Astros legend Jeff Bagwell once opened up about his daily struggles with alcoholism

In October 2020, Houston Astros legend Jeff Bagwell broke silence about his daily struggles with alcoholism. He opened up as part of a taped address he gave to pupils at Archway Academy, a high school for recovering drug and alcohol addicts.

Explaining how he couldn't stop resorting to alcohol even if he wanted to, he said:

"Well, I am Jeff, and I am an alcoholic. I remember looking in the mirror in the morning, at 7 o’clock in the morning, and saying. ‘What are you doing, man? You’re killing yourself.’ And still could not stop, because for me to get through the day, I had to have drinks".

Jeff added how he couldn't have quit alcohol without proper support from his loved ones.

"Obviously, we never overcome this disease. People say, ‘Oh, you’re a recovered alcoholic.’ No, I’m in recovery. It’s always there. It’s always waiting. And for me, I was very, very fortunate to have people around me that loved me and supported me. And didn’t give up on me. That’s part of the reason why I’m here today. And if they did give up on me, I don’t think I’d be sitting here or in any other seat. I would not be alive.”

"Probably the Greatest Astros Player Ever! Jeff Bagwell parallel limited to only 199 copies, $20." - AstrosAtoZ

Jeff Bagwell made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 1991 and remained with the team for the rest of his career until 2005.

Here are his career highlights and awards:

• 4× All-Star (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999)
• NL MVP (1994)
• NL Rookie of the Year (1991)
• Gold Glove Award (1994)
• 3× Silver Slugger Award (1994, 1997, 1999)
• NL RBI leader (1994)
• Houston Astros No. 5 retired
• Houston Astros Hall of Fame

Houston Astros legend Jeff Bagwell has been sober since 2017

World Series - Atlanta Braves v Houston Astros - Game Two: HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 27: Former Houston Astros player Jeff Bagwell throws out the first pit prior to Game Two of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2021, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Houston Astros legend and HOFer Jeff Bagwell has been sober since October 2017. Interestingly, he stopped drinking alcohol, months after getting enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

"The 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, who spent his entire big league career with the Astros." - National Baseball Hall Of Fame and Museum

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 30 in Cooperstown.