victories. For all he has meant to a franchise and a city. For how he has conducted himself. For the teammates who revere him still.
Garner knows what Bagwell has meant to the Astros. He also knows what the last four years have been like. He knows about the pain and frustration of having a right shoulder that causes almost constant pain.
He knows how much Bagwell wants this opportunity. So give it to him. If this is Bagwell’s goodbye, so be it. Give him a going-away gift he’ll remember.
The Astros may never have a greater player. They almost certainly will not have one who is a better teammate and citizen.
Bagwell and Craig Biggio are the Astros whom every future player in the organization will be measured against. Even now, in a season when he has played just 39 regular-season games and was reduced to the role of cheerleader most nights, Bagwell was the first guy some players thought of after winning the National League pennant Wednesday night.
Did you see the bearhug Roger Clemens gave him? This isn’t about the numbers or the matchups or any of that stuff. This is about doing what’s right. Opening the World Series in an American League park allows Garner to use a designated hitter. That DH should be Bagwell.
Yes, there’s some emotion in this decision. Is he a better choice than Lamb or Chris Burke? Who knows? It’s about more than that. This incredible season of resilience and rebirth has had just one thing missing. Jeff Bagwell’s presence.
Ask Bagwell about this kind of thing and he looks at the floor and tugs at his shirt.
Bagwell has told Garner he’s ready to hit. He has told him he can be productive. That ought to be enough. Will he be the player he was in 1999? Of course not. Is he capable of driving in a run or drawing a walk to start a rally? Absolutely.
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It’s not just that he wants to be in there. His teammates want him in there too.
If Garner has told him whether he’ll play or not, Bagwell won’t say. Nevertheless, he has begun to visualize a night against Sox starter Jose Contreras.
After 44 seasons, Houston’s baseball nine will line up Saturday night for the festivities that go with a World Series opener.
No player has worked harder or dreamed longer of playing in this game. Here’s hoping Phil Garner gives it to him.