Q & A with Biggio

Brando2101 · Jun 24, 2007

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2914803&name=olney_buster&CMP=ILC-INHEAD

Craig Biggio is only a handful of hits away from becoming the 27th player in major league history to achieve 3,000 for his career. We e-mailed him questions, he answered.

1. Can you describe what, for you, would be the perfect, emblematic 3,000th hit? A home run, or an infielder chopper that you beat out, perhaps, or a line drive smoked to right?

CB: I'd have to say a double, because it's kind of my favorite hit.

2. Of the close to 3,000 regular-season hits you've had, what is the most memorable to you? Can you describe what happened, and the scene?

CB: I remember the first one … the first one was off Orel Hershiser when he in the midst of the scoreless inning streak. It took me until my 13th at-bat. … I was 0-for-12 before I got my first big league hit.

3. What do you remember about your first major league hit?

CB: It was a legitimate line drive up the middle, and I didn't need any help from the official scorer.

4. What are you going to do with the momentos of the moment of No. 3,000? The ball, hat, glove, spikes, uniform, etc.?

CB: Negotiations are ongoing in my household between my wife and three children.

5. What does 3,000 hits represent, in your eyes?

CB: Longevity and a lot of hard work. It represents being consistent, and I know there was a lot of outs along the way.

6. You are joining a group of baseball immortals who have 3,000 hits. Any of them that you relate to, particularly? Cal Ripken, maybe, or Tony Gwynn, or Wade Boggs?

CB: I think they are all a different style of player. I think that's why it makes hitting so unique, because everyone has their own approach and swing.

7. Who has been the toughest pitcher for you to face during your career?

CB: Kevin Gross. Total domination, but I never ducked him, and I'm very proud of that.

8. Against which pitcher have you most enjoyed competing during your career?

CB: I respect them all, especially the ones you're facing that night. But Hershiser was the one I had the most success against, for whatever reason. I never tried to figure it out.

9. How emotional will this moment be for you? Should we expect tears from you?

CB: I won't know until I get there, but I'm sure it will be very emotional, especially with my family being there.

10. This obviously puts you into a group of players who are almost all in the Hall of Fame (Pete Rose being the exception). What would that mean for you, someday, to be on that stage at Cooperstown?

CB: I still say to this day that it's the ultimate compliment when they mention your name and Cooperstown in the same sentence. It makes you feel good as a player.

Biggio has seven hits to go. The Astros continue to struggle, writes Brian McTaggart.
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Jugdish · Jun 24, 2007

So Hershiser didn't have a slider that tailed away from right handers?

RocketMan Tex · Jun 24, 2007

Class act. One of the greatest Astros of all time. He'll get #3,000, then his playing time will dwindle, and after this season he will retire. Looking forward to his speech at Cooperstown.

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