‘Killer B’s’ reunited in team’s Hall of Fame
‘Big Puma’ Berkman headlines 6-man class, takes rightful place with Bagwell and Biggio
The Killer B’s are back together again.
Lance Berkman headlined a six-man class chosen for induction into the Astros Hall of Fame that was revealed on Saturday. Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio were inducted last season, part of the 17-man inaugural class.
“It’s incredible when you think about all the players who have been affiliated with this organization and the people who helped bring baseball to the city of Houston,” Berkman said. “I was extremely happy to get the word that I got in … It wasn’t a huge shock, but it was a great honor for sure.”
Bagwell was present at the unveiling, held at Minute Maid Park in conjunction with the team’s FanFest. Executive adviser Reid Ryan, who coordinated the Hall of Fame’s creation last season, revealed each candidate before a cheering crowd.
Teammates Roy Oswalt and Billy Wagner joined Berkman in the 2020 class. Five-time Gold Glove outfielder César Cedeño, two-time All-Star Bob Watson and Judge Roy Hofheinz rounded out the group. Hofheinz’s daughter, Dene, attended the ceremony on Saturday.
Perhaps the most feared switch-hitter of his generation, Berkman remains the Astros’ all-time leader in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. The “Big Puma” made five All-Star teams during his 12-year Astros tenure and twice finished third in National League MVP voting.
Berkman fell off the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot after last season — his first year of eligibility. Wagner, the seventime All-Star closer, is projected to almost double his vote total when results are released Tuesday. Wagner is in his fifth season of eligibility. He received 16.7 percent of the vote last year.
Hofheinz will join former broadcasters Milo Hamilton and Gene Elston as the only nonplayers in the Astros Hall of Fame. The former Harris County judge aided the Colt .45’s arrival in Houston and, in 1965, changed the team name to “Astros.”
Source: Baker to interview for opening
The Astros will interview Dusty Baker for their managerial opening on Monday, a person with knowledge of the search said on Saturday.
Baker will be the fourth candidate to meet with team owner Jim Crane since Monday's dismissal of A.J. Hinch. Last week, Crane interviewed veteran skippers Buck Showalter and John Gibbons along with Cubs thirdbase coach Will Venable.
Crane said on Friday he hopes to have a manager in place by Feb. 3. Though he said prior managerial experience is "not mandatory, by any means," Crane's now brought in three of four candidates who have extensive resumes.
Baker's is the most decorated. The 70-year-old, three-time Manager of the Year winner has overseen 22 seasons for four different clubs. He won a National League pennant with the San Francisco Giants and has nine total playoff appearances. Baker is 137 wins away from 2,000 career managerial victories.