Pack yer Bags for the Windy City

It was 1990 when I first met Jeff Bagwell. He set the New Britain Red Sox franchise record for hits in a season, and he did it in Williamsport, Pa., where I was a sportswriter on the minor league beat. I knew he was a good-hitting third baseman, and he had nowhere to go in Boston because of another pretty good hitter at third -- Wade Boggs. So in August 1990, the Sox traded Bagwell to the Houston Astros for reliever Larry Anderson, routinely considered as one of the most lopsided deals in history.

Anyway, Bags has always been one of my favorite players. Always had to have him on any fantasy team. So I'm glad he will finally get to the World Series, even if he didn't have much to do with the Astros success this season. He's more than paid his dues and, like teammate Craig Biggio and the White Sox's Frank Thomas, deserves it.

It's easy to forget what an awesome all-around offensive force Bagwell was during his prime. From 1996 through 2003, there were only 3 players to accumulate more than 900 R, 875 RBI, 300 HR, 135 SB and hit at least .297. They were A-Rod, Barry Bonds and Bags.

Bags was ages 28-35 for those seasons, usually a hitter's prime years. He averaged .297 with 38 HR, 119 RBI, 121 R and 17 SB during that eight-year span. He was twice a 30-30 guy, which seems ridiculous given his stocky shape.

Enjoy the big show, Bags.