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Houston Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons: Second Base
Craig Biggio has a big decision: Which #Astros cap to wear into the Hall of Fame http://t.co/pb1q5J54Nj #BiggioHOF pic.twitter.com/mD97o2XdQs
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) January 26, 2015
1997: Craig Biggio
1997 was an incredible year for Craig Biggio. In his sixth season at second base, Biggio helped lead the Astros to the NL Central Division Title and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 1986. Biggio’s stats (from Baseball Reference):
- .309 BA/.415 OBP/.501 SLG/.916 OPS
- 146 runs
- 191 hits
- 37 doubles
- 8 triples
- 22 HRs
- 81 RBI
- 47 stolen bases
- 84 walks
- 34 hit-by-pitch
- 9.4 WAR
- All-Star
- Gold Glove
- Silver Slugger
Biggio’s 9.4 WAR is the franchise best for a second baseman. Biggio led the league in runs and hit-by-pitches. He led the Astros in runs, hits, triples, and stolen bases. He had career highs in on-base percentage, WAR, and hit-by-pitch. He also finished 4th in NL MVP voting that season, and his WAR was good for second in the NL behind Larry Walker.
One other remarkable statistic about 1997: Biggio hit into ZERO double-plays. It boggles the mind how a player led the league in plate appearances and did not hit into one double play.
If you thought Biggio was great in 1997, just wait until you read about how he followed it up.
Next: 1998: Craig Biggio