Craig Biggio
Second Baseman
Born: December 14, 1965 (1965-12-14) (age 42)
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 26, 1988 for the Houston Astros
Final game
September 30, 2007 for the Houston Astros
Career statistics
AVG	.281
Hits	3,060
Home runs	291
Teams
Houston Astros (1988-2007)
Career highlights and awards
All Star in 1991, 1992, and 1994-1998 Gold Gloves 1994-1997 Silver Slugger in 1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998 2007 Roberto Clemente Award 1997 Branch Rickey Award 2005 Hutch Award 12th on the all-time hits list with 3060 5th on the all-time doubles list with 668 13th on the all-time runs scored list with 1844 2nd on the all-time hit-by-pitch list with 285 Led the NL in doubles in 1994 with 44, 1998 with 51, and 1999 with 56 Led the NL in runs scored in 1995 with 123 and 1997 with 146 Led NL in stolen bases in 1994 with 39

Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former seven-time All-Star Major League baseball player who played his entire 20-year career with the Houston Astros. On July 24, 2007. Biggio announced that he would retire at the end of the 2007 season.^[1] He played his final game on September 30, 2007, and ranks 20th on the all-time hits list (3060). Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,887 × 1,927 pixels, file size: 392 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... The position of the second baseman Second base redirects here. ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 12 - Former Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell is the only player elected this year to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2007 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Homerun redirects here. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 12 - Former Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell is the only player elected this year to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2007 throughout the world. ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Smithtown is a town located in Suffolk County, New York. ... This article is about the state. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... Major Leagues redirects here. ... This article is about the sport. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2007 throughout the world. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

High school

Biggio graduated from Kings Park High School in Long Island, New York, where he excelled as a multi-sport varsity athlete. Most notably, after the 1983 season, Biggio was awarded the Hansen Award, which recognized him as being the best football player in Suffolk County.[1] However, Biggio's passion lay with baseball, such that he turned down football scholarships for the opportunity to play baseball for Seton Hall University. Kings Park High School is a four year secondary school located in Kings Park, New York. ... This article is about the island in New York State. ... This article is about the state. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. ... “Seton Hall” redirects here. ...

College career

Biggio was an All-American baseball player at Seton Hall University, where he played with other future Major League Baseball stars Mo Vaughn and John Valentin. Biggio, Vaughn and Valentin, along with Marteese Robinson, were featured in the book The Hit Men and the Kid Who Batted Ninth by David Siroty which chronicled their rise from college teammates to the Major Leagues. Biggio was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round (22nd overall) in 1987. An All-America team is a sports team composed of star players. ... “Seton Hall” redirects here. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ... [[:Template:Mlbretired]] Maurice Samuel Mo Vaughn (born December 15, 1967 in Norwalk, Connecticut), nicknamed Hit Dog, (a nickname given to him by his Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers at Seton Hall University) was a Major League Baseball first baseman from 1991 to 2003. ... John William Valentin (born February 16, 1967 in Mineola, New York) is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. ...

Major League career

Catcher

Biggio was called up as a catcher midway through the 1988 season, having batted .344 in his minor league career. As a rookie, he caught Nolan Ryan's 100th win as an Astro. In 1989, his first full season, Biggio became the Astros' starting catcher. He won the Silver Slugger award in 1989. Biggio was a very speedy runner, and an adept base stealer. Astros' management, in an attempt to keep the rigors of catching from sapping Biggio's speed, tried him in the outfield part-time in 1990, as he had played 18 games there in the minors. The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. ... Silver Slugger Award In Major League Baseball, the Louisville Silver Slugger award is given annually to the best offensive player at each position in each league. ... Austin Kearns, an outfielder, catches a fly ball. ...

Second baseman

The Astros finally convinced Biggio to convert to second base in spring training 1992, even though Biggio had made the National League All-Star team as a catcher in 1991. Biggio made the All-Star team for the second time in 1992, becoming the first player in the history of baseball to be an All-Star at both catcher and second base. It is remarkably rare for a major league catcher to make a successful transition to middle infielder. If a catcher changes positions, it is usually to first base, or occasionally to outfield or third base. The position of the second baseman Second base redirects here. ... For other uses, see National League (disambiguation). ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World...

Biggio became known as a reliable, hustling, consistent leadoff hitter, with unusual power for a second baseman. He holds the National League record for most home runs to lead off a game, with fifty. His statistics reflect this, having consistently good marks in hitting, on-base percentage, hit-by-pitch, runs, stolen bases and doubles throughout his career.

Yogi Berra, when asked about Biggio being short for a catcher, said "Short catchers are better, because they don't have to stand up as far." Lawrence Peter Yogi Berra (born May 12, 1925 in St. ...

Knee injury

Biggio played 1,800 games without a trip to the disabled list until August 1, 2000, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. In the play in which Biggio was injured, the Florida Marlins' Preston Wilson (who would later become Biggio's teammate) slid into second base, trying to stop a double play, and hit Biggio's planted left leg, tearing the ACL and MCL in Biggio's knee. Biggio rebounded with a good season in 2001, but had a lackluster performance in 2002, with only a .253 average, his lowest since entering the league. is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Preston James Richard Wilson is a Major League Baseball outfielder, playing for the St. ... The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. ... The medial collateral ligament or MCL (or tibial collateral ligament) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. ...

Outfielder

However, he improved slightly for the 2003 season, averaging .264 with 166 hits despite being asked by management to move to center field after the signing of free agent All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent. In 2004, he put up numbers more typical for his career, batting .281 with 178 hits, including a career high 24 homers. Biggio moved to yet another new position, left field, midway through the 2004 season to accommodate Carlos Beltrán, who was acquired in a trade to help bolster the Astros' struggling offense. Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a former MVP winner. ... For the article on the Mexican progressive rock musician, see Carlos Beltrán (musician) Carlos Ivan Beltrán (pronounced: bel-trahn) was born April 24, 1977 in Manatí, Puerto Rico. ...

Back to second

For the 2005 season, Biggio moved back to second base after Jeff Kent left for the Dodgers. Biggio set a new career high by hitting 26 home runs and during the season hit his 1000th RBI becoming the second Astro with 1000 RBIs for Houston (the first being Jeff Bagwell). Biggio played in the World Series in 2005 for the first time in his eighteen year career. On May 23, 2006, Biggio became the 23rd player in MLB history with 10,000 at-bats. Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a former MVP winner. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, who spent his entire major league baseball career with the Houston Astros. ... is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2006 throughout the world. ...

Milestones

Biggio's hit counter, prior to the start of the 2007 season

On June 28, 2007, Craig Biggio became the 27th player in the history of Major League Baseball to join the 3000 hit club, with a single against Colorado Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook, even though he was tagged out on the play as he tried to stretch it into a double. The game action paused while Biggio shared the moment with his wife and children. Longtime friend and former teammate Jeff Bagwell emerged from the Astros clubhouse to congratulate him. Biggio became the first player in Astros history to accumulate 3,000 hits. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ... In Major League Baseball, the 3,000 hit club is an informal term applied to the group of players who have made 3,000 or more career base hits. ... Major league affiliations National League (1993–present) West Division (1993–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Colorado Rockies (1993–present) Other nicknames The Rocks, The Rox, Blake Street Bombers, Hurdles Heroes. ... Aaron Lane Cook (born February 8, 1979 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky) is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher currently playing for the Colorado Rockies. ... Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, who spent his entire major league baseball career with the Houston Astros. ...

In anticipation of Biggio's reaching 3,000 hits, the Astros installed a digital counter just left of center field displaying his current hit total.

With 668 doubles, he ended his career in 5th place on the all-time list. Biggio also holds the record for the most doubles by a right-handed hitter.

Craig Biggio is the only player in the history of baseball with 3000 hits, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases, and 250 home runs.

Biggio ranks 20th on the all time hits list, though of those 20 players he ranks 19th in career batting average. Only Cal Ripken hit for a lower career average.

Biggio fell nine home runs short of joining the career 300-300 club (300 homers and 300 stolen bases). He would have become only the seventh player to achieve the feat. Incidentally, this also caused him to fall short of the 3,000 hits, 300 homers and 300 stolen bases mark; he would have been only the second player in history to reach that club, the other being Willie Mays. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Retirement

On July 24, 2007, Biggio announced his retirement, effective at the end of the season (his 20th season with the club, a franchise record). Hours later, with the Astros locked in a 3-3 tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Biggio hit a grand slam in the 6th inning. The Astros went on to win the game 7-4.

In the penultimate game of his career Biggio started as Catcher and caught 2 innings for the Astros. He also hit a double in his first at-bat of the game.

A sellout, record-breaking crowd packed Minute Maid Park on September 30, 2007 to witness Biggio's final game. He recorded his final career hit, a double in the first inning, and scored his final career run that same inning. In his final career at-bat, he grounded the ball to third baseman Chipper Jones, who threw out the hustling Biggio by half a step. He left the field to a standing ovation from the fans, and when he was replaced defensively in the top of the 8th inning he shook hands with umpires and teammates and left to another standing ovation as he waved to the fans. Minute Maid Park (formerly Enron Field and Astros Field) is a baseball stadium in Houston, Texas, that opened in 2000 to house the Houston Astros. ... Larry Wayne Chipper Jones, Jr. ...

Biggio finished his career with 3,060 career hits, 668 doubles, 291 home runs, 1175 RBIs, 414 stolen bases, and a .281 batting average.

Hit by pitch

Over his career, Biggio has gained a reputation for being hit by pitches. Some have even gone so far as to proclaim him the "king of hit batsmen."^[2] On June 29, 2005, Biggio broke the modern-era career hit-by-pitch record, previously held by Don Baylor with 267. He is second to only Hughie Jennings on the all-time list with 287. Despite being hit by a record number of pitches, Biggio has never charged the mound,^[3] and has had no serious injuries as a result of being hit. In August 2007 the satirical online newspaper The Onion referenced this in the article "Craig Biggio Blames Media Pressure For Stalling At 285 Hit-By-Pitches" In baseball, being hit by a pitch refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the pitcher. ... Donald Edward Baylor (born June 28, 1949) is a Major League Baseball coach and a former player and manager. ... Hughie Jennings on a 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card (White Borders (T206)). Hugh Ambrose Jennings (April 2, 1869 - February 1, 1928) was an American baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball. ... The Onion is a United States-based parody newspaper published weekly in print and daily online. ...

Work in the community

Biggio has received awards from various organizations, including the Hutch Award (2005) and being named one of Sporting News' Good Guys (2004). The Hutch Award is given to a player that shows competitiveness and never gives up. Part of the reason Biggio was given the award was for his multiple position changes, but also because of his work in the community and inspriring other teammates to participate as well. He also received the Roberto Clemente Award in 2007. The Roberto Clemente Award "recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team."^[4] The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community. ...

Craig Biggio has been a supporter and lead spokesperson for the Sunshine Kids Foundation for over a decade and almost the entirety of his playing career. The organization supports children fighting cancer with exciting activities for themselves and their families. Biggio helps the organization by raising awareness of the organization by wearing a small yellow sun on his cap for interviews, batting practice, and spring training games and by holding a celebrity golf tournament in Houston each spring. Biggio hosts an annual party at Minute Maid Park for about 100 Sunshine Kids to play baseball with Biggio and some of his teammates. The Sunshine Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization established in Houston, Texas in 1982 by Rhoda Tomasco that provides a variety of free programs and events for children who are getting cancer treatments in hospitals across North America. ... Minute Maid Park (formerly Enron Field and Astros Field) is a baseball stadium in Houston, Texas, that opened in 2000 to house the Houston Astros. ...

With the 2006 annual golf tournament, Biggio has raised over $2 million for the organization. During the 2007 spring training, MLB informed Craig Biggio that he would no longer be allowed to wear the small yellow sun on his cap during interviews, photo shoots, or spring training. Biggio had worn the Sunshine Kids pin for over a decade. This edict was big news in Houston, and Houstonians, long known for their charitable nature and unconditional love of Biggio, reacted very negatively to MLB. After the public uproar, MLB relented and Biggio is allowed to wear the Sunshine Kids pin as he has done since becoming a spokesperson.^[5]

Personal life

Biggio is married to his wife, Patty. They have three children: son Conor Joseph (b. January 7, 1993); son Cavan Thomas (b. April 11, 1995); and daughter Quinn Patricia (b. September 27, 1999). They currently live in Houston, Texas. Biggio currently coaches baseball at St. Thomas High School in Houston. is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... Houston redirects here. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... St. ...

Stats

• ■Led League
• Source^[7]

Highlights

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• Led the Majors in runs scored in 1995 and 1997 and in doubles in 1998 and 1999.
• In 1997, became the first player in baseball history not to hit into a single double play while playing an entire 162 game season. Two players, Augie Galan (1935) and Dick McAuliffe (1968), had previously played an entire season with the same feat, but did not play in as many games in their respective seasons.
• In 1997, scored 146 runs, which is the most of any National League player since the Phillies' Chuck Klein scored 152 runs in 1932.
• Tops the Astros' career list in games played, at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles and extra-base hits.
• Holds the record for most regular season games played before his first World Series appearance with 2,564.
• In 1998 became the second player to have 50 stolen bases and 50 doubles in the same season. The only other person to accomplish this is Tris Speaker.
• Holds the National League record for most lead-off home runs in a career with 53. He is second in MLB behind Rickey Henderson (81).
• 7-Time All Star.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Charles Herbert Klein (October 7, 1904 - March 28, 1958) was a Major League Baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1928-33, 1936-39, 1940-44), Chicago Cubs (1934-36) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1939). ... Tristram E. Speaker (April 4, 1888 in Hubbard, Texas - December 8, 1958 in Lake Whitney, Texas), nicknamed “Spoke” (a play on his last name) and “Grey Eagle” (for his prematurely graying hair), was an American baseball player known as one of the best offensive and defensive center fielders in history. ... Rickey Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who is baseballs all-time leader in stolen bases[1] and runs scored. ...

Awards

All-Star

• 1991 (Catcher)
• 1992 (2nd Base)
• 1994 (2nd Base)
• 1995 (2nd Base)
• 1996 (2nd Base)
• 1997 (2nd Base)
• 1998 (2nd Base)

Gold Glove

• 1994: National League Gold Glove (2nd Base)
• 1995: National League Gold Glove (2nd Base)
• 1996: National League Gold Glove (2nd Base)
• 1997: National League Gold Glove (2nd Base)

Other Awards

• 1989 NL Silver Slugger Award (C)
• 1994 Baseball America NL All-Star 2B
• 1994 NL Silver Slugger Award (2B)
• 1995 NL Silver Slugger Award (2B)
• 1997 NL Silver Slugger Award (2B)
• 1997 Branch Rickey Award in recognition of his exceptional community service.
• 1998 Houston Astros Player of the Year
• 1998 NL Silver Slugger Award (2B)
• 1998 Baseball America First-Team Major League All-Star 2B
• 2004 Texas Baseball Hall of Fame inductee
• 2004 Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductee
• 2005 Hutch Award (honors baseball great Fred Hutchinson and is given annually to a Major eague baseball player who best exemplifies his fighting spirit and competitive desire)
• 2006 Heart and Hustle Award
• 2007 Roberto Clemente Award

The Branch Rickey Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player in recognition of their exceptional community service. ... Frederick Charles Hutchinson (August 12, 1919 – November 12, 1964) was an American pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball. ... The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community. ...

See also

• List of top 500 Major League Baseball home run hitters
• List of Major League Baseball doubles records
• List of major league players with 2,000 hits
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• 3000 hit club
• Hitting for the cycle
• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions
• List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
• List of Major League Baseball doubles champions
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 stolen bases

This is a list of the top 500 Major League Baseball home run hitters. ... Players denoted in boldface are still actively contributing to the record noted. ... Below is the list of Major League Baseball players who have reached the 2,000 hit milestone. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of Major League Baseball all-time leaders in doubles. ... Below is the list of 295 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 Runs milestone. ... Below is the list of 252 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 RBI milestone. ... In Major League Baseball, the 3,000 hit club is an informal term applied to the group of players who have made 3,000 or more career base hits. ... Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ... Major League Baseball recognizes runs scored champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Major League Baseball recognizes stolen base champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Major League Baseball recognizes doubles champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Below is the list of 65 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 400 stolen base milestone. ...

Notes

MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball. ... is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

External links

• Career statistics and player information from ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Sabermetrically comical analysis following Craig's HBPs [2]