Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Check out the new Craig Biggio Hall of Fame display at Union Station on your next trip to Minute Maid Park. <a href="http://t.co/Gy3gfTH6ae">pic.twitter.com/Gy3gfTH6ae</a></p>— Mike Acosta (@AstrosTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosTalk/status/552677123245101056">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="http://t.co/dJiTujNOmZ">pic.twitter.com/dJiTujNOmZ</a></p>— Mike Acosta (@AstrosTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosTalk/status/552677348521172993">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="http://t.co/8B4gTjuDFT">pic.twitter.com/8B4gTjuDFT</a></p>— Mike Acosta (@AstrosTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosTalk/status/552677600410091520">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="http://t.co/W0aT21OqdG">pic.twitter.com/W0aT21OqdG</a></p>— Mike Acosta (@AstrosTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosTalk/status/552677757625180160">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He (probably) was; but that doesn't invalidate Biggio. I think Jeff Bagwell is a better player than Frank Thomas - but I'd never argue Thomas isn't a HoF'er. I'll forever be fascinated by Biggio's case; I personally think his credentials are much greater '88-'01 than they are '88-'07 - but I don't think he makes it if he doesn't stick around and cross 3,000 hits. He sort of falls between the old and new thinking that splits to BBWAA. Frankly, I'm shocked he made it so quickly and, this year, so resoundingly. As many of us predicted, I think the "two votes shy" narrative really pushed his case - though I never thought it would push his case *that* much; 80+% is pretty impressive. He picked up 27 raw votes - but 22 fewer voters turned in ballots so the 8% jump is a big one.
You know it! I actually looked back to see if maybe he had 4 because someone else had 7, but no one had 7 in '88. I never thought to look and see if someone had 4 in '89.
Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From <a href="https://twitter.com/Hardcory10_NBK">@Hardcory10_NBK</a>: What was your favorite stadium to pitch in? "The Astrodome. It was big, hard to hit home runs" - Smoltz <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOF2015?src=hash">#HOF2015</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/552913740119949312">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From <a href="https://twitter.com/DevanAvis27">@DevanAvis27</a>: Which position did you enjoy playing the most? "Second base. It was by far hardest thing I did in my career." - Biggio</p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/552916112007266306">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremyarzuaga2">@jeremyarzuaga2</a>: What was the most illustrious moment of your career? "Getting into the World Series and the 3,000th hit." - Biggio</p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/552916824174903299">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From <a href="https://twitter.com/aj_reveron">@aj_reveron</a>: What was your favorite <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@astros</a> uniform to wear? "The late '90s, the shooting star one.' - Craig Biggio <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOF2015?src=hash">#HOF2015</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/552917071911481344">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From <a href="https://twitter.com/jeff_116">@jeff_116</a>: Who was the hardest pitcher to hit against? "Easy, Kevin Gross. 2-for-42 against them and I never ducked him.' - Biggio</p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/552917296977805312">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonASmith">@BrandonASmith</a>: Any plans to release a Biggio-branded post shave line of pine tar? "Stay tuned." - Craig Biggio. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOF2015?src=hash">#HOF2015</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/552917567065841666">January 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
How many years did Baggy play in the Dome? Do voters not take that in to fact that Bagwell just mashed the ball?
Bill Simmons and his friend Jack-O spent a good deal of time clowning on Biggio's induction on their recent podcast. Baseball only exists in the northeast, guys.
Listening to this podcast now and came here to see if anyone else caught it. It bothers me as an Astros fan, but I guess this is part of Simmons schtick and he doesn't make any bones about the fact that he really only watches AL baseball, particularly AL East baseball. Of course, the Astros are in the AL now, but obviously weren't during Biggio's days.
Congrats, Biggio! As a lifelong Astros fan, I couldn't be more proud to have you representing the Astros in the Hall of Fame as the first Astro inducted. Hopefully, Bags will be next year!
didnt listen to the podcast but i heard the guys on 97.5 pretty much trashing his selection also... I partly understand if you think that there are to many people in the Hall and it should be reserved for the elite of the elite but if you look at some of the guys in there than he is deserving If the Mitchell report never happened i dont think he gets in but i think you have to reward the guy who played the right way for 20 years against guys who were juicing there asses off
What a douche. I never can understand why he gets national coverage from espn. He's not just a homer, he's an elitist snob.........
Even a day later I'm still so happy about this. Biggio getting in isn't just great for the Astros but is great for baseball. He's a baseball player's player. A man who played, smart, tough and with humility and humanity. Just looking at his dirty uniform and helmet shows how he played the game. Guys like Craig Biggio are who young athletes should emulate. Congrats number 7! This honor is more than well deserved!
How can people even contend that Biggio is not a sure-fire HOF'er? Dude has the most doubles all-time by a righty...#5 overall. The four ahead of him played at least two more seasons than Bidge. Every other guy in the Top 13 is in the HOF. #14 = Bonds. It has nothing to do with comparison to "who else" is in the Hall. Just based on his ability to hit doubles, alone, Biggio deserves to be enshrined.
I don't understand the argument against Biggio AT ALL? What are they saying to denounce him? That he played a long time? F$%k these "journalists" are lazy assholes aren't they? I understand that I grew up watching him play, but he screams hall of fame worthy.
