Craig Biggio’s 285 HBPs put him in 2nd place, all time, behind Hughie Jennings.
To a heavy degree, most of us who followed the 20-year major league career of Craig Biggio as a Houston Astro are of a supportive like mind that the man belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame. His 3,060 career hits included 668 doubles, 55 triples, and 291 home runs. He also wound his way to second place, all time, by getting hit by the pitch a total of 285 times. He also lived his life as a contributing pillar to the Greater Houston community, most notably. through his work and support of the Sunshine Kids program. He also became Houston’s poster husband and father, even retiring in time to assist coaching his two sons in football, and then, taking over as head coach of the St. Thomas High School baseball program – and then leading the Eagles to a state championship during his coaching tenure.
Biggio’s achievement awards are almost too many to mention: He won four gold gloves as a second baseman; he won five Silver Slugger awards; and he played in seven All Star games, making it here as both a catcher and a second baseman. Craig also won the 1997 Branch Rickey Award, the 2005 Hutch Award, and the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award.
This is all “down-the-center-of-the-plate” information. Craig Biggio belongs in the Hall of Fame and we all hope that 2014 is the year that the baseball writers make it happen. Biggio is not going to be more deserving next year, or five years from now. He’s ready now. He’s been ready. And he’s most deserving. They just need to get it done right this time.
Something else came to my attention yesterday that may help. I received a link to a new video about Craig Biggio that introduced me to new facts about the man’s character and deeds of giving to others. It blew me away, but, since the link came from my trusted good friend, Greg Lucas, I was most grateful to have received it.
The Hall of Fame is not about electing only choirs boys, as is self-evident by many of the players who already are in there. It’s about career performance on the baseball field.
Still, just knowing now from this brief film as to how much Craig Biggio gives back and pays forward to others is enough to increase one’s convictions that he may belong in more than one kind of hall of fame.
Is there a Hall of Fame for Super Heroes? Check out the film and decide for yourself. Just make sure you keep a box of Kleenex handy. You are going to need it.
Here’s the Biggio film link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWF-e9lG_U4
Thank God It’s Friday!
The Pecan Park Eagle 
January 3, 2014 at 1:25 pm |
You just never know when a Zombie Apocalypse will happen. Luckily, we Astros fans have Craig Biggio!
January 3, 2014 at 1:40 pm |
Biggio is second all-time in HBP behind Hughie Jennings (287) http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HBP_career.shtml
January 3, 2014 at 2:57 pm |
Thanks, Darrell. I do know better, but I easily flip to thinking of Tris Speaker because of Biggio’s long pursuit of the doubles record. In that instance, his 668 two-baggers only took him to 5th place, back of leader Speaker.
January 3, 2014 at 4:10 pm |
I knew Biggio was the all time leader in doubles for a right handed batter; but I feel so much better now about my daughter’s being away at college in Nebraska, knowing that he’s on tornado watch.
January 3, 2014 at 6:15 pm |
I wish someone had let me know they were making this video. Craig Biggio delivered my firstborn in the back of a taxi that was stuck in a ditch during a snowstorm (mom and baby were OK). The gloves helped.