Houston to Cooperstown: The Houston Astros' Biggio & Bagwell Years

By: Greg Lucas

The book traces the birth of the franchise (in short form) with events in Biggio and Bagwell's lives leading up to their joining the club intertwined. Former manager Art Howe who was in charge when Bagwell debuted and was switched from 3b to 1b and when Biggio made the transition from catcher to second base is one of several interviewed specially for the book. We also hear from agent Barry Axelrod who was agent for both and very proud he was able to keep them both in Houston their whole careers. He gives Craig and Jeff most of the credit. Long time strength and conditioning coach Gene Coleman and former owner Drayton McLane both are in the group that does not think Baggie ever violated a law or baseball rule regarding PEDs. Most of Jeff's comments on the matter over the years are included.

Phil Garner offers some great memories about managing against Biggio and Bagwell when he was in Milwaukee and managing them both when he was skippering the Astros. At the same time the book high lights every Astro season from the beginning to the announcement this January of Bagwell's upcoming HOF induction. While it shows why the Biggio-Bagwell era was the golden age of Houston baseball there is also encouragement that a second golden age may be in its infancy now...a renaissance if you will after the dark ages of 2012-2015.