Craig Biggio barely had time to catch his breath from a whirlwind trip to New York circles, which included a Top Ten List appearance on the David Letterman Late Show, when he was whisked over to the Grand Rotunda of Minute Maid Park’s Union Station for the first of many jubilant Houston parties that are sure to come through all the time that lays ahead of us on the way from here to his late July 2015 formal induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, NY.
Fortunately for The Pecan Park Eagle, our roving Astros-Event-Ubiquitous reporter, Mike McCroskey, was there at 5:00 PM this Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, to take it all in and then file this special exclusive story for this Saturday dateline column. Good timing for McCroskey too. He got to try out one of the earliest color cameras ever used back in the 19th century. Mike purchased this historic piece at a private auction in December because it was once the personal working property of iconic Civil War photographer Matthew Brady. He’s been aching to try it out on something big and contemporary ever since – and today, he got his chance.
Also thanks to Mike McCroskey, here’s a link to the Craig Biggio and other HOF inductees and their appearance on the David Letterman Late Show Wednesday, January 7, 2015, as presenters on “The Top Ten Things I Said When I Learned I Had Been Selected for The Baseball Hall of Fame”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W817X4DVJMI&app=desktop
Thanks, Mike. – The words and pictures here are both wonderful. You have succeeded in keeping our readers in the loop!
Editor, The Pecan Park Eagle
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Craig Biggio Joyfully Toasted by Astros President Reid Ryan and Others at Friday’s Big(gio) Bash at MMP!
~Photo by Mike McCroskey
Biggio HOF Announcement Homecoming Party is MLB Hit # 3.061
By
Mike McCroskey, Special Assignment Writer for The Pecan Park Eagle
Several thousand fans packed Union Station and overflowed into the stands and gift shop of Minute Maid park to honor Craig Biggio on what was the first of several celebrations to honor Craig Biggio’s first ever Astro elected to the Hall of Fame. Reid Ryan began the ceremony by stating that owner Jim Crane wanted to make Biggio’s election a first class celebration all season for the Houston fans. There will be several special Biggio days at the ballpark this season before and after the Cooperstown induction.
HOF member Nolan Ryan heads to the podium to introduce Craig Biggio as Alyson Footer snaps his image.
~ Photo by Mike McCroskey
Nolan Ryan welcomed Biggio to the stage. Saying he remembered when he came up they thought he might be the batboy. Wasn’t sure if he was even shaving yet.
Houston Mayor Anise Parker was introduced to a smattering if applause and a few boos. She admonished the fans to respect the recipient and class prevailed. She read a proclamation declaring today officially Craig Biggio day in Houston.
Astros Owner Jim Crane describes Biggio as the “Heart of the Astros” as Alyson Footer (red head, lower right) also takes his picture.
~ Photo by Mike McCroskey
Then Reid Ryan read a proclamation from a Harris County judge which declared today Craig Biggio Day in Harris County. Then State rep Sylvester Turner came to the stage and said that there were 29 million Texans who were proud of Craig Biggio and presented him with a framed Texas flag, which had been flown over our Capital. Not bad for a kid from New York.
HOF Inductee and Houston Hero Craig Biggio thanks all the fans for their support over the years.
~ Photo by Mike McCroskey
Craig said how proud he was to have played in Houston. That he played hard everyday to earn respect. And you had to keep earning it everyday. He said “we had a mediocre team in 2007, but when I announced my retirement, 40,000 filled the ball park every game for the rest if the year. It was very humbling. Thank you Houston fans. You’re the best!”
Larry Dierker was one of the most recognizable famous faces in the crowd. We assume that Alyson Footer also was taking this shot off camera.
~ Photo by Mike McCroskey
Faces in the crowd included former managers and players Phil Garner and Larry Dierker, MLB charmer Allison Footer and Minute Maid’s Fred Arnold. Amazingly I was able to leave the event without being asked for a single autograph.
“30”/ Mike McCroskey
Mike McCroskey
Special Correspondent
The Pecan Park Eagle
~ How on earth could this man possibly have left the building Friday without a single autograph request? ~
The Pecan Park Eagle 
January 10, 2015 at 5:03 pm |
Great job, Mike. Getting that “Matthew Brady” camera to shoot in color was great. And the soft focus was especially nice for all the wrinkled aging folks in the crowd. That’s a Hollywood trick, you know.
January 11, 2015 at 2:50 am |
Thanks for letting us share your coverage of the Biggio celebration! Too bad that Bagwell wasn’t visible as part of the salute to Craig. Was he asked to participate? I feel sure that he wouldn’t have wanted to detract from Craig’s BIG DAY, but as close as they were through their playing days, I would have expected to see him there to honor Craig!
January 14, 2015 at 3:24 am |
I’m happy for you Bill and all the Houston Astro fans as well as naturally Craig Biggio, a Long Island boy.