I was aware of the number (25), which is dozens, meaning multiple (more than 1) dozen. To me, 3000 is just a round number that gets hype, it's not a record. Would Clemente's career have been less if he'd hit 2999 instead of 3000? Would Ricky Henderson not have been considered great if he hadn't hung around for 3000? Biggio's a lock for the HoF, imo. He's about way more than hits. His All-Star catcher to All-Star 2B was awesome, the year he avoided hitting into a single DP personified his relentless hustle down the line, his leadoff homers, his incredible doubles power (often overlooked) throughout his career, his efficiency on the bases, his range in his prime at 2B and ability to turn the DP, his leadership in the clubhouse... those are all what Biggio represents, to me. Not hanging around to hit some base hits number. I like having Biggio on the team, and can see the need for him this year with the offensive departures, but I wouldn't want to see him hang around if/when his performance drops off just to get to 3000. I just think it's a shame that we drafted a talented kid in the first round, developed him, he worked his way up through the system, and from what I understand plays ball the right way, and now the idea is to let him sit on the bench for the next 2 1/2 years. I don't think that's good for Burke, and it's wasteful for the organization.
So why did you choose the word "dozens" over the numerical reference "25"? "25" is much easier to type and gives a true representation of the number. Although semantically correct, "dozens" implies more than 2 dozen. If you bring home 24 donuts or eggs do you say you bought dozens of donuts or dozens of eggs? The casual fan would see "dozens" and think a lot more than 25. Which sounds more prestigious? With 3000 hits, Biggio will join 25 other players who have achieved that goal. With 3000 hits, Biggio will join dozens of other players who have achieved that goal?
Do you have any comment on the substance of my post, bobrek, or are you just interested in debating the semantics of a word that I randomly chose for my post (I wrote dozens, then looked up the exact number to make sure I was correct)? 25 is as meaningless to me as 3000. I could have written "many" or "lots" or "several", I just happened to pick dozens. Would 3000 hits mean less to you if 27 people had done it, instead of 25? What about 30? I could pick apart your post the same way, "With 3000 hits, Biggio will join" sounds awfully certain when only about half the people voting (mostly Astros fans, mind you) think he will get there. But that would be petty. Lighten up, seriously.
Essentially, Biggio had a decent offensive year last year. He has a goal of 3000 hits which means he would play 2-3 more years. Nothing wrong with him having that goal. I would also assume that Biggio's goal is to play productively for the next 2-3 years and if he sees that he can't do that, then I truly believe he'll retire with grace. Burke has had a productive minor league career and a good offensive spring training. Since I have not seen any ST games, I cannot comment on his defense. At this point there is no reason for him to unseat Biggio. As the year progresses, I am quite confident the Astros will do whatever is necessary to make the playoffs. If that means playing Biggio every day, they'll do it. If that means that Burke should play everyday, they'll do it. And to answer your question about 2999 hits vs. 3000, ask any golfer if he'd rather have a hole in two or a hole in one, ask any bowler if he'd rather bowl a 299 or a 300, ask any pitcher if he'd rather throw a winning 1 hitter or a winning no hitter. 3000 hits is a big deal and is a bigger deal than 2999. Does the one hit make a player greater than he would have been - no, but it is a significant milestone and indicative of a select group. Biggio is 361 hits away. If he achieves this goal in the 2007 season, he'll be 41 when he does it, not 42. As long as he is more productive than Burke and contributing to victories, he should continue playing.
How do you know who's more productive on a team, when 1 guy's on the bench and the other guy's starting? I honestly couldn't say that Biggio is better than Burke, or Burke is better than Biggio, without them both starting, and I don't see a way to make that work. And the difference between a 299 and a 300 in bowling, or a hole in 1 vs. a hole in 2, is perfection vs. imperfection for one game, or one hole. The analogy doesn't carry to a # that's based on career production.
You are exactly correct. Biggio may hit .300, but if Burke were playing he might hit .330. Since there is no way to tell, you start with the proven major leaguer until the team is not doing as well as it should because of him and then make the change.
Nothing really to add, except Biggio most likely will the the 28th player with 3000 hits, not the 26. Palmeiro is only 78 hits away, and Bonds is 270 away. Although Bonds would have to get back on the juice to be healthy enough to make it.
I want to see Craig get 3000 with the Astros,but not at the cost of being the best team we can be.Moving Biggio now would be more beneficial than suffering diminishing returns.I just don't see him being productive enough at the plate over the next couple of years to justify his inadeqaucies in the field.Besides that we have youngsters who are most likely ready to step in. Sell high! I would like to see Bidge get better with age,but his batspeed HAS decreased.He's shortened his swing and it's paying dividends,but the pitchers will catch up. I figure he'll be grinding it out in the American League after next year. ...and I agree that he's already solidified a spot in Cooperstown based on being an All Star at two positions...and his total hits which should end right around 3000.
Everyone seems to say that Bidge will be heading to the AL as a DH next season. What team is going to want a 40 year old guy to be they're everyday DH? Certainly not a contender. I guess a team like the Royals might offer him a deal, but I can't see Biggio playing for a bad team just to get 3000 hits. I still say that he'll be our starting 2B for the next 2-3 years and Burke will likely be traded. I just can't see Drayton letting him go anywhere else.
My thoughts exactly. 2nd base is argueably the least productive hitting position in the NL after the catcher spot. That's why Biggio can play as an above average hitting 2nd baseman. But as a DH, he doesn't really have what teams are looking for. As to his defense, he was a better defender at 2nd than Kent was. It's not like Burke has this outstanding defensive advantage over Biggio. If he was a SS or 3rd baseman, his defense would play more of a factor than what people are making it out to be.
