Native son Jeff Bagwell becomes the face of Houston
Jeff Bagwell, a lifelong Red Sox fan, was living the dream when Boston selected him in the fourth round of the 1989 MLB Draft. In his first full season of pro ball in 1990, he thrived with the New Britain Red Sox, who played 15 miles or so from his former high school in Middletown, Connecticut. At the trade deadline that year, though, the Red Sox sent him to Houston for reliever Larry Andersen.
The move made logical sense for Boston at the time. Bagwell was blocked at third base by Wade Boggs, who was winding down the best stretch of his illustrious career, and the Red Sox were in need of high-leverage pitchers for the postseason race; Boston’s relievers had allowed opponents a .319/.390/.464 slash line in July, but the team had climbed from a game back in the division to 6.5 games up on August 30.
Andersen, a 37-year-old reliever, brought postseason experience and a string of productive years to Boston. He had a 2.57 ERA over parts of five seasons with Houston and had a 1.95 ERA when he was traded. Andersen undoubtedly aided Boston’s quest for the division title, as he allowed just three runs over his 15 regular-season games. Unfortunately, he flopped in the postseason for Boston and was outdueled by former Red Sox righty Dennis Eckersley in the ALCS against Oakland. Andersen left the team via free agency after the season.
Bagwell, of course, went on to have a Hall of Fame career as a member of Houston’s “Killer B’s,” racking up a Rookie of the Year, MVP, Gold Glove, and three Silver Sluggers. The Red Sox instead put their faith in Mo Vaughn, who picked up an MVP Award of his own in 1995, but the mid-90s Boston teams would have greatly benefited from Bagwell.