http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=snibbe/070717 I wish they had a "Bean Purpura" page...
Linked from that page: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2938811 Long, but I loved the read.
I just got a great idea for a game promotion. Instead of every kid getting to run the bases, every kid gets to bean Craig Biggio! Put Biggio in some full body padding and let kids hit him with baseballs for a couple of hours. It's not like a seven year old can throw that hard, so he won't really get hurt...
Ever since i noticed around 5 years ago that Biggio always led the league in HBP's, i though they should give a yearly award to the winner. Maybe when Biggio retires, he should start one in his own honor. The Carig Biggio hit by pitches award. I'm not sure what the trophy should look like. Have a guy lying on the ground, or one with him in batting stance and a baseball attatched to his helmet? I remember getting hit by pitches in little league and up to early high school and it hurts! I don't think anyone here that played baseball at any age will deny that. That wasn't even against people throwing close to the mid 90's either. Not to mention the pain doesn't exactly go away overnight. Sometimes when you get hit in the thigh or some other place, you get the imprints of the laces and possible words on the baseball. That's the one thing I've admired of Biggio the most, doing anything to get on base. He never tries to dodge them like the article stated. It's funny watching him lean into them or stand perfectly still and watch it coming. The only thing worse then getting hit by a pitch, is being left stranded on first base.
I don't know how long Bidge has worn the armor, but I have to admit to privately hoping he brakes the Hughie Jennings mark. It's not the hits, runs scored, RBI, or doubles mark or anything, but it's still cool that a career Astros would be #1 all-time. Surely we can pay somebody to do it--I mean, if Barry can pass Hammerin' Hank using horse steroids, then surely Biggio can pass Hughie Jennings by us slipping a couple C-notes to some AAAA pitcher who'd like to see his name in Cooperstown, even as a footnote!
Reason I ask is, getting plunked in a thick pad all day doesn't mean as much as ball on pure skin does. To be hit by that many pitches, is no small feat though, lol
