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Round Rock Express

Hampton, Bagwell to Team Up for Round Rock Tour Stop

January 6, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK - It's been nearly a decade since they last played together, so when Jeff Bagwell and Mike Hampton roll through Central Texas on Tuesday, Jan. 27 as part of the Houston Astros caravan stop it's a sure bet the memories will be flying.

Bagwell and Hampton spent a combined 21 years with the Astros, helping bump the team to its first 100-win season (102) in 1998. They'll be joined at The Dell Diamond by Astros General Manager Ed Wade, Assistant General Manager Ricky Bennett, long-time broadcaster Milo Hamilton and 2008 Round Rock Express MVP Mark Saccomanno.

The caravan will visit the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas before heading to The Dell Diamond for an 11:35 a.m. fan luncheon at the United Heritage Center, presented by Cody Pools and Mission Plastering. An autograph session will immediately follow. Tickets for the caravan luncheon are $30 per person for general admission seating or $225 for a reserved table of eight.

"The Astros always make their caravan stop here pretty special," said Express founder and CEO Reid Ryan. "Jeff and Mike are two of the best players to wear an Astros uniform over the last two decades. Having them together in Round Rock along with the rest of the Astros, making the day a little brighter for the kids at the Dell Children's Medical Center and then giving back to our fans really reflects brightly on the organization."

Bagwell and Hampton played integral roles in the most prolific two-year stretch in Houston Astros history, helping the team pile up 199 wins and back-to-back National League Central Division titles in 1998 and 1999. Bagwell anchored Houston's offense, cranking out 76 home runs to go along with 237 RBI and 267 runs while Hampton carved out a 33-11 record with 314 strikeouts.

Bagwell currently serves as a special assistant to Houston General Manager Ed Wade and appeared at The Dell Diamond on numerous occasions throughout the 2008 season as he worked with Round Rock Express hitters and management. A four-time All-Star, Bagwell retired in December of 2006 after 15 Major League seasons, all spent with the Astros. He left the team as the all-time leader with 449 home runs, 1,529 RBI and 1,401 walks.

Hampton, who signed a one-year deal with Houston in December, has appeared in 388 Major League games and owns a 4.01 ERA. The left-hander spent six seasons with Houston between 1994-1999, moving from reliever to starter in 1995 and earning 69 of his 141 career-wins with the Astros.

Hampton posted a career-best 22-4 record with a 2.90 ERA and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting in 1999, the same year he and Bagwell represented Houston on the National League All-Star Team.

"The Astros always put together a strong caravan for us, but this year is really special," said Round Rock president Jay Miller. "Not only will fans get to hear from Houston management, but they'll also have an opportunity to listen to and meet with two guys who really put Houston on the map in the late 1990s and Mark, who has a shot at a bright future in the Big Leagues."

For tickets or more information about the 2009 Houston Astros Winter Caravan stop please call (512) 238-2210.

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