Astros Vow Litigation Over Denial Of Bagwell Insurance Claim

Astros To Take Company To Court Over Bagwell Disability Claim?

Astros Owner Drayton McLane “vows to pursue legal recourse to collect” $15.6M of 1B Jeff Bagwell’s $17M salary this season after Connecticut General denied the team’s disability claim earlier this month, according to Jose De Jesus Ortiz of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Bagwell went on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and is considering retirement due to an injured shoulder. Connecticut General attorney Ty Buthod said the company “determined that there had been no adverse change in Mr. Bagwell’s condition or ability to play baseball between the end of last season, when he was an active member of the roster, and Jan. 31, 2006, the date the policy expired.” Astros attorney Wayne Fisher said, “We will ask [Connecticut General] to reconsider their decision based on the information Mr. Bagwell has provided. If they continue denying the claim, we will file litigation.” Fisher said that Bagwell was “officially proven to be a disabled player” after an orthopedic examination on January 12. Based on the findings, the team deemed Bagwell disabled and filed the claim January 27 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/28).