​​​​​​​​Teams Craig Biggio Has Played For:







​​​​​​​​Early Life:

Craig Alan Biggio was born on December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, NY. At an early age, he developed a liking for sports. From 1980-83, Biggio attended Kings Park High School in Kings Park, NY (near Long Island). As a senior in 1983, Biggio was awarded the Carl A. Hansen Award, which is awarded annually to the best football player in Suffolk County, NY. However, Craig's true passion lay with baseball. He even turned down many football scholarships for the opportunity to play Division baseball at Seton Hall University.

College:

At Seton Hall University, Craig established himself as one of the nations top college players. He led the 1987 squad, one of the greatest teams in Seton Hall’s baseball history, to a Big East title and a record setting 45 wins. It also helped that he played with 2 future major league players, Mo Vaughn and John Valentin. As a junior in 1986, Biggio hit .407 with 14 home runs and 68 RBIs, and was named a first team All-American. While at Seton Hall, he was also named to Baseball America's First Team All-America, ABCA's Second Team All-America and the All-Big East First Team twice. Biggio was named NJCBA Player of the Year in 1986 and inducted into SHU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996, along with his coach, Mike Sheppard, Sr. The Houston Astros decided to draft Biggio in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1987 amateur draft, and was signed June 8th, 1987, thus ending his college career.

​​Minors:

After signing with the Astros, Biggio was sent down to Class A Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League to begin his professional career in 1987. At Class A, he hit .375 with 9 Home Runs, 17 doubles, 35 stolen bases and 49 RBIs in 64 games. The following year, the Astros thought enough of Biggio to promote him to Class AAA Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League. In 77 games with Tucson, Craig hit .320 with 4 Home Runs, 21 Doubles and 41 RBIs. The Astros purchased Biggio's contract from Tucson on June 26th, 1988, making him the first non-pitcher from the 1987 amateur draft to make it to "The Show"

Houston Astros-1988:

Craig Biggio made his major-league debut in a 6-0 victory over San Francisco. Biggio walks in the fourth and scores the game's final run. Biggio recorded his first major-league hit off 1988 Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser on June 29. His first home run came nearly a month later and it was a memorable one — a game winner off Goose Gossage on August 22 at Chicago. Biggio played in 50 major-league games that season, hitting .211 with 3 Home Runs and 5 RBIs while playing catcher.

Houston Astros-1989:

The Astros waived 37-year-old catcher Alan Ashby on May 11, paving the way for Biggio to become the team's everyday catcher. It was just as well, as Biggio quickly became one of the league's rising offensive stars at his position. That season, Biggio played in 134 games and batted .257 with 21 doubles, 13 home runs and 60 RBIs. He also led all major-league catchers in stolen bases (21) and was second among NL catchers in homers. He became the seventh catcher since 1900 to steal 20 or more bases in a season. On July 29, Biggio become the first catcher to bat leadoff for the Astros in over 20 years.He was the NL Player of the Week for July 30. Biggio was named a Silver Slugger by Sporting News and was picked for UPI's postseason NL All-Star team.

Houston Astros-1990:

In the first game of the 1989 season, Craig would make the second of what would turn out to be 18 consecutive Opening Day starts. With a .276 average, Biggio became the first catcher ever to lead the Astros in batting. He also led the team in several other offensive categories, including at-bats (555), hits (153) and doubles (24). Biggio recorded a career-high 25 stolen bases. He played 113 games at catcher and played 50 more in the outfield. He was named NL Player of the Week for the first week of the season (April 9-15) after hitting .400 (12-for-30).

Houston Astros-1991:

What would have been a normal season for most players turned out to be an All-Star season for Biggio. He batted .295 with 23 doubles, four homers and 46 RBI, and became the first Astros catcher to be named to the All-Star team. At the All-Star game in Toronto, Biggio went 0-for-1 and picked up an error after becoming the first catcher charged with interference in an All-Star game. He led the team in batting average for the second consecutive year, and led all NL catchers in putouts (889), total chances (963) and passed balls (13). His best efforts came in April, when he batted a season-best .359. Notably, Biggio did not hit below .270 in any month that season. He also didn't allow himself to be doubled up easily, grounding into only two double plays that season.

​​Houston Astros-1992:

The 1992 season saw Biggio playing all 162 games at second base, a position that he would become very familiar with over the remainder of his major-league career. The switch turned out to be a successful one, with Biggio becoming the first player in major-league history to be named to the All-Star team as both catcher (1991) and second baseman. Biggio batted .277 with 32 doubles, six homers and 39 RBIs. He also stole 38 bases, which ranked 10th in the NL. Once again, Biggio was one of the toughest players to double up. He grounded into only five double plays for the season.

Houston Astros-1993:

After experiencing a notable power outage during the previous three seasons, Biggio broke out his bat in a big way during the 1993 season. He crushed a team-leading 21 homers, which set a club record for home runs by a second baseman. Biggio's 21 homers was also the most home runs hit by a middle infielder. He became the first middle infielder to lead the Astros in home runs since shortstop Dickie Thon pulled off the feat with 20 bombs in 1983. Biggio wasn't named to the NL All-Star squad, but he still managed to finish the season among the league leaders in at-bats (tied for 6th, 610), hits (T10th, 175), doubles (T4th, 41), total bases (10th, 289), extra-base hits (T7th, 67) and hit by pitch (T3rd, 10).

Houston Astros-1994:

Biggio only played in 114 games, but still managed a .318 batting average with 44 doubles, six home runs and 56 RBIs. He also led the NL with 39 stolen bases. He was named to the National All-Star team for the third time in four seasons, and scored a run in the NL's 8-7 victory over the American League squad. At the conclusion of the season, Biggio and teammate Jeff Bagwell each received Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for sterling defensive play at their respective positions, the first time two Astros had earned Gold Gloves since Doug Rader and Cesar Cedeno in 1974. Biggio was also named to Silver Slugger team for the second time in his career.

Houston Astros-1995:

Still in search of his first playoff appearance, Biggio did his part to ensure that the Astros would have a shot at the postseason in 1995. He played in 141 games, and hit .302 with 30 doubles, 22 home runs and 77 RBIs. Unfortunately, Biggio and the Astros would fall just short of their ultimate goal, finishing one game behind Colorado in the NL's first ever Wild Card race. Nevertheless, it was still a highly successful season for Biggio, who was voted the starting second baseman for the NL All-Star team, becoming the first Astro to start the All-Star game since Cesar Cedeno in 1973. He also received his second straight Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He finished 10th on the NL MVP award ballot.

Houston Astros-1996:

Biggio and the Astros continued in search of a postseason berth in 1996. Biggio, himself, put in a full seasons work, playing in all 162 games for only the second time in his career. The Astros seemed to be on their way with a two-and-a-half game lead in the NL Central race, but they finished 8-17 in September and fell out of postseason contention. Biggio didn't finish with great numbers (.288 average, 24 doubles, 15 homers, 75 RBIs), but he was voted the NL's starting second baseman for the second straight season and he earned a Rawlings Gold Glove for the third consecutive year. He committed only 10 errors and finished the season with a .988 fielding percentage. Biggio was hit by pitch 27 times, which set club single-season record. He also scored 100 or more runs for the second straight season, becoming the first Astro to ever do so.

Houston Astros-1997:

Biggio had one of the best offensive seasons of any Houston player that season, and it paid off for the Astros, who claimed their first-ever NL Central title and first division title in 11 years. The Astros were eliminated in the NL Division Series, but that shortcoming wouldn't diminish a spectacular individual season by Biggio. He scored a major-league leading and club single-season record 146 runs, the major's highest runs total since Rickey Henderson racked up 146 for the New York Yankees in 1985. He played in all 162 games for the second straight season and the third time in his career. Biggio went the entire season without grounding into a single double play, becoming only the third player in major-league history to accomplish the feat. He was voted the starting second baseman for the NL All-Star team for the third straight season, and was awarded his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award and fourth career Silver Slugger Award. He finished fourth in the balloting for NL MVP (157 points), behind winner Larry Walker, Los Angeles catcher Mike Piazza, and teammate Jeff Bagwell. 2 other things of note is that Biggio recorded his 100th career home run in a 12-7 victory at Philadelphia, and Biggio named winner of the sixth annual Branch Rickey Award for outstanding community service. The award is given in recognition of Biggio's work with charitable organizations in Houston.

​​Houston Astros-1998:

Biggio followed up his breakout offensive campaign in 1997 with an equally impressive performance in 1998 that helped the Astros win 100 games for the first time in club history and capture their second straight NL Central title. He crushed 51 doubles and stole 50 bases, becoming only the second player in the 20th century since Hall of Famer Tris Speaker to register 50-or-more doubles and 50-or-more stolen bases in the same season. Biggio's 51 doubles and 210 hits also established single-season club records. He finished the season with a career-high .325 batting average, 20 home runs and a career-high 88 RBIs. Biggio was named team MVP for the second consecutive season and finished fifth in the voting for the NL MVP, behind winner Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, teammate Moises Alou and Greg Vaughn. He was named to the NL All-Star team for the seventh time and fifth consecutive season, and claimed The Sporting News Silver Slugger Award. Craig also broke 2 club records in 1998, become to all time run leader, and having the most hits by an Astro in a season.

Houston Astros-1999:

Biggio's numbers slipped a little in 1999, but not by much. He finished with a .294 batting average, 56 doubles, 16 homers and 73 RBIs. He became only the sixth player in major-league history to record back-to-back seasons with 50 or more doubles, and broke his own club single-season doubles record established the previous season (51). Biggio played 160 or more games for the fourth straight season, and helped Houston win its third straight NL Central title. Sadly, the Astros' season would end in the same fashion as the previous two—a first-round exit in the NL playoffs. It would also be Biggio and the Astros final season playing in the Astrodome before moving to Minute Maid Park, which was then called Enron Field. Biggio broke another club record that year, passing Cesar Cedeno's club record for doubles with 344.

Houston Astros-2000:

Biggio made headlines in 2000, but it didn't have anything to do with his offensive prowess. Rather, it had to do with him landing on the Disables List for the first time ins his 13-year, 1,800-game career. The unfortunate injury ocurred on August 1 at Florida while Biggio was attempting to turn a double play. Florida Marlin Preston Wilson slid into second base in an attempt to break up the double play, hit Biggio's planted left leg, and tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in Biggio's knee. Biggio underwent surgery to reconstruct the ACL on August 10, and the MCL was allowed to heal without surgery. He missed the remainder of the season, finishing with a .268 batting average, 13 doubles, eight homers, and 35 RBIs. It wasn't a great season for Biggio, but the same was true for the Astros, who finished 72-90. It was the team's first sub-.500 season since 1991. Although it was a short season for Biggio, he managed to break Jose Cruz's total base (and all-time hits record)

Houston Astros-2001:

After an devastating leg injury sidelined him for the last two months of the 2000 season, Biggio made his triumphant return in 2001, his 14th season with the Astros. He hit .292 with 35 doubles, 20 home runs and 70 RBI. He reached the 2,000-hit plateau that season, becoming the first Astros and 216th major-league player to with 2,000 hits. He also moved into third place on the franchise home run list with 180 career homers, and became the franchise leader in games played. Biggio led the major-leagues with 28 hit by pitch. Mixed in with all those highlights was a career-high 18-game hitting streak (May 29-June 18). With a slightly rejuvenated Biggio, the Astros sprinted to their fourth division title in five years. Just like old times, Houston was in the postseason and hoping that 2000 would be the year it finally reached the World Series. But just like old times, the Astros were met with another first-round exit after they were swept by the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series. That exit led to manager Larry Dierker's resignation and the hiring of former Red Sox skipper Jimy Williams. 2001 was also Biggio's 14th year with the club, tying Bob Watson (1966-79) and Terry Puhl (1977-90) for most seasons in franchise history.

Houston Astros-2002:

Biggio kept on chugging in his 15th major-league season, which set a new franchise record. He hit .253 with 36 doubles, 15 homers, and 58 RBIs. Not surprisingly, he tied for second in the NL with 17 hit by pitch, which made him major-league's active career leader with 214 HBP. That season, Biggio further carved his named in Astros lore by becoming the fifth player in team history to hit for the cycle on April 8 at Colorado. That feat allowed him to join an exclusive club that included Cesar Cedeno (1972, 1976), Bob Watson (1977), Andujar Cedeno (1992) and teammate Jeff Bagwell (2001). However, the season would end up being a disappointing one for the Astros, who finished 84-78 and second place in the NL Central behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The worst part: They finished 13 games out of first place after staying in the race until the final two weeks.

Houston Astros-2003:

The 2003 season would see Biggio playing exclusively in centerfield with the arrival of All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent, who signed with the Astros as a free agent. The move wouldn't prove too be too troubling for Biggio, who played 153 games and made only one error in centerfield. He batted .264 with 44 doubles, 15 homers and 62 RBIs. He also becomes the 40th player in major-league history to record 500 doubles when he accomplished the feat in a 11-2 win over Cincinnati on July 10. The Astros, who began the season as favorites to win the NL Central title, had a good pitching staff led by aces Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller and seemed to be on their way back to the playoffs. However, the Astros were hobbled by injuries and inconsistent play down the stretch and finished one game behind division champ Chicago. So it would be another season with no hope of postseason glory for Biggio and the Astros.

Houston Astros-2004:

The Astros brought former New York Yankee pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte on board, the city of Houston seemed to buzz with anticipation of the Astros making their first postseason appearance since 2001. That buzz seemed to do something to Biggio, who slugged a career-high 24 home runs that season, second-most among leadoff hitters that season. He moved around in the outfield quite a bit that season, starting 82 games in left field and 66 games in center field. Biggio finished as the team leader in at-bats (633), hits (178), doubles (47), hit by pitch (15), and tied for the lead in runs (100). His 47 doubles was fourth-most in the NL, and he finished tied for sixth in the NL in multi-hit games (56). Biggio's play helped the Astros win the NL Wild Card after a 36-10 run in their final 46 games of the regular season. Houston later went on to win its first postseason series by defeating Atlanta in the NL Division Series, three games to two, and advanced to the NL Championship Series. Unfortunately, the magical ride would end there with the Astros falling to St. Louis in the Game 7 of the NLCS. Biggio and the Astros came one victory short of reaching their first World Series, but it wouldn't be their last shot at the ultimate prize.

​​Houston Astros-2005:

The good times continued to role for the Biggio, who played his 18th season with the Astros. He crushed a career-high 26 home runs, and added 40 doubles. That season also saw Biggio move further up the ladder of great major leaguers as he became the only player to record 600 doubles, 250 home runs, 2,700 hits, and 400 stolen bases in his career. He finished the regular season with a .264 batting average and 69 RBIs in 155 games. On June 29th, Biggio was plunked on the elbow by a pitch from Byung-Hyun Kim, the 268th time he had been hit by pitch. With that, he becomes the modern record holder for being hit by pitch, passing Don Baylor. The season would be a milestone one for Biggio and the Astros, who advanced to the World Series for the first time in club history after defeating St. Louis 4-2 in the NL Championship Series. Unfortunately for Biggio and the Astros, they would be swept by the Chicago White Sox in four games and wouldn't get the chance to celebrate their first World Series title.

Houston Astros-2006:

Now in his 19th season with the Astros, Biggio's offensive numbers continued to erode, but he kept on reaching new milestones. He finished the season with a .246 batting average, 33 doubles, 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in 145 games. He ended the season ranked 25th in all-time games played (2,709), 16th in at-bats (10,359), and 17th in runs scored (1,776). He started his franchise-record 18th consecutive Opening Day. After collecting 135 hits on the season, he finished tied with Jake Beckley and Rogers Hornsby for 31st on the all-time career hits list. He registered his third consecutive and eighth overall season with 20 or more home runs. He ended the season with a career and major-league record 282 times hit by pitch. It was also a record breaking year for Biggio. On April 5th, Biggio hit a first-inning double in the Astros' 6-5 win over Florida. That gave him 606 for his career, and moved him to 10th on the all-time doubles list. Later that day, he scored his 1700th career run. On April 23rd, Biggio picked up his 1,100th career walk. On September 29th, Biggio hit a home run and set the franchise-record for extra-base hits with 970, previously held by Jeff Bagwell with 969. At the conclusion of the season, he was named the recipient of the 2006 Hutch Award, given annually by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle to the major-league player who "best exemplifies Hutch's fighting spirit and competitive desire." The Astros did not get off to a great start that season, but ended the season on a hot streak. Houston won 10 of its final 12 games over the last two weeks, but fell just 1 1/2 games short of NL Central champion and eventual World Series champion St. Louis. The Astos finished 82-80, their six consecutive winning season.

Houston Astros-2007:

Biggio began his 20th season just 70 hits shy of becoming a member of the exclusive 3,000-hit club. He reached the milestone on June 28 with a seventh-inning single off of Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook. Biggio went 5-for-6 with an RBI in an 8-5, 11-inning win against Colorado in the series opener. He was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double by former teammate Willy Taveras. The game was stopped to honor the milestone, and Biggio was joined by his teammates, family and fellow Astros icon Jeff Bagwell in the celebration. Biggio's five hits were a single-game career high.

Houston Astros-2007: The Final Game

Craig Biggio didn't know when the tears would come on Sunday. Turns out all it took was hearing his children's voices. The retiring Biggio doubled and scored in the first inning of his final game as the Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 before a record crowd at Minute Maid Park. The 41-year-old Biggio, who played his entire 20-season career in Houston, got standing ovations every time he batted. He fought off his emotions throughout the game, but lost it a few times in the dugout between innings, when personal messages from his three children -- 14-year-old Conor, 12-year-old Cavan and 8-year-old Quinn -- were played on the giant scoreboard. "If you're older, you cry all the time and there's nothing wrong with it," he said. "But it's a good emotion. It's a good cry, a healthy cry."

Biggio became the 27th player to reach 3,000 hits on June 28 and announced his retirement a month later. He will leave as the franchise's all-time leader in games, at-bats, hits, doubles and total bases. He finished with 3,060 career hits and will finish 20th on the all-time list, just behind Cap Anson (3,081). Of the 19 players ahead of him, only Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame. The weekend series in Houston, meanwhile, was a three-day tribute for Biggio, with fans packing the park for one last glimpse at the franchise's most beloved all-time player. His final game drew 43,823, the largest crowd in the park's 7-year history. Even Jeff Bagwell, who shared 15 seasons with Biggio, came to say goodbye. "This was a special day. You see the way the crowd reacted to him all week and actually, all of his career," said Bagwell, the Astros' all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. "But things have to end. The Biggio-Bagwell era is over. You hope some of the things we established will carry over for a long time."

Biggio tipped his beat-up helmet to another standing ovation in the first inning before doubling off the left-field scoreboard off Atlanta starter Buddy Carlyle (8-7). Biggio finished his career with 668 doubles, fifth all-time and the most by a right-handed hitter. He scored on Carlos Lee's single, his 1,843rd career run. The Astros took a 3-0 lead in the first. "I was hoping to get a hit, I was hoping that we won," he said. "I didn't want to strike out on my last at-bat. I had all those things. It was a pretty fast day." Biggio batted again in the second and grounded out, then flew out in the fifth. The crowd swelled to another roar as Biggio walked to the plate for his final at-bat in the seventh. He took a deep breath as he dug in, but Atlanta reliever Ron Mahay stepped off the mound as the salute continued. Biggio tipped his helmet one more time, hit a sharp bouncer to Jones at third and was out by a step. "Standing in the on-deck circle, looking down at your shoes thinking, 'This is your last at-bat -- ever.' It was rough," he said. He trotted out to second base for the last time to start the eighth inning and manager Cecil Cooper replaced him with Cody Ransom. Biggio tipped his black cap to the fans and trotted off the field and the Astros all came out to meet him. Biggio embraced each one, then doffed his cap to the Braves dugout and savored another minute of cheers before disappearing into the dugout for the last time.

"I'm going to miss it," he said. "When you're sitting here thinking about it and all those people were standing up and going crazy, you're thinking, this is pretty special. These people are here to say goodbye to you. It's a great feeling." Hunter Pence added an RBI double in the Astros' 3-run first and Houston rookie Felipe Paulino (2-1), making his third major league start, allowed only two hits in six shutout innings.
But the day belonged to Biggio. In the pre-game ceremony, the Astros presented Biggio with a commemorative second base and a letter from baseball commissioner Bud Selig. "I wish you the best of luck as your playing career comes to an end," the letter concluded, "and I look forward to our paths crossing in the very near future and again, several years from now, in Cooperstown." The franchise also gave him a check for $3,059 -- a dollar for every career hit -- for Biggio's charity, the Sunshine Kids, which benefits children stricken with cancer.

The Astros and Braves joined fans in a minute-long salute before Biggio took the microphone from owner Drayton McLane and addressed the crowd. "People ask me why I play the game the way I do," he said. "It's because you guys expect it."

Houston Astros-2008: Number Retirement:

Craig Biggio grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and while he wasn't a die-hard fan of either the Mets or Yankees, he, like every typical New Yorker, knew what number Mickey Mantle wore.

Never could Biggio have imagined that decades later and thousands of miles away from his original hometown, that he would look up to the rafters and watch a bit of history unfold as his No. 7 was officially retired, never to be worn by another Houston player.

"I know the significance of it," Biggio said. "This is a huge thing. That's why I was kind of nervous."

Dozens of numbers have been retired over the years by dozens of teams, but the number seven has been retired only twice. Mantle's was retired by the Yankees in 1969. On Sunday, the honor belonged to Biggio, who witnessed the unveiling of his lucky number before a packed house at Minute Maid Park that included longtime friends, colleagues, teammates and family members, all of whom gathered on the field to honor a true Astros original. The event included speeches by teammates and coaches closest to Biggio, including longtime Astros coach Matt Galante, who worked tirelessly with Biggio during his conversion from a catcher to a second baseman.

"He would tell me, 'Don't tell me what I'm doing well,'" Galante recalled. "'I know that. Tell me what I need to do to become a good player.' He said, 'If we do this switch, I don't want to be just good at it, I want to be really good at it.' "I said, 'Craig, if you want to do that, then you have to think about Gold Gloves.' And he won four of them."

Jeff Bagwell, who played 15 years with Biggio and whose No. 5 was retired last year, credited Biggio with redefining the mold of the prototypical second baseman. "It's not just defense," Bagwell said. "It's offense, baserunning -- everything you see now from second basemen, it started with Craig. He was truly one of the greatest players who ever played this game.

"I can't tell you how privileged I am to have had the chance to play with him for the last 15 years. You're an amazing player, an amazing father, an amazing husband. Anyone with a child sitting next to them -- you want your child to grow up and be Craig Biggio."

A special highlight for the honoree arrived when 15-year-old Conor Biggio, the eldest of the three children, gave a speech that was both touching and funny, especially when he poked fun at his dad for some of his well-known strategies at the plate.

"He would do anything to help his team," Conor said. "Even if it was by accident -- like when he 'accidentally' moved his arm out, and 'accidentally' got hit by the pitch.'" Conor said his dad was resourceful, using only two helmets at Minute Maid Park, both of which were, according to the eldest Biggio son, "just nasty." "He would chew a piece of gum, and when it was time for him to bat, he would stick the piece of gum in his helmet and save it for later." As the crowd laughed, Conor added, "That nasty helmet you saw on the outside had gum stains all on the inside."

Biggio's kids presented him with a collage of photos of their childhoods, ranging from their earlier years to modern times. The Astros also presented Biggio with gifts -- three jerseys, each from a different era of his 20-year career, and a John Deere infield groomer for the baseball team at St. Thomas High School, where Biggio serves as the head coach. "[Bagwell] volunteered to come over and drive it and help get the diamond in good shape," club owner Drayton McLane joked.

The ceremony continued with a video presentation highlighting the best of Biggio's 20-year career. It began with old footage of an interview with Biggio's college coach from Seton Hall talking about "this kid, Biggio, who could really be something special." The list of on-field guests included Biggio's immediate family, his mother, Johnna, and his brother, Terry, who is home from a year-long tour in Iraq, where he voluntarily helped to rebuild the air traffic control system. The late Ken Caminiti's family, long considered family to the Biggios, also attended -- Caminiti's wife, Nancy, and their three daughters, Kendall, Lindsey and Nicole. Biggio also thanked former Houston second baseman and fan favorite Bill Doran, who more than a decade and a half ago flew to Houston to help Biggio properly make the conversion from catcher to second base.

Most of the living retired numbers were there, too -- Bagwell, Jose Cruz, Mike Scott, Larry Dierker and Jimmy Wynn, as were three behind-the-scenes contributors who played huge roles in Biggio's success. He described traveling secretary Barry Waters and clubhouse manager Dennis Liborio as the "backbone of the franchise," while thanking his agent Barry Axelrod for his role in making sure he finished his career in a Houston uniform.

The event ended with Biggio throwing the first pitch to his good friend Brad Ausmus, who jokingly crouched five feet in front of home plate before moving back to the normal position. Biggio gave that ball to his brother, Terry, whose time in Iraq last year forced him to miss Biggio's 3,000th hit, his retirement announcement and his final game. "My kids have plenty," he said. "[Terry] deserves it. He's been a great brother to me, he works hard, he's a good man."

To the fans, Biggio's message was simple but poignant.

"Thank you for sticking with me through the years," he said. "Thank you for being Astros fans. Thank you for being fans of the game. I think the coolest thing about Astros fans is they love the logo, but they truly love the person that wears it more."

Hall Of Fame-1st Time-2012:

In his 1st Year eligible to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall Of Fame, Craig Biggio received 68.2% of the vote. However, a player must get 75% of the vote to get into the Hall Of Fame. Biggio did get the highest % of any player, as no one was voted into The Hall ​in 2012.

Hall Of Fame-2nd Time-2013:

Craig Biggio and many Astros fans were hoping that this would be the year that the 1st Houston Astros player would be inducted into The National Baseball Hall Of Fame. Biggio missed being elected by only....2 votes! He recieved 74.8% of the vote, 2 votes shy of making it into The Hall. The tied him with Pie Traylor (1947) and Nellie Fox (1985) for smallest margin not to get into The Hall. He is on the ballot for 13 more times.​​​​


Hall Of Fame-3rd Time-2014:


The 3rd time was the charm for Biggio and Astro fans everywhere, as Craig Biggio became the 1st Houston Astro to be elected into the National Baseball Hall Of Fame. He got 82.7% this time around and will be inducted into Cooperstown on July 26th. Biggio appeared on 454 ballots, 42 more than the 75 percent needed and up from 68.2 percent in his first appearance and 74.8 percent last year. He had 3,060 hits in 20 big league seasons, all with the Houston Astros. "I haven't been this excited or antsy or nervous in any baseball game I've ever played," Biggio told MLB Network. "I was real anxious and very grateful and humble to be able to be elected into the Hall of Fame. ... I was so excited. I was crying, I ain't going to lie. I'm 49 years old -- I was an emotional mess when it happened. Then I asked them if it was a prank phone call."