JEFF BAGWELL HALL OF FAME SPEECH
Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Jeff Bagwell:
Born Jeff Robert Bagwell – The only son of Janice (née Hare) and Robert Bagwell.
A 10 Year Veteran, Four time All-Star reserve, two time Most Valuable Player (1998 & 2000), three time All-Star Starter, Gold Glove Award Winner (2004). A career .298 hitter with 376 Doubles, 323 Home Runs & incredible 1117 Base on Balls to only 1115 Strike Outs.
Bagwell was Drafted by the Compton Posse & played for the Connecticut Eulers, Temper Tempers, Santa Fe Devils, Canton Indians, & the Northridge Quakes.
Bagwell was traded 4 times during his MWBL Career, twice being traded to the Tempers & twice he was shipped away. Tempe Manager Chris Douglass once said “Bagwell is the guy you want on your team, he’s the ultimate On Base Percentage guy & his power was not short in supply”. He was simply someone we always wanted in our system”.
It is with great honor that I stand here today and congratulate Jeff Bagwell on his entrance to the Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame.
Jeff Bagwell Speech:
Thank you, Mr. Commissioner. It is truly an honor to be on this stage with all these great legends. (Gestures to the previous HOFers seated behind him). I never imagined that I’d one day be mentioned in the same breath as them. I am humbled to be included on this roster.
I am also honored to be inducted with these three incredible players : Billy Wagner, Chipper Jones, and Manny Ramirez. (Points them out and waits for applause to die down).
There are so many people to thank at a moment like this that it can get a bit overwhelming. I’d like to thank Dave Myers & Scott Farquharson – Co Owners & General Manager of Compton for taking a chance on me and drafting me into the MWBL. I’d also like to thank Christopher Douglass of the Tempe Tempers for giving me the chance to play in four World Series. Being part of a winning franchise is every player’s goal, and Mr. Douglass has always made a priority of putting a winning team on the field.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my teammates, who I went into battle with every day. I’ve made so many friendships and have so much respect for the men I’ve played alongside. That’s what you miss the most when it’s time to hang ‘em up—the camaraderie, the friendships you make in this game.
Of course, I would not have achieved what I did in my career without the support of my parents and my family: My wife Rachel, and my kids have been incredible throughout all the moves and ups and downs of the long seasons. (points to his family, and blows a kiss).
Although I moved around a lot, through franchise relocations, and a few big trades, I always had the attitude of giving my best effort and playing as hard as I could to further the goal of winning for the team. I think the hallmark of my career was consistency, being in there day after day, trying to produce every day, contribute to a win. I think my stats reflect a commitment to producing, picking up the other guys in the lineup, knocking in those runners, getting those runs in. The personal stats and recognition are wonderful, but I hope that I will be remembered as a player that, most of all, helped his teams win. Thank you all so much.