He is right on this point, when I lived in Houston, Biggio was BIG. Ever since I've moved 5 years ago to California, I haven't heard much at all on Biggio. Carry on...
But according to you it doesn't matter what he does with respect to history, only to the second baseman in his era (~1993-200?). You should amend your statement to say he is the best power hitting second baseman of his era (which does not include Hornsby, Morgan, etc.). Rogers Hornsby is clearly the best power hitting 2nd baseman in history (based on stats), especially considering he hit in an era when HRs weren't as common as they are today.
I already did that. Read my previous posts. I said, "He is on pace to hit more homeruns than any other second baseman in the history of the game. So, yes, that would mean that he is by far and away the best power hitter of the era."
Bagwell is a no doubt Hall of Famer. Biggio should be a no doubt Hall of Famer. He was better than Alomar - lets discuss. It should be noted that except for three years at the beginning of his career, and this year(none of which were good years for him) Roberto Alomar has played the prime of his illustrious career in the American League. This is important because the American League scores more runs than the National League each year, because of the Designated Hittter. Then you must consider that Roberto Alomar has also played the bulk of his career in hitters ballparks, except for a short span in Camden Yards - Craig Biggio spent the primary years of his career in the Cavernous Astrodome. Why is this important? Because Craig Biggio's impressive offensive contributions look even more impressive when you realize he was doing them in such a run-scarce environment. Now, we must consider the hard numbers(not current with this year, though neither player has made much of 2002) : Biggio : Avg. - .291 OBP - .381 SLG% - .436 AvgHRs - 15 Avg2Bs - 36 AvgSBs - 30 AvgBBs - 76 That is a very nice year, certainly more than you would expect from the average 2B. Alomar : Avg. - .306 OBP - .378 SLG% - .455 AvgHRs - 15 Avg2Bs - 36 AvgSBs - 36 AvgBBs - 72 That's also a nice year - a little more power than Biggio. Looking at the numbers, and considering the fact that Biggio played in a run-scarce environment, and Alomar didn't - I'll give the offensive edge to Biggio. Defensively, the edge goes to Alomar but Biggio was no slouch himself. I think Biggio compares rather favorably to Alomar - and we didn't even discuss Biggio's skill in getting hit by pitches, as opposed to Alomar - who doesn't.
There was this guy named Mark something or other that hit like a whole bunch of homeruns. I think he beat Sammy Sosa in a race or something.
Man...McGwire isn't all that. One of the best power hitters ever. That's it. Jose Canseco had a better career. Jose for the Hall!!! Lol...I think I'm the only person that thinks Canseco should get in.
Puedlfor, no matter what the stats say, take a fan from an unbiased city and they will take Alomar over Biggio. You are also failing to realize that Alomar is a few years younger than Biggio. So, although their numbers may be similar now, Alomar will play a couple years more than Biggio, thereby increasing his totals even more.
Last year, the Astros scored 847 runs. In 1998 and 1999, while playing in the Dome, the Astros scored 874 and 823 runs, respectively. The Astrodome made it difficult to hit homeruns, but everything else was fair game. Its a good excuse to use the Astrodome in Biggio's favor, but it doesnt work in his case. Since Bagwell is a power hitter, the Astrodome restricted him. It did not restrict Biggio's style of play. The move to the new ballpark hasnt done anything for Biggio. If Biggio's numbers were great in the new park, then you would have a case.
who cares about that? i'm pretty sure the hof takes into account stats before fan's opinions. nonetheless, there's a very good case for both these guys to make it. both were top 5 overall in their respective leagues for almost a decade. bagwell is a lock. factor in the astrodome and he's even more ridiculous.
BigM, people who vote for the Hall of Fame are fans of the game. They are baseball writers. If you go anywhere outside of Texas, it is the general consensus that Alomar was the best 2nd baseman over the last decade. He has more all-star appearances and more gold-gloves, not to mention better numbers.
rezdawg-- Are you by any chance a member of the Alomar family? Or maybe you're his agent. Seriously, I have NEVER seen anybody shill for a guy so hard in my life. The guy will be more remembered for his saliva in an ump's face than for his bat.
I'm afraid I didn't make my point quite clear. Biggio's numbers were roughly the same as Alomar's were, but because Biggio played in the National League, and the Best Pitcher's Park in the Game(and it did more than affect homers, it affected everything) - his offensive contribution's mean more. Much like having one million dollars in 1990 is more valuable than having one million dollars in 2000. One million dollars is one million dollars, but in one situation the value of that million dollars is greater compared to its context. P.S. Biggio's numbers were great in the new park, MMP is almost tailor-made for Biggio's pull hitting - why do you think he had such a tremendous return to form last year? It was partially getting healthy, but a lot of playing in the new park.
Ummm....He had better years in the dome. Check his stats from 1999. Or 98. Or 97..... The new ball park did nothing for his offensive game. The astrodome had more of an effect on Bagwell's style of play, not Biggio's.
That's because he was a better player then, w/o a pair of torn knee ligaments - that might have had something to do with it. Check his power numbers - he gets just about every single homer run he's ever hit to left field . . .MMP has a short porch in left field, we can all do the math. Biggio's contributions last year had a lot to do with his knee being healthy, but it also had a great deal to do with the fact that the new ballpark was perfect for his stroke.
OK, so the ballpark is perfect for him. That works two ways. I could just as easily say the following: Just like the Astrodome made it harder for him, MM park is too easy. His numbers become inflated. He is cheating by playing here. None of his numbers should count because the park is such a hitters park. While other hitters work to get their numbers, Biggio uses the short porch to get his homeruns. The fact that MM Park is a hitters park WORKS AGAINST biggio. His numbers arent even as good as they were 3 years ago. You could say that he is getting old, but then again, he is playing in a hitters park. Biggio's knee ligaments do not affect his swing. The only thing they affect is his stolen bases. His swing does not change at all.
What the hell is going on. I can't believe there is a debate here. Roberto Alomar is the best 2nd baseman of the past 20 years. Better than Biggio. End of debate. I don't care about the stats...or how close they seem to be. 99% of baseball will agree with that statement. He is a better defensive player, and a better hitter. Alomar has the best fielding percentage all-time among 2b. 10 gold gloves. Biggio is one of my favorite players of all time. I speak with no bias. We will have to agree to disagree. Next topic.
http://www.astrosdaily.com/files/team/biggio/halloffame.html There's an interesting article considering Biggio's HOF case. God, I really hope he gets in; he deserves it. The article declares Alomar the better player, btw.
