[The Boston Globe] He's a down-to-earth Astro (Biggio)

kaleidosky · May 22, 2006

(and a random blurb about Clemens that's really of no consequence..)

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2006/05/21/hes_a_down_to_earth_astro/

He's a down-to-earth Astro
Humble Biggio heads quietly toward glory
By Nick Cafardo

When the traveling Barry Bonds show stopped in Houston last week, it was striking how joyless and selfish this endeavor had become.

As long as Bonds chases the all-time home run mark, he'll be in the eye of a public storm because of the allegations of performance-enhancing drug use.

The sight of Bonds hanging out with his entourage in a corner of the visiting clubhouse, often away from his teammates, was in stark contrast to the scene in the Astros' locker room.

In the spacious Houston clubhouse, Craig Biggio, 19 years as an Astro, could probably demand one of those fancy-end lockers complete with TV and video games. Yet he chooses to sit and dress in the center of the room, with no entourage except for his teammates and occasionally one of his four children.

A future Hall of Famer, rated by Bill James as the fourth-best second baseman of all-time and the 35th-best player ever, the 40-year-old Biggio has always been about team first. His career, unlike Bonds's, has played out largely under the radar.

Of course, Biggio, a leadoff hitter most of his career, isn't going for a home run record, but even if he were, those who know him best say he wouldn't change a bit from the 20-year-old who played at Seton Hall with Mo Vaughn and John Valentin.

''I'm appreciative of the fact my career hasn't been so public," Biggio said. ''Houston is the fourth-largest city in America, but we're kind of in our own neck of the world and we haven't been exposed to the things Barry and other big-name superstars have had to be exposed to.

''To be associated with others like Kirby Puckett, Don Mattingly, George Brett, Derek Jeter, who all spent their careers in one place, is an honor for me. I've been able to raise my family here, been a part of the community."

If the Astros hadn't made it to the World Series last season, would many have noticed that Biggio was approaching 3,000 hits (he was 161 shy as of yesterday)? Or that he has been an All-Star at two positions, catcher and second base?

A four-time Gold Glover at second, Biggio played 1,800 games before setting foot on the disabled list. He has stolen 408 bases, stroked 620 doubles (4 behind Hank Aaron for ninth place), has a .370 career on-base percentage, and has been hit with pitches a record 277 times.

Biggio was undersized for a catcher at 5 feet 11 inches, 190 pounds, but he spent four years behind the dish, catching Nolan Ryan as a rookie in 1988. He became an All-Star in 1991, but the Astros felt a man of his size would likely get beat up and wouldn't have longevity as a catcher.

''There are few guys who spend a long time behind the plate," Biggio said. ''The Carlton Fisks of the world are few and far between. When we discussed a position change, I'd never played second base in my life at any level, let alone trying to move to the infield in the majors. I spent a lot of time working with Matt Galante on the nuances of the position and it frankly took me a couple of years to really get comfortable there."

But when he did, the Astros acquired Jeff Kent, and they needed a center fielder. So Biggio was moved to center for two years before returning to second base.

''The 3,000 hits are for my family," Biggio said. ''That's my gift to them for all the years they've stood by me. For me, it's just another number, but one which signifies that there aren't many of us who have reached it."

Biggio never hit the majestic homers like Bonds. Never won seven MVPs or eight Gold Gloves. But he also was never in a position to be accused of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Still, Biggio has a lot of respect for Bonds.

''I've played against Barry for 20 years and I still believe he's the greatest player I've ever had a chance to compete with," Biggio said.

After the 1995 season, Biggio had a chance to move on as a free agent and came within a whisker of leaving for Colorado, which made him a huge offer, as did the Yankees.

''For whatever reason at the time, the Astros didn't seem that interested for a while," he said. ''I tested the waters and was about ready to sign with Colorado when I got a phone call from my agent indicating the Astros had stepped to the plate. That's all I needed to hear."

For Biggio, who currently earns $4 million on a one-year deal, it was never about the money or the fame or the glory of everyone knowing his name. It was about playing baseball, helping out any way he could. He moved for Kent. Moved for Carlos Beltran. He stole bases. He never shortchanged anyone. Never shortchanged himself.

''I was just never a big name like Barry," he said. ''I can't imagine what that would have been like, to have gotten that much attention and dealt with all the things he's had to deal with."

His attention will come, though. There is a place in Cooperstown where that will happen.

Hoping for a Rocket reentry

After the Astros were outscored, 34-5, by the Giants in a three-game sweep last week, there was renewed fervor in Houston to get Roger Clemens back in the fold. Clemens was out of town at midweek, playing in Jake Delhomme's charity golf tournament, but he was back late in the week to begin a vigorous workout regimen over the next three weeks.

His agent, Randy Hendricks, anticipates a decision on whether Clemens will play this year by the first week of June.

''We're a better team with Roger," said catcher Brad Ausmus, a friend of Clemens's who grew up watching him as a Red Sox fan in Cheshire, Conn. ''We stay in touch with text messaging and voice mails, but since the season started, I haven't seen Roger in person at all.

''I think he wanted to take as much time as possible to think about what he wants to do and make sure his family was on board with whatever decision he makes. I honestly don't believe Roger has made the decision yet.

''There's so much speculation out there. I'm hoping he comes back to us. I'm thinking he will, but I'm guessing like everyone else."

There's fear among Astros observers that if they begin to fade from the NL Central race, it might give an edge to the other three teams in the market for Clemens -- the Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox.

A Red Sox source said they are willing to accommodate Clemens if he needed to be home on days he doesn't pitch, but the feeling is he wouldn't do that very often.

''The way we're approaching it in here is that we'd love to have him back, but we're not going to hang our whole season on that," said Astros closer Brad Lidge. ''We don't talk about it that much unless a reporter asks a question about it."

Astros clubhouse manager Dennis Liborio, who hails from Ashland, has kept two locker stalls next to Andy Pettitte open for Clemens.

''I think we're all hoping he walks through that door one of these days," Liborio said.
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leroy · May 22, 2006

Good article. Seems strange coming out of Boston. You'd think they'd be more likely to write it about Bagwell. I am, however, getting extremely tired of everything in baseball having to center around Barry Bonds. It's enough already. They're writing an article about one of the best players in history (according to Bill James and me), and yet, they felt they had to inject Barry's name numerous times.

msn · May 22, 2006

leroy420 said:

I am, however, getting extremely tired of everything in baseball having to center around Barry Bonds. It's enough already. They're writing an article about one of the best players in history (according to Bill James and me), and yet, they felt they had to inject Barry's name numerous times.
Click to expand...

The Bonds show was the backdrop on which this article came to be. Dude was in town following the Bonds show and decided to interview Bidge. Doesn't bother me--in fact I enjoyed the contrast he drew between Bonds and Biggio.

ima_drummer2k · May 22, 2006

Bidge is The Man. Probably my 2nd all-time favorite Astro behind only Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzzzzzzz.

rocketfat · May 22, 2006

"associated with others like jeter"???? strange comment. you've kinda been playing for 10 years longer than him, bidge.

msn · May 23, 2006

rocketfat said:

"associated with others like jeter"???? strange comment. you've kinda been playing for 10 years longer than him, bidge.
Click to expand...

Pinstripe Power is worth 15 years, .060 BA points, and 400 homeruns.

That's right. DJ is a 26-year veteran with a career .374 BA and 569 dongs. At least in the minds of media and average baseball fans.

leroy · May 23, 2006

msn said:

The Bonds show was the backdrop on which this article came to be. Dude was in town following the Bonds show and decided to interview Bidge. Doesn't bother me--in fact I enjoyed the contrast he drew between Bonds and Biggio.
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In this morning's (last night's) SportsCenter, the Giants vs. Cardinals full highlights were shown 4 times. Neither Barry or Pujols hit a hr.

My Lund · May 23, 2006

Craig Biggio is badass. He is my favorite player of all time. I hope he gets his 3000 hits and makes it in to cooperstown. The Astros should then build his statue outside MMP.

Buck Turgidson · May 23, 2006

My Lund said:

The Astros should then build his statue outside MMP.
Click to expand...

You've never been to MMP, have you?

Master Baiter · May 23, 2006

Buck Turgidson said:

You've never been to MMP, have you?
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LMAO! No joke!

arkoe · May 23, 2006

You know what would be awesome? Moving the scoreboard under the Crawford Boxes and building a ledge/patio/space coming off the front of the Crawford Boxes that would be in play to place a statue of Biggio. That way he could be with the wall that he loved to aim at for all time.

Colt45 · May 24, 2006

The Post has a feature on Biggio this morning. For some reason, it's in the STYLE section. It focuses on the HBP record, but does mention the inevitable induction into the Hall.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052302061.html

DallasThomas · May 24, 2006

Buck Turgidson said:

You've never been to MMP, have you?
Click to expand...

Probably not

Sishir Chang · May 25, 2006

Great thread and great articles. Biggio is my favorite Stro and I look forward to seeing his dirty helmet in the Hall of Fame. But not too forward, a Stro's World Series win would be a nice before Bidge goes to Cooperstown.

TheFreak · May 27, 2006

No mention of him getting his manager fired?

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[The Boston Globe] He's a down-to-earth Astro (Biggio)

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[The Boston Globe] He's a down-to-earth Astro (Biggio)

kaleidosky Your Tweety Bird dance just cost us a run

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