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Photo: The Sporting News / Sporting News via Getty Images Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Image 2 of 13 <center><strong>2. Lance Berkman</strong><h3></h3> 45 home runs<h3></h3> 2006 season <center><strong>2. Lance Berkman</strong><h3></h3> 45 home runs<h3></h3> 2006 season Photo: DARREN HAUCK / AP Image 3 of 13 <center><strong>3. Richard Hidalgo</strong><h3></h3> 44 home runs<h3></h3> 2000 season <center><strong>3. Richard Hidalgo</strong><h3></h3> 44 home runs<h3></h3> 2000 season Photo: MARY BUTKUS / AP Image 4 of 13 <center><strong>4. Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 43 home runs<h3></h3> 1997 season <center><strong>4. Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 43 home runs<h3></h3> 1997 season Photo: George Gojkovich / Getty Images Image 5 of 13 Image 6 of 13 <center><strong>5. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 42 home runs<h3></h3> 1999 season <center><strong>5. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 42 home runs<h3></h3> 1999 season Photo: BETH A. KEISER / AP Image 7 of 13 <center><strong>5. (tie) Lance Berkman</strong><h3></h3> 42 home runs<h3></h3> 2002 season <center><strong>5. (tie) Lance Berkman</strong><h3></h3> 42 home runs<h3></h3> 2002 season Photo: DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP Image 8 of 13 <center><strong>7. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 39 home runs<h3></h3> *1994 season -- strike-shortened year <center><strong>7. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 39 home runs<h3></h3> *1994 season -- strike-shortened year Photo: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Image 9 of 13 <center><strong>7. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 39 home runs<h3></h3> 2001 season <center><strong>7. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 39 home runs<h3></h3> 2001 season Photo: ED ZURGA / AP Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 <center><strong>7. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 39 home runs<h3></h3> 2003 season <center><strong>7. (tie) Jeff Bagwell</strong><h3></h3> 39 home runs<h3></h3> 2003 season Photo: DARREN HAUCK / AP Image 12 of 13 <center><strong>10. Moises Alou</strong><h3></h3> 38 home runs<h3></h3> 1998 season <center><strong>10. Moises Alou</strong><h3></h3> 38 home runs<h3></h3> 1998 season Photo: DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP Image 13 of 13 Jeff Bagwell open to return to Astros organization 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

Almost five years after abruptly leaving the Astros organization, Jeff Bagwell is open to reestablishing ties with the club now that A.J. Hinch is the manager.

Bagwell, the Astros’ all-time home run leader, has been estranged from the organization since he walked away from his personal services’ contract with then-owner Drayton McLane in 2010.

“I just didn’t like the direction it was going,” Bagwell said.

Bagwell’s stance has softened a bit since Hinch reached out to him via text this month to inquire about setting up dinner or lunch early in 2015. Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and Bagwell’s longtime agent Barry Axelrod also have urged Bagwell to consider a return.

“Brad talked to me and Barry told me, ‘Your mind is too good to not do something,’” Bagwell said.

Ausmus has considered using Bagwell as a spring training instructor with the Tigers, and Bagwell appears open to serving as a spring training instructor with the Astros if Hinch asks.

“Yes, actually I am,” Bagwell said. “But I need to talk to A.J. first. I want to know exactly how he feels. To me I’m an outsider coming in, which is really weird for me.”

Bagwell, whose No. 5 jersey is retired by the Astros, was renowned during his time in Houston as a clubhouse leader along with fellow icon Craig Biggio.

Those two men set the tone for a generation of Astros, and Bagwell is open to sharing his knowledge once again to the club’s next generation.

“I don’t want to go to spring training to put a jersey on my back if they don’t want my input,” he said. “I don’t want to just go to put a uniform on. I’d want to help.”