Bagwell, Biggio have HOF credentials

HOUSTON, TX - Astros legends Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio will be featured once again on the 2015 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, which was officially announced today by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). This year will mark Bagwell's fifth appearance on the ballot and Biggio's third.

Biggio received 74.8 percent of the vote in 2014, falling just two votes shy of induction in what was his second year on the ballot. Candidates need 75 percent of the overall vote for induction. In the history of the Hall of Fame voting, just two other players have come as close as Biggio did last season: Nellie Fox in 1985 and Pie Traynor in 1947. Both Fox and Traynor were ultimately inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bagwell received 54.3 percent of the vote last year.

In his first year of eligibility in 2013, Biggio was the leading vote-getter, garnering 68.2 percent of the vote in a year that no players were voted into the Hall of Fame. No player has ever gone into the Hall of Fame as an Astro.

Hall of Fame voters must return their ballots by a Dec. 27 postmark. Results will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, live on MLB Network at 1 p.m. CT. The induction ceremonies in Cooperstown are scheduled for Sunday, July 26, 2015. There are a total of 34 players on the 2015 ballot, including 17 newcomers.

THE CASE FOR BIGGIO

In his 20 Major League seasons (1988-2007), all in an Astros uniform, Biggio was one of the top players of his era, excelling at catcher, second base and in the outfield. The seven-time All-Star played a vital role in the most successful run in franchise history, which included six postseason appearances and a National League Pennant. Additionally, Biggio played 12 of his seasons (1988-99) in the pitcher-friendly Astrodome.

Biggio is one of 28 players in ML history to reach 3,000 hits. Everyone that has reached this plateau that is eligible for the Hall of Fame has been elected, with the exception of Rafael Palmeiro. Biggio is also one of just 14 players in ML history to reach both 3,000 hits and 1,000 extra-base hits. With the exception of Palmeiro, all others to reach these combined milestones are in the Hall of Fame.

In his career, Biggio tallied 3,060 hits, which rank 21st all-time in Major League history, and 11th all-time among right-handed hitters. Additionally, his 3,060 hits rank fifth all-time in National League history among RHH. In 2,850 career games, Biggio hit .281 with 668 doubles, 291 home runs, 1,175 RBI, 1,161 walks, 414 stolen bases and 1,844 runs scored, the latter ranking 14th all-time and seventh in NL history. His 668 doubles are the most in Major League history by a right-handed hitter and rank fifth all-time among all hitters. Biggio also

holds the NL record for career leadoff home runs with 53 and the modern Major League record for being hit by a pitch with 285.

Biggio is also one of just 10 players in the modern era to reach the 3,000 hit plateau while playing for the same team. His 3,060 hits are more than 138 current Hall of Famers, including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson, Ryne Sandberg, Yogi Berra, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson. Biggio is also one of just 13 players in Major League history to reach both 1,000 extra-base hits and 3,000 total hits, a list of Hall of Famers that includes Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Carl Yastrzemski, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, George Brett, Cal Ripken Jr. and Pete Rose (Biggio is only the second player that was primarily a middle infielder to accomplish this feat, joining Ripken).

Additionally, Biggio is the only player in MLB history to reach all four of the following milestones: 600 doubles, 250 homers, 3,000 hits and 400 stolen bases, and is one of just three players all-time to reach 3,000 hits, 200 homers and 400 steals, joining Hall of Famers Paul Molitor and Rickey Henderson.

On the Astros all-time lists, Biggio is tops in games, at-bats, hits, runs, doubles, extra-base hits and total bases, ranks second in RBI and stolen bases and third in home runs.

THE CASE FOR BAGWELL

During his illustrious career, all spent with the Astros, Bagwell compiled a .297 batting average with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBI while posting a .408 on-base percentage and a .540 slugging percentage. He is the Houston franchise leader in career home runs, RBI, batting average and walks, and ranks second in club history in games, runs, hits, doubles, total bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

During his 15 seasons, the Astros had their most successful run in franchise history, qualifying for the postseason six times while finishing at .500 or above 13 times. The Astros had the third-best winning percentage (.531) in the NL from 1991-2005.

In 1994, Bagwell became just the third player in history to win the NL Most Valuable Player Award by a unanimous vote after hitting .368 with 39 home runs, 116 RBI, a .750 slugging percentage, .451 on-base percentage and a career-high 1.201 OPS. Bagwell was a four-time All-Star, earned three Silver Slugger Awards, a Rawlings Gold Glove Award and was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991.

He remains the only first baseman in NL history to reach the 30-30 club in home runs and stolen bases in a single season, which he did twice in his career. Also, notably, Bagwell played nine of his 15 seasons in the pitcher-friendly Astrodome.