Bagwell taking over as Astros hitting coach

Baseball Betting Lines

07/11/2010 -

HOUSTON (AP) -Former Astros All-Star Jeff Bagwell is taking over as Houston's hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry on Sunday.

Berry became ``a victim of circumstances'' as the Astros' offense has sputtered this season, general manager Ed Wade said. Still, Wade believes the offense can do more and hopes Bagwell can help that happen.

``We know we can get better, but we also know there are players here that should be better and hopefully with a different voice in Jeff Bagwell, they'll recognize the measure of accountability that they have in this whole process so we will get better,'' Wade said.

The move gives Houston hitters a chance to work with one of the most beloved and successful players in franchise history.

In 15 seasons with the Astros, the former first baseman set franchise records with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs. Bagwell was the National League rookie of the year in 1991, the NL's most valuable player in 1994 and a four-time All-Star.

Berry, who has been the hitting coach for the past five seasons, was given a chance to remain with the franchise in a development role. He hadn't yet decided if he'll accept that opportunity.

Wade knows great players don't necessarily make good coaches, but believes Bagwell will be successful after what he's shown working with the team as special assistant to the general manager since retiring in 2006.

``He's very levelheaded,'' Wade said. ``He communicates very well, particularly with regard to the nuances of the game. We've seen him have a significant impact on some of our minor league hitters with the information he's able to convey. So he's got the interest and the passion in doing this and we think it's appropriate to give him the opportunity to see if it works or not.''

Bagwell was not in uniform for Sunday's game against the Cardinals and will join the team Thursday in Pittsburgh for a workout before the start of Friday's series with the Pirates.

``Fans love Bagwell so that's the first thing. He's a legend here,'' center fielder Michael Bourn said. ``(He) did a lot of damage here so of course he knows how to hit. So I'm pretty sure he has some (things) he could point out to us and he's probably been seeing some things from up top. So we'll see what it does for us.''

The Astros entered Sunday's game with the second worst batting average in the majors (.237), the worst on-base percentage (.295) and are tied for 28th with just 57 home runs this season. Only Seattle and Pittsburgh have fewer hits than the 691 Houston has managed this year.

Star slugger Lance Berkman entered Sunday's game hitting .252 and cleanup hitter Carlos Lee is batting .238. Each has 12 home runs apiece. Second baseman Jeff Keppinger has the best average in Houston's starting lineup at .279.

Berkman said it stings to know the struggles of the offense cost Berry his job.

``I haven't hit and Carlos hasn't hit like he can and others haven't and it's not Sean's fault,'' Berkman said. ``It's one of those things that when things aren't going well with the players, you have to shake something up and the most expendable pieces a lot of times are the coaching staff.''

Though he was disappointed to see Berry leave, Berkman is looking forward to working with Bagwell.

``Jeff has always been one of my mentors in the game and I'm excited that he's going to be around more,'' Berkman said. ``I told him (Saturday) that he helps me more than anybody even when he's not around just from all the things that he told me during the time that we played together. So it will be great to have him around and have his expertise available.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Stanley Cup Odds    

 Ottawa Senators
Detroit Red Wings 
Carolina Hurricanes  
San Jose Sharks     
Anaheim Ducks    
Philadelphia Flyers 
Calgary Flames     
New Jersey Devils 
Buffalo Sabres   
Dallas Stars    
New York Rangers  
Nashville Predators  
Vancouver Canucks 
Colorado Avalanche  
Minnesota Wild    
Tampa Bay Lightning    
Boston Bruins    
Florida Panthers   
Montreal Canadiens   
Atlanta Thrashers 
Toronto Maple Leafs  
Edmonton Oilers      
Phoenix Coyotes    
Los Angeles Kings      
New York Islanders   
Columbus Blue Jackets  
St. Louis Blues      
Pittsburgh Penguins 
Washington Capitals   
Chicago Blackhawks    
7-1
10-1
10-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
12-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
15-1
20-1
20-1
25-1
25-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
40-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
80-1
80-1
100-1
100-1 

NHL Regular Season Points - Team Must Play 82 Games 

Team     
Ottawa Senators      
Anaheim Ducks 
Detroit Red Wings   
Nashville Predators 
San Jose Sharks 
Calgary Flames     
Philadelphia Flyers    
New Jersey Devils     
Buffalo Sabres    
Carolina Hurricanes       
Dallas Stars          
New York Rangers   
Minnesota Wild     
Atlanta Thrashers     
Montreal Canadiens    
Team        
Los Angeles Kings           
Tampa Bay Lightening   
Vancouver Canucks 
Boston Bruins       
Colorado Avalanche 
Edmonton Oilers  
Phoenix Coyotes  
Toronto Maple Leafs   
Florida Panthers 
Columbus Blue Jackets   
New York Islanders   
Chicago Blackhawks  
St. Louis Blues  
Washington Capitals 
Pittsburgh Penguins  
Over/Under
108.5
106.5
104.5
104.5
103.5
101.5
100.5
99.5
97.5
97.5
97.5
95.5
94.5
93.5
92.5
Over/Under
91.5
91.5
91.5
89.5
89.5
88.5
88.5
86.5
84.5
82.5
80.5
72.5
72.5
72.5
71.5

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