Bagwell hopes HOF vote delights Astros fans

HOUSTON — It’s been nearly a dozen years since Jeff Bagwell last put on an Astros uniform as a player, and it appears he certainly hasn’t lost his popularity among Astros fans.

Bagwell, who will find out in two weeks if he will gain election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, welcomed a throng of eager fans to Pluckers Wing Bar on Wednesday night to participate in the team’s weekly radio show, Astroline.

The former Astros slugger has kept a relatively low profile since his playing days ended following the 2005 season, but he’s back in the spotlight with the results of the Hall of Fame balloting approaching. The 2017 Hall of Fame class will be unveiled Jan. 18.

“I guess I’m anxious,” Bagwell said. “I just want to get it over with. This is the first year I’ve kind of been keeping track of it and just looking. I’m excited about it.”

Bagwell, in his seventh year on the ballot, has appeared on 92.2 percent of the 160 ballots that have been made public and compiled by Ryan Thibodaux through the Twitter account, @NotMrTibbs. That’s roughly 38 percent of the ballots that will be submitted by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Players need 75 percent to gain induction.

“I have a lot of …

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