It’s been nearly eight years since Craig Biggio cracked the 3,000 hit club in what was his last MLB season in 2007. And still, the memory of him setting the milestone continues to give me goosebumps.
Perhaps it was the fact that after a storied career, Biggio had just that one moment to obtain. He had already done so much for the franchise, which did its best to build success around him.
But as Astros fans well know, success often times ebbs and flows.
Not so with the dominant “B-G-O.” For two decades, Biggio was the face of the franchise. His consistency made him a household name; not only in Texas but across the baseball landscape.
It’s one reason why Astros fans rejoiced last weekend when Biggio was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. What makes it all special is the knowledge that he becomes the first Houston Astros player to be selected to Cooperstown.
Quite the achievement considering the Astros have been a major league franchise since 1965, with Houston having a baseball team since 1962. Ask any Astros fan, and they probably wouldn’t be surprised.
Having grown up watching Biggio, there were few players that were as dynamic and wide-ranging as he was. Only the legendary Jose Cruz commands that kind of notoriety from the fan base.
From playing behind the plate, to taking the reins at second base, to eventually taking roost in the outfield, Biggio was that one player that did it all.
He did so with a workman-like attitude. No excuses, just get the job done.
It may be one reason why he’s such a likeable figure in the Houston community. His blue-collar attitude appealed to the everyman, even in oil-rich Houston.
For years, he and teammate Jeff Bagwell, created havoc for opposing pitchers, earning them the nickname the Killer B’s, which fans used regularly.
But it was his ability to stick to baseball and avoid many of the social ills other players couldn’t thatendeared him to the masses. While his career ended right as the height of social media began, rarely did anyone catch a soundbyte of BIggio bashing teammates, berating the front office or casting blame.
The guy went out there and did his job. He also avoided many of the social ills other players of his generation couldn’t.
His off the field persona was a thing to watch. His on the field exploits were the stuff of legend.
His penchant to consistently get the big hit was most memorable. Getting hit by the baseball is what many will remember of Biggio as well.
During his career, Biggio was hit by a pitch 285 times, which ranks second all-time in MLB history.
Understandably, Biggio probably had his share of detractors during his career. Perhaps due to the large elbow pad that he wore, which always seemed to be in the way of the baseball as it reached the plate.
But as any baseball player or fan knows, it doesn’t matter how you get on base, so long as you get on base.
Biggio also excelled in that category by amassing 414 stolen bases, and recording over 600 doubles.
Saturday was indeed a special moment for the Houston Astros faithful. It’s a moment that could happen again soon, when Roy Oswalt is up for election in the Hall of Fame.
But for now, Astros fans can say they have a player in Cooperstown. One that made it popular to put excessive amounts of pine tar on a batting helmet.
