Craig Biggio Slide Show

By Chris Price

I just happened on this slide show of Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio. It was obviously done by a fan and is pretty good.

Usually we don't post fan related items to this blog, but this is an exception. The only problem I can see with it is that it stops rather abruptly.



Perhaps Craig Biggio should have a new nickname..."The Hardest Working Man In Baseball."

Yes! I like that. As the music asks, by the incredible lyrics of The Who in their song "Who Are You?"

So, "Who are you, who who, who who." I will tell you who he is. He is the "The Hardest Working Man In Baseball."

May 31: Cincinnati: 3 Hits, 2977 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

The Houston Astros and Craig Biggio try to break out of a 10 game losing streak tonight in the final game of their three game series against the Cincinnati Reds.

They indeed did break out of the slump, winning 10-2 with Biggio going 3 for 5 and raising his career hits total to 2977. That was his first three-hit game of the season. He again batted in the lead off spot in the batting order.

Biggio looked like the Biggio of old. He was hitting the ball well and even beat out a throw to first base from Alex Rodriguez.

My only comment is "Where was all this hitting in the past 10 games?" I am talking about the Astros. They scored 10 runs on 16 hits and played like they did in the second half of the 2005 season. (Remember, when they made their successful run to the World Series.)

They need to continue to play like this and stay focused on the long range game plan. I once had a coach who used to say when we had a good game, "Remember what you did today and do it again tomorrow." If fixing the Astrso problems were only that easy.

OK, enough with the commentary. On with how Biggio did.

1st inning: POPS OUT (facing right handed pitcher Branson Arroyo, 205, 3.99 ERA)
1: pops out to third baseman Edwin Encarnacion
Current batting average: .229

3rd inning: SINGLE (still facing Arroyo)
1: called strike
2: singles on a line drive to left fielder Adam Dunn
Current batting average: .233

5th inning: SINGLE (still facing Arroyo)
1: ball
2: called strike
3: ball
4: single on a ground ball t0 shortstop Alex Gonzalez
Current batting average: .237

NOTE #1: Biggio's last two hit game was May 19 in the Astros 6-1 win over the Texas Rangers.

NOTE #2: Lance Berkman hit a three run homer in the bottom of the 5th inning to take the score to 7-2. Biggio and Mark Loretta score.

6th inning: STRUCK OUT (facing right handed pitcher Brad Salmon, 0-1, 4.50 ERA)
1: called strike
2: foul
3: swinging strike
Current batting average: .236

8th inning: DOUBLE (facing left handed pitcher Mike Stanton, 1-2, 5.40 ERA)
1: ground rule double on a fly ball to right field.
Current batting average: .240

Biggio went 3 for 5 from the plate, with one RBI and one strike out. He raised his batting average to .240.

NOTE #3: The entire Astros team were selected as the GATORADE Player of the Game!

May 30: Cincinnati: 1 Hits, 2974 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

Manager Phil Garner moved Craig Biggio back to the leadoff hitter in the batting order. Biggio did ger one hit tonight, but the Astros dropped their 10th straight game the to the Cincinnati Reds 4-3. He did raise his career hitis total to 2974.

Here is how it went:

1st inning: POPS OUT (facing right handed pitcher Aaron Harang, 5-2, 4.50 ERA)
1: called strike
2: broken bat pop out to first baseman Jeff Conine
Current batting average: .229

3rd inning: STRUCK OUT (still facing Harang)
1: foul
2: called strike
3: foul
4: ball
5: ball
6: swinging strike
Current batting average: .228

6th inning: GROUNDED OUT (still facing Harang)
1: grounded out on a throw from third baseman Edwin Encarnacion to first baseman Jeff Conine.
Current batting average: .226

8th inning: DOUBLE (still facing harang)
1: swinging strike
2: doubles on a line drive to right fielder Ken Griffey, Jr.
Current batting average: .230

May 29: Cincinnati: 1 Hits, 2973 Career Total

By Chris Price

The Houston Astros and Craig Biggio dropped their ninth straight game 2-1 to the Cincinnati Reds.

Biggio went 1-3 from the sixth spot in the batting order to raise his career hits total to 2973.

Game two of the series tomorrow evening.

May 27: Arizona: Biggio Did Not Play

By Chris Price

Craig Biggio did not play in the Astros 8-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mark Loretta took his place at second base, batting second in the order.

Biggio's career hits total remains unchanged at 2972.

May 26: Arizona: 0 Hits, 2972 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio and his fellow Astros played game three in the four game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They lost another close game 5-4 to put their losing streak at seven. The final game of the series will be tomorrow.

Biggio was again sixth in the batting order and he went 0-4, striking out on in all at bats. He remains at 2972 career hits.

Here is how he did:

2nd inning: STRUCK OUT (facing right handed pitcher Brandon Webb, 3-3, 3.95 ERA)
1: called strike
2: bunt foul
3: ground foul
4: foul
5: swinging strike
Current batting average: .232

4th inning: STRUCK OUT (still facing Webb)
1: called strike
2: foul
3: foul
4: ball
5: four
6: swinging strike
Current batting average: .231

6th inning: STRUCK OUT (still facing Webb)
1: foul
2: pitchout
3: foul
4: foul
5: ball
6: ball
7: swinging strike
Current batting average: .230

9th inning: STRUCK OUT (facing right handed pitcher Jose Valverde, 0-2, 2.53 ERA)
1: called strike
2: swinging strike
3: foul
4: foul
5: foul
6: foul
7: swinging strike
Current batting average: .228

May 25: Arizona: 0 Hits, 2972 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio and the Houston Astros faced the Arizona Diamondback in the second game of the four game series.

Manager Phil Garner switched up position players and changed the batting order in an effort to light a fire and possibly increase their runs. Lance Berkman will now play right field, moving Mike Lamb to first base. Lamb will also lead off the batting order, moving Craig Biggio to sixth.

Personally, I think these changes are a smart move. Something needed to be done to spark the Astros. In addition, moving Biggio down in the batting order may allow him to hit a bit better.
His hitting in the lead off role was not producing as it should have been.

Time will tell if this was a good move. But that is what sports is all about: strategy.

Now for the story on the game!

The Astros pitching got drove for 13 runs off 17 hits in a 13-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Biggio went hitless tonight, remaining at 2972 career hits. The following is how he did.

1st inning: FLIES OUT (facing right handed pitcher Edgar Gonzalez, 1-2, 4.79 ERA)
1: ball
2: called strike
3: flies out to first baseman Conor Jackson
Current batting average: .236

4th inning: REACHES FIRST BASE ON AN ERROR (still facing Gonzalez)
1: ball
2: foul
3: ball
4: foul
5: reaches first base on a fielding error by second baseman Orlando Hudson.
Current batting average: .235

6th inning: WALK (facing right handed pitcher Juan Cruz, 2-0, 1.84 ERA)
1: called strike
2: ball
3: ball
4: ball
5: ball
Current batting average: .235

NOTE: Garner moved Lamb, Loretta, and Berkman to third base, shortstop, and first base respectively in the bottom of the 6th inning.

8th inning: GROUNDED OUT (facing right handed pitcher Brandon Lyon, 3-2, 2.14 ERA)
1: foul tip
2: ball
3: swinging strike
4: grounded out on a throw from shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Tony Clack.
Current batting average: .233

May 24: Arizona: 1 Hit, 2972 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly
(shown at the right is a Craig Biggio bobble head figure)

Craig Biggio and the Astros are in Arizona to face the Diamondbacks for a four game series. They are trying to snap a four game losing streak. They are currently 21-25 and 6 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tonight, the Astros extended their losing streak to five games as the went down 9-1 to the D-Backs.

Biggio had one hit on four at bats to take his career hit total to 2972. In addition he continued to lead off the batting order.

Here is how it went:

1st inning: HIT (facing right hander pitcher Micah Owings, 2-1, 4.86 ERA)
1: ball
2: called strike
3: singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young.
Current batting average: .242

2nd inning: FLIES OUT (still facing Owings)
1: flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.
Current batting average: 240

5th inning: FLIES OUT (still facing Owings)
1: ball
2: ball (almost hit by the pitch)
3: called strike
4: flies out to center fielder Eric Byrnes
Current batting average: .239

7th inning: FLIES OUT (still facing Owings)
1: ball
2: flies out to shortstop Stephen Drew
Current batting average: .237

NOTE: There were no drug cheats in this game, at least as far as I know. There may have been some in the game, but I am not aware of it.

May 23: San Francisco: 0 Hits, 2971 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

The Astros and Craig Biggio both came up short in the third game of the series against the San Francisco Giants.

The Astros drop the game by the score of 9-1 and Biggio went hitless in four at bats , with one walk.

Next team on tap: the Arizona Diamondbacks

NOTE: Drug cheat Barry Bonds did not play in the game. I guess he was feeling poorly.

May 22: San Francisco: Biggio Did Not Play

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio did not play in the Astros 4-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Mark Loretta took his place at second base, batting second in the order.

Biggio's career hits total remains unchanged at 2971.

NOTE: Drug cheat Barry Bonds again was home runless in four at bats. He had two intentional walks, struck out once and flied out. He was pulled in the 8th inning.

May 21: San Francisco 1 Hits, 2971 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio and the Astros dropped the first game of this three game series 4-0 to the San Francisco Giants.

Biggio went one for three and upped his career hit total to 2971.

Here is how he did:

1st inning: WALK (facing Noah Lowry, LHP, 5-4, 2.69 REA)
1: ball
2: ball
3: called strike
4: foul
5: ball
6: ball

3rd inning: HIT (still facing Lowry)
1: ball
2: singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Rich Airilia

5th inning: FLIES OUT (still facing Lowry)
1: flies out to right fielder Fred Lewis

7th inning: FIELDERS CHOICE (still facing Lowry)
1: called strike
2: advances to first base on a fielders choice to shortstop Omar Vizquel.

NOTE: Drug cheat Barry Bonds went one for two with two walks and no home runs. He did not advance any on his "illegitimate" quest for the home run record.

May 20: Rangers: 0 Hits, 2970 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

The Astros and Rangers faced off in game three of the Lone Star Series. The Astros lost the game by the score of 14-1, with the Rangers taking the series 2-1.

The final three games of the Lone Star Series will occur on June 22-24 when the Astros travel to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in a three game series. The winner of the home and ome series will take possession of the Silver Boot.

Craig Biggio started at second base and led off the batting order. He went 0 for 4 for the afternoon.

He remains at 2970 career hits. His game performance is as follows:

1st inning: FLIES OUT, facing right handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy (3-4, 6.51 ERA)
1: ball
2: flies out to right fielder Victor Diaz
Current batting average: .244

3rd inning: FLIES OUT, still facing McCarthy
1: called strike
2: flies out to center fielder Kenny Lofton
Current batting average: .242

5th inning: FLIES OUT, still facing McCarthy
1: swinging strike
2: flies out to center fielder Kenny Lofton
Current batting average: .241

8th inning: GROUNDS OUT, facing right handed pitcher Wes Littleton (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
1: ball
2: called strike
3: ball
4: ball
5: called strike
6: grounded out on a throw from pitcher Wes Littleton to first baseman Mark Teizeira
Current batting average: .240

Biggio and the Astros now leave on a seven game road trip. They will face the Sam Francisco Giants on May 21-23 (Monday through Wednesday) and the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 24-27 (Thursday through Sunday).

They return to Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, May 29 against the Cincinnati Reds.

May 19: Rangers: 2 Hits, 2970 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly
(the card at the right is the Upper Deck rookie card of Craig Biggio. It is one of my favorite designed cards in the Biggio series)

The Astros and Craig Biggio faced the Texas Rangers in game two of the Lone Star Series and won the game by the score of 6-1. The series now stands at 1-1 to take home the Silver Boot.

Biggio had two hits in four at bats, raising his career hits total to 2970.

Here is how the game went.

1st inning: FLIES OUT, facing left handed pitcher John Koronka (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
1: called strike
2: foul
3: files out to center fielder Kevin Mahar.
Current batting average: .239

3rd inning: HIT, still facing Koronka
1: ball
2: ball
3: singles on a bunt ground ball to thirdbaseman Travis Metcalf.
Current batting average: .244
Total career hits: 2969

4th inning: FLIES OUT, still facing Koronka
1: ball
2: ball
3: flies out to left fielder Nelson Cruz.
Current batting average: .242

6th inning: HIT, facing right handed pitcher Scott Feldman (1-2, 6.35 ERA)
1: called strike
2: ball
3: single on a line drive to right fielder Sammy Sosa.
Current batting average: .247
Total career hits: 2970

8th inning: POPS OUT, facing right handed pitcher Willie Eyre (1-2, 5.02 ERA)
1. ball
2: pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.
Current batting average: .245

Career Hits All Time Top 30

By Robert H. Kelly

As Craig Biggio marches towards 3000 career hits, I felt it would be nice to post the All Time Career Hit Lists Top 30 players. There are some great names on the list.

When Biggio does joins the "3000 Hits Club" he will be in an elite group. Add that to the fact that he did it with the same team makes the accomplishment all that more remarkable.

Each player is linked to their biography page on Wikipedia

1. Pete Rose 4,256
2. Ty Cobb 4,189
3. Hank Aaron 3,771
4. Stan Musial 3,630
5. Tris Speaker 3,514
6. Carl Yastrzemski 3,419
7. Cap Anson 3,418
8. Honus Wagner 3,415
9. Paul Molitor 3,319
10. Eddie Collins 3,312
11. Willie Mays 3,283
12. Eddie Murray 3,255
13. Nap Lajoie 3,242
14. Cal Ripken, Jr. 3,184
15. George Brett 3,154
16. Paul Waner 3,152
17. Robin Yount 3,142
18. Tony Gwynn 3,141
19. Dave Winfield 3,110
20.Rickey Henderson 3,055
21. Rod Carew 3,053
22. Lou Brock 3,023
23. Rafael Palmeiro 3,020
24. Wade Boggs 3,010
25. Al Kaline 3,007
26. Roberto Clemente 3,000
27. Sam Rice 2,987
28. Craig Biggio 2,968
29. Sam Crawford 2,961
30. Frank Robinson 2,943

May 18: Rangers: 2 Hits, 2968 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

WE ARE BACK ON TRACK!!!

I have spend some time after Friday night's game to catch up all my previous posts. Now I will hopefully be on track and keep the posts up to date.

So, with that out of the way, on with the post!!!

I was at the game tonight to watch the Houston Astros play the Texas Rangers in the first game of the Lone Star Series.

Craig Biggio went two for four with one run in the Astros 7-4 loss to the Rangers. He raised his career total to 2968.

Biggio continued to lead off the Astros batting order.

1st inning: Flies Out
1. Ball
2. He flies out to left fielder Nelson Cruz

3rd inning: Flies Out
1. Ball
2. Called Strike
3. Ball
4. He flies out to left fielder Nelson Cruz

6th inning: HIT
1. Ball
2. Swinging strike
3. He singles on a line drive to center fielder Kenny Lofton

8th inning: HIT
1. He doubles on a fly ball to center fielder Kenny Lofton.

NOTE: Biggio's double in the eighth inning was the thirteenth of the season.

Biggio is now at 2968 career hits.

In addition, he was named the Gatorade Player of the Game.

Biggio's current stats are as follows:
38 games
158 at bats
24 runs
38 hits
13 doubles
3 triples
3 home runs
15 RBIs
66 total bases
10 walks
33 strike outs
2 stolen bases
.288 on base percentage
.418 slugging percentage
.241 batting average

May 17: San Francisco: 0 Hits, 2966 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio again went hitless in the Astros 2-1 loss to the Giants.

His career hits remain unchanged at 2966.

PS: Drug cheat Barry Bonds was walked twice and struck out once. The Astros fans were very hostile towards him. I WONDER WHY????

May 16: Arizona: 0 Hits, 2966 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio was hitless in Houston's 2-1 win over the Giants.

PS: Barry Bonds had one hit, but no homeruns.

May 15: San Francisco: 0 Hits, 2966 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio did not get a hit in the Astros 6-5 win over the Giants.

he remains at 2966 career hits.

PS: Barry Bonds also had no hits and no homeruns in the game. In fact he was walked twice.

If more players were like Craig Biggio and less like Barry Bonds, the game of baseball would be a much better game! (this is my opinion, and not necessarily the opinion of all the staff of TexSport Publications.)

May 13: Arizona: 2 Hits, 2966 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio had two hits in the Astros 5-2 win over Arizona.

He now has 2966 career hits

May 12: Arizona: 1 Hits, 2964 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio went one for five in the Astros 10-4 wins over the Diamondbacks.

He now stands at 2964 career hits.

May 11: Arizona: 0 Hits, 2963 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio went 0 for 4 in the Astros 3-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacksas.

He remains at 2963 career hits.

May 10: Cincinnati: Biggio Did Not Play

By Robert H. kelly

Craig Biggio did not paly in the Astros 9-5 loss to the Reds

He remains at 2963 career hits.

May 9: Cincinnati: 1 Hit, 2963 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio got yet another hit in the Astros 3-2 win over the Reds.

He now has 2963 hits.

May 8: Cincinnati: 1 Hit, 2962 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio got yet another hit in the Astros 7-6 win over the Reds.

He now has 2962 hits.

May 7: Cincinnati: 1 Hit, 2961 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly
(the photo to the right is a 1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card of Sam Crawford)

Craig Biggio struck again with another hit in the Astros 5-4 win over the Reds.

He now stands at 2961 for his career.

He is tied with Sam Crawford for 29th place on the all time hit list.

Crawford primarily played for the Detroit Tigers. He played 18 years in the majors, starting in 1899 with the Cincinnati Reds. He jumped to the Tigers in 1903, when the team began play. He remained with the Tigers until his retirement.

May 6: St. Louis: 1 Hit, 2960 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio had one hit on four at bats in the Astros 3-1 loss to the Cardinals.

He now sits at 2960 career hits.

May 5: St. Louis: Biggio Did Not Play

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio did not play in the Astros 13-0 win over the Cardinals.

He remains at 2959 hits.

May 4: St. Louis: 2 Hits, 2959 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio had two hits in the Astros 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

This raises his career total to 2959 hits.

May 3: Cincinnati: 1 Hits, 2957 Total Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio got another hit in the Astros 7-5 win over the Reds.

He now has 2957 hits.

May 2: Cincinnati: 2 Hits, 2956 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio had a great game with two hits in five at bats in the Astros 3-1 victory over the Reds.

He now has 2956 hits.

May 1: Cincinnati: 1 Hits, 2954 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly


Craig Biggio went one for three with two runs in the in the Astros 11-2 trouncing by the Cincinnati Reds.

He is now at 2954 total career hits.

April 29: Milwaukee: 0 Hits, 2953 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio went zero for four in the Astros 3-1 loss to the Brewers.

He remains at 2953 total career hits.

April 28: Milwaukee: 1 Hits, 2953 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio scored another hit in the Astros victory over the Brewers.

His career total hit is now at 2953.

April 27: Milwaukee: 1 Hits, 2952 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio had a better game than the Astros as he had one hit in four at bats in the Astros 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

His career total hit is now at 2952.

Sorry for Not Posting Lately

By Robert H. Kelly

Things have been very busy and as a result, I have been unable to keep up with the posts.

My time is back to normal and Chris Price and I will return to our daily posting about Craig Biggio's march towards 3000 hits.