Craig Biggio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Craig Biggio
Biggio at his Hall of Fame induction in 2015
Second baseman / Catcher / Outfielder
Born: (1965-12-14) December 14, 1965 (age 59) Smithtown, New York, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
June 26, 1988, for the Houston Astros
Last appearance
September 30, 2007, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Batting average	.281
Hits	3,060
Home runs	291
Runs batted in	1,175
Stolen bases	414
Teams
Houston Astros (1988–2007)
Career highlights and awards
7× All-Star (1991, 1992, 1994–1998) 4× Gold Glove Award (1994–1997) 5× Silver Slugger Award (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998) Roberto Clemente Award (2007) NL stolen base leader (1994) Houston Astros No. 7 retired Houston Astros Hall of Fame
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2015
Vote	82.7% (third ballot)

Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965) is a former American baseball player. He played for 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Houston Astros, from 1988 to 2007. Biggio was a very versatile player. He played as a second baseman, outfielder, and catcher during his career.

Many people consider Biggio to be the best all-around player in Astros history. He was chosen for the All-Star team seven times. He is also the only player ever to win a Silver Slugger Award at both catcher and second base.

Biggio was part of the famous "Killer B's" group of players for the Astros. Along with Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman, he helped the team reach the playoffs six times between 1997 and 2005. This led to the Astros' first ever trip to the World Series in 2005.

He achieved many impressive milestones in his career. Biggio is one of only 27 players in MLB history to get 3,000 hits. He also holds the National League record for most times leading off a game with a home run. He won four Gold Glove Awards for his excellent defense. Biggio was also known for being hit by pitches more than almost any other player.

After he retired, the Astros honored him by retiring his jersey number 7. In 2015, Craig Biggio was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He was the first player to enter the Hall of Fame wearing an Astros uniform on his plaque.

Early Life and College Baseball

High School Sports Star

Craig Biggio grew up in Kings Park, New York. He went to Kings Park High School and was a great athlete in many sports. He was especially good at football. In 1983, he won the Hansen Award, which recognized him as the best high school football player in Suffolk County.

But Biggio loved baseball the most. He turned down football scholarships to play baseball for Seton Hall University.

College Career at Seton Hall

At Seton Hall, Biggio was originally an infielder. However, his coach, Mike Sheppard, asked him to play catcher because the team needed one. Biggio became an All-American baseball player at Seton Hall. He played alongside other future MLB stars like Mo Vaughn and John Valentin.

The Houston Astros picked Biggio in the first round of the 1987 draft. He still holds several records at Seton Hall. In 1996, he was inducted into the Seton Hall Hall of Fame. His college jersey number 44 was retired in 2012.

Major League Career Highlights

Starting as a Catcher

Biggio playing catcher in 1990

Biggio joined the Astros in the middle of the 1988 season as a catcher. He had a great batting average of .344 in the minor leagues. In 1989, he became the Astros' main catcher and won a Silver Slugger Award. Biggio was also a very fast runner and good at stealing bases. The Astros wanted to keep his speed, so they sometimes had him play in the outfield.

The "Killer B's" Era

Before the 1991 season, the Astros got first baseman Jeff Bagwell. Like Biggio, Bagwell played his whole career with Houston. He became the Astros' all-time leader in home runs. Biggio and Bagwell became known as the "Killer B's." This nickname became famous for the Astros throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

They were a powerful duo in both hitting and defense. From 1994 to 2003, they played in nine All-Star Games. They also won five Gold Gloves. Together, they helped the Astros reach the playoffs six times. Other players whose names started with "B" also joined this group, like Lance Berkman.

Moving to Second Base

Biggio with the Houston Astros

In spring training of 1992, the Astros asked Biggio to switch to second base. This was a big change, especially since he had just been an All-Star catcher the year before. But Biggio made the All-Star team again in 1992. This made him the first player in baseball history to be an All-Star at both catcher and second base! It's very rare for a catcher to successfully move to an infield position.

Biggio became known as a reliable and hard-working leadoff hitter. He had surprising power for a second baseman. He holds the National League record for most home runs to start a game, with 53. He was also known for keeping his batting helmet dirty. In 1997, he played a whole season without hitting into a double play. This was a rare achievement in baseball history. In 1998, he became the first player since Tris Speaker to have 50 doubles and 50 stolen bases in the same season. Biggio was also an excellent defensive second baseman. He won four Gold Glove Awards in a row from 1994 to 1997.

Injuries and Playing in the Outfield

Biggio played 1,800 games without a serious injury until August 1, 2000. He tore ligaments in his knee during a play at second base. He recovered well and had a good season in 2001. In 2002, he didn't hit as well, but he did achieve a special feat. On April 8, he hit for the cycle, which means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. This was the only time he did it in his career.

In 2003, Biggio was asked to move to center field. This was to make room for a new player, Jeff Kent, at second base. In 2004, he played well again. He even moved to left field during the 2004 season to help the team. The Astros had a great second half of the season and made the playoffs.

In the 2004 National League Division Series, the Astros played the Atlanta Braves. Biggio hit his first career postseason home run in Game 4. In Game 5, he helped the Astros win the game and the series. This was the first time the Astros had ever won a playoff series! The Astros then played in the 2004 National League Championship Series but lost in a close series.

Return to Second Base and Milestones

World Series Appearance (2005)

In February 2005, Biggio and Bagwell were inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. After Jeff Kent left, Biggio returned to playing second base. He had a great year, hitting a career-high 26 home runs. He also reached 1,000 RBI, becoming only the second Astro to do so.

On September 5, he hit a crucial home run against the Philadelphia Phillies. This helped the Astros win a very important game late in the season. The Astros went on to win the Wild Card spot.

The Astros beat the Braves again in the playoffs. Then, they won their first league championship by beating the St. Louis Cardinals in six games. Biggio and Bagwell, who had played their entire careers together, finally reached their first and only World Series in 2005. They played against the Chicago White Sox, but the White Sox won the championship. After the season, both Biggio and Bagwell received a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

On May 23, 2006, Biggio became the 23rd player in MLB history to reach 10,000 at-bats.

3,000 Career Hits (2007)

Biggio's hit counter, prior to the start of the 2007 season.

On June 28, 2007, Craig Biggio made history. He became the 27th player in MLB history to join the 3,000 hit club. He got his 3,000th hit with a single against Colorado Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook. Even though he was tagged out trying to stretch it into a double, a run scored on the play. The game stopped so Biggio could celebrate with his family. His longtime friend and former teammate Jeff Bagwell came out to congratulate him. Biggio was the first player in Astros history to get 3,000 hits. He ended up with five hits in that game, making him the first player ever to get his 3,000th hit and have five hits in the same game!

To celebrate this milestone, the Astros put up a digital counter at their stadium. It showed Biggio's current hit total.

Biggio finished his career with 668 doubles, which ranks him very high on the all-time list. He is also the only player in baseball history with 3,000 hits, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases, and 250 home runs.

Retirement from Baseball

Jeff Bagwell (left) and Craig Biggio (right).

On July 24, 2007, Biggio announced he would retire at the end of the season. This was his 20th season with the Astros, a team record. Hours later, he hit a grand slam to help the Astros win a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In one of his last games, Biggio started as a catcher and played two innings. He also hit a double.

A huge crowd came to Minute Maid Park on September 30, 2007, for Biggio's final game. He got his last career hit, a double, in the first inning. He also scored his last career run in that same inning. When he left the field in the 8th inning, the fans gave him a long standing ovation. The Astros won his final game 3–0.

Biggio ended his amazing career with 3,060 hits, 668 doubles, 291 home runs, 1,175 RBI, and 414 stolen bases. His career batting average was .281.

After Retirement

Since 2008, Biggio has worked as a special assistant for the Astros' general manager. He helps with player development, scouting, and evaluating players. He also helps with the team's community programs.

Hit by Pitches

Throughout his career, Biggio was known for being hit by pitches very often. He holds the modern-era record for being hit by pitches, with 285. Only one other player in history, Hughie Jennings, was hit more times. Even though he was hit so many times, Biggio never got seriously hurt. He also never got angry and charged the mound. In 2007, he even sent an arm guard he wore to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to show how often he was hit.

Number Retirement

Craig Biggio's number 7 was retired by the Houston Astros in 2008.

Craig Biggio's retired number 7 at Minute Maid Park

On August 17, 2008, the Houston Astros officially retired Craig Biggio's jersey number 7. This means no other Astros player will ever wear that number again. It was a special ceremony before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Biggio was the ninth player in Astros history to have his number retired.

Hall of Fame Election

Craig Biggio first became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2013. Players need 75% of the votes to be elected. In his first year, he got 68.2% of the votes, just missing the cut. The next year, 2014, he was even closer, getting 74.8% of the votes. He missed by only two votes!

Finally, on January 6, 2015, Biggio was elected to the Hall of Fame. He received 82.7% of the votes and was inducted on July 26, 2015. He was the first player with 3,000 hits who wasn't elected in his very first year of eligibility. In 2021, Biggio was also elected to the Hall of Fame's board of directors.

Community Work

Biggio has received many awards for his work off the field. These include the Hutch Award (2005) and the Roberto Clemente Award (2007). The Hutch Award is given to a player who shows determination and never gives up. The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes a player who shows great sportsmanship, helps their community, and contributes to their team.

Biggio has been a big supporter and spokesperson for the Sunshine Kids Foundation for over ten years. This organization helps children who are fighting cancer. Biggio helps by raising awareness and holding a celebrity golf tournament every spring. He also hosts an annual party at Minute Maid Park where about 100 Sunshine Kids can play baseball with him and his teammates.

Biggio has raised over $2 million for the Sunshine Kids Foundation. He used to wear a small yellow sun pin on his cap to support the charity. After some discussion, MLB allowed him to continue wearing the pin.

Personal Life

Biggio married his wife, Patty Egan, in 1990. They have three children: sons Conor and Cavan, and daughter Quinn. Cavan Biggio has also played in Major League Baseball, just like his dad!

From 2008 to 2013, Biggio was the head baseball coach at St. Thomas High School. He led his team to win two state baseball championships in 2010 and 2011. Both of his sons played on the St. Thomas baseball team.

Biggio and his family have a home in Spring Lake, New Jersey, which they call "Home Plate." Biggio is Catholic.

Awards and Highlights

Recognition

Annual Statistical Achievements

Notes: Per Baseball-Reference.com. †– led Major Leagues.

Other Special Achievements

• Holds the National League record for most career lead-off home runs (53).
• Second player ever to have 50 stolen bases and 50 doubles in the same season (1998). The only other player was Tris Speaker in 1912.
• First player in baseball history to play a full 162-game season without hitting into a single double play (1997).
• Scored 146 runs in 1997, the most by any National League player since 1932.
• Hit for the cycle against the Colorado Rockies on April 8, 2002.
  • Craig and his son, Cavan, are one of only two father-son duos to both hit for the cycle in MLB history.
• Holds Astros team records for most career games played, at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, and extra-base hits.
• Holds the record for playing the most regular-season games (2,564) before appearing in his first World Series.

Images for kids

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  Biggio signs autographs at a Houston sports collectors show in 2014.

See also

In Spanish: Craig Biggio para niños