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Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio: Memorable Video Moments

By Larry Manch |

The Astros’ Craig Biggio had many memorable moments in his Hall of Fame career. For 20 years, he wowed fans, and his aggressive style of play endeared him to the people of Houston, Texas. Although several players and managers inducted in Cooperstown wore Houston uniforms for parts of their careers, Biggio is the only career Astro to be elected. Astros fans can be proud knowing that at last, one of their own will be depicted wearing an Astros’ cap on a bronze plaque in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Gallery.

These video clips represent some of the moments Astros fans will long remember.

On April 8, 2002, Biggio hit for the cycle in an 8-4 win over the Rockies. Biggio scored twice, was walked intentionally once, and drove in four runs.

Biggio set a new National League record on April 10, 2003, when he hit the 31st leadoff home run of his career. Biggio still holds the NL record with 53.

Biggio was well known for his aggressive play. His dirty uniform and helmet were trademarks of his exceptional brand of all out all the time baseball. It was one of the things that made him a Houston fan favorite.

Only 29 men in MLB history have had as many as 3000 hits. Biggio reached that historic milestone on June 28, 2007, in an 8-5 loss to Colorado at Minute Maid Park. The sellout crowd watched in delight as one of their favorite sons displayed his typical hustle, going 5 for 6. He got his fifth hit in the bottom of the seventh inning off of Aaron Cook; he was thrown out at second base attempting to stretch an RBI single into a double. No one was disappointed at him for doing what he always did – play hard all the time.

Biggio joined future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter as the only two men in MLB history to reach the 3000 hit plateau with a five hit game. He ended his career with 3060 hits.

Another sellout, appreciative Minute Maid Park crowd was on hand to cheer as Biggio played the final game of his stellar career. It was September 30, 2007, and he went out in style, with his 668th double, good for fifth all-time, and the most ever by a right-handed batter. With that final double, Biggio became the first and only player in MLB history with 3000 hits, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases, and 250 home runs.

It had been a foregone conclusion for years that when Craig Biggio hung up his #7 jersey for good, it would be the last time any Houston Astro would ever wear that number. A little less than a year after his retirement, on August 17, 2008, a huge crowd at Minute Maid Park cheered as the Astros retired his number.

After the long awaited announcement of Biggio’s election to the Hall of Fame, this interview was conducted.

Not that Craig Biggio had anything to prove to anyone after his Hall of Fame career, but on August 8, 2014, he did what many others did (including myself) – he accepted the Lou Gehrig, ALS ice bucket challenge. It was just another one of the things that showed he was a man of the people, and a regular, humble guy (with Hall of Fame ability, of course).

Biggio’s biography, as presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The next great video moment for Biggio will happen on Sunday, July 23, 2015, as he takes the stage under the tent in Cooperstown, and is formally inducted into the Hall of Fame. It will be one of the great moments in the life of a great player, as well as a proud moment for every fan of the Houston Astros.

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