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Houston Sports: The ten best athletes to ever represent the city of Houston

By Joe Fernandez

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; A general aerial view of the downtown Houston skyline prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; A general aerial view of the downtown Houston skyline prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell (L) hands an autographed baseball to long time ABC affiliate Houston Sports anchorman Dave Ward (R) after he threw out the first pitch before the Houston Astros play the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell (L) hands an autographed baseball to long time ABC affiliate Houston Sports anchorman Dave Ward (R) after he threw out the first pitch before the Houston Astros play the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Bagwell

Astros baseball had success in the ’80’s. But the consistent winning culture and quiet “Go about your business the right way” attitude was started with the Bagwell-Biggio era.

One of the best right sides of an infield to ever play the game together, Bagwell and Biggio were a formidable duo with Bagwell manning the first base bag. He is arguably the best ALL-AROUND first baseman.

I’m not saying he has the best offensive numbers of all time, but he was a complete player and his baseball instincts were off the charts. He’s the only first baseman in history with 400 home runs and 200 stolen bases and the way he charged the ball on bunts to get the lead runner at second or third base was fearless.

He played all facets of the game hard, winning Rookie of the Year in 1991 and a unanimous MVP award in the strike shortened 1994 season. His numbers pro-rated for a full 162 game season that year by the way: 216 hits, 153 runs scored, 57 home runs and 171 RBIs. Wow.

Not to mention he started and ended his career as an Astro making him all the more special to us. He and Biggio were the first big offensive super stars the team ever had and made a huge impact on Astro fandom. They made us accustomed to the type of humble, heart and hustle players we now expect out of the franchise.

Now a Hall of Famer, Bagwell still does work with the Astros franchise in his post playing career so he still has ties to the team and the city. He is an Astro through and through.

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