If Bagwell really is unable to perform, he should say that,
absolutely. But he doesn't think he is; I'm sure he believes he would
be lying if he said it.

Does the insurance have to be cashed in before the season starts? If
not, I'd let him play through May. If he can perform - and I don't
mean put up great numbers, but if he can get out there and play first
base at a major league baseball level - great! And if not, then, when
we know for sure, would be the time to file an insurance claim.

But if he believes he can perform, than he shouldn't say he can't.

It's very unusual that on January 25th he can't throw the ball 90
feet, so don'e tell me I think it's normal. What I also realize is
that the season doesn't start on January 26th - Spring Training
doesn't, either. He believes, his agent believes, HIS doctor believes
(albeit maybe not James Andrews, the best), and I believe that he
will be ready by the season. The reasoning? He may not throw 90 feet,
but he can throw farther than he could Dec. 25, when he could throw
farther than he could Nov. 25, when he could throw farther than he
could Oct. 25. There's no law or medical fact that says progress
stops in late January.


--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, HexDib@a... wrote:
>
> Nice to see someone bought into the "I am getting ready for the
season and
> it isn't unusual that on January 25th I shouldn't be able to throw
a ball 90
> feet". Nobody wishes him any bad will. What is best for the team
is all I ask
> you? The team doesn't owe him. he has been paid quite handsomely
and will
> continue to be paid should their insurance claim go thru. This
isn't the Astros
> against Bagwell. This a debilitating injury ending a once great
players
> career. All careers end at some point. Maybe he should take the
high road and say
> " I am unable to perform and don't deserve being paid for it."
It's always
> called a business when the team is deemed at fault ?
>