Biggio

Today Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston Astro to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  There have been other Hall of Famers who spent time on an Astros roster (including fellow inductee Randy Johnson) but Craig, who spent his entire career with Houston, is the first to enter wearing an Astros jersey.

A native of Kings Park on New York's Long Island, Biggio was a football star in high school poised to make his mark as a running back in college when he decided to accept a partial baseball scholarship at Seton Hall. In three collegiate seasons, he batted .342, hit 27 homers, drove in 148 runs, stole 90 bases and led the Pirates to their first Big East title.

A first-round pick by the Astros in 1987, Biggio played just 141 minor league games over parts of two seasons before getting called up. He took over as Houston's regular catcher in 1989. He converted to 2nd base in 1992, and is the only player in history to make the all star team at both positions.

In addition to four Gold Gloves and five Silver Slugger awards, Biggio received the Roberto Clemente Award (for community service) in 2007.  His work with the Sunshine Kids charity is almost legendary in Houston.

His official stats list him as 5’ 11” but that may be an exaggeration – he never looked that tall.  Yogi Berra mentioned Biggio's height in his book You Can Observe A Lot By Watching, saying, "I always identified with short catchers – they don't have to stand up as far".

Every team has its home town heroes, but I doubt that any are loved and admired  more than Craig Biggio.  Today’s entry into the Hall of Fame is well deserved.