Astros Aren’t Interested in Getting Kent Back

If Jeff Kent asks the Dodgers to trade him this winter, his old team has no interest in getting him back. The Houston Astros didn’t envision him in their 2006 lineup last winter, and his possible availability now would not change that plan, General Manager Tim Purpura said Saturday.

Kent, 37, who led the Dodgers in virtually every offensive category this year, has indicated he might seek a trade if he does not sense the Dodgers are committed to winning next year. After Kent signed with the Dodgers as a free agent -- for two years and $17 million -- the Astros advanced to their first World Series.

Kent, who lives in Texas, starred for Houston in 2004. The Astros wanted him back and offered him one year plus an option, Purpura said, but would not guarantee the second year with Craig Biggio available to return from the outfield to second base and prospect Chris Burke behind him.

“To commit to Jeff for two years didn’t seem like the prudent thing to do,” Purpura said. “We’ve already signed Biggio for next year, and I expect him to be playing second base.”

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Jeff Bagwell desperately wanted to be the Astros’ designated hitter Saturday, and so he was.

“I shouldn’t say it was purely a baseball decision,” Houston Manager Phil Garner said, “because there’s no question there’s some sentimentality.”

Bagwell, 37, had played four All-Star games and 2,150 regular-season games, all for the Astros, without a World Series appearance. The Astros weren’t sure whether he would return this season after shoulder surgery. He did, but he can’t play defense because he hasn’t recovered enough strength to throw.

In a pregame meeting with Bagwell, Garner emphasized loyalty without batting ability would not have gotten him into the lineup.

“He’s got a responsibility to 24 other guys, not just to give Jeff Bagwell a chance to play in the World Series,” Bagwell said.

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Just another day for Jerry Reinsdorf, other than the John Wayne statue in his box, the 1917 half dollar in his pocket, and the World Series game in his ballpark.

He grinded through paperwork, returned phone calls, the usual work.

“Ate a little cheesecake,” he recalled. “Snuck into the clubhouse, they had some Chinese food. I had some of that.”

Almost 25 years since he became owner of the Chicago White Sox, Reinsdorf didn’t know what else to do but the routine.

“I really felt amazingly calm today,” he said.

The statue had shown up in the final days of the regular season, and through the American League championship series was 12-2. The coin, its date signifying the last year the White Sox won a World Series, is a new addition.

“That’s in my pocket now,” Reinsdorf said. “I’m not taking any chances.”

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Before Game 1, Ozzie Guillen received an award presented by and named for Venezuelan countryman Luis Aparicio, in honor of Guillen’s work as manager of the White Sox.

Guillen had a typically Ozzie perspective.

“Having this for my country, and in Luis’ name, and getting it when I’m still alive,” he mused, “a lot of people wait until you die to give you stuff. So, to be alive and to give this to me is an honor.”

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After Biggio took his son for a round in the batting cage Saturday afternoon, he stopped to say hello to Guillen.

“You have to hit like him,” Guillen told the son, pointing to Biggio. “If you hit like me, you’ll have to play shortstop.”