Craig Biggio ranks in the top 25 for career hits, doubles and runs scored. (Getty)
After coming percentage points away from being elected into the Hall of Fame in 2014, former Houston Astros star Craig Biggio made the cut this year.
In his 3rd year of eligibility, Biggio appeared on 82.7 percent of the 549 ballots, a year after getting 74.8 percent. A player must receive 75 percent of the vote in any given election year to be inducted. He had 68.2 percent of the votes in 2013.
Biggio, who played for the Astros from 1988-2007, will join pitchers Randy Johnson (97.3 percent), Pedro Martinez (91.1%) and John Smoltz (82.9%) as members of the 2015 Cooperstown class at the July 26 induction.
Notable players that failed to get enough votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America were Biggio’s Houston teammate 1B Jeff Bagwell, C Mike Piazza, OF Barry Bonds and P Curt Schilling.
Here’s what you need to know about Biggio and his Hall of Fame resume:
Craig Biggio’s Career Stats
Position: Catcher (428 games), Second Base (1,989 games), Outfield (363 games)
Seasons Played: 20
Games Played: 2,850 (16th in MLB history)
Batting Average: .281
At-Bats: 10,876 (13th)
Hits: 3,060 (21st)
Walks: 1,160 (66th)
On-Base Percentage: .363
Runs Scored: 1,844 (15th)
Home Runs: 291 (145th)
RBIs: 1,175 (166th)
Doubles: 668 (5th)
Triples: 55
Stolen Bases: 414 (66th)
Strikeouts: 1,753 (20th)
Hit By Pitch: 285 (2nd)
Fielding Percentage: .985 – .989 at C (52nd), .984 at 2B, .980 at OF
Postseason Numbers: 40 games, 39-for-167 (.234) with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs
Craig Biggo’s Bio
(Getty)
Biggio, 49, went to Kings Park High School in Kings Park, N.Y., before playing at Seton Hall. The Astros selected him 22nd overall in the 1987 draft.
Biggio played in just 141 minor league games before joining the Astros midway through the 1988 season.
He played mostly catcher with some outfield sprinkled in until he made the switch to second base in 1992. Biggio remained at 2B for most of the remainder of his career except for the 2003 and ’04 seasons when he played outfield.
He made over $82 million in his 20 years, with his largest single-season being $9.75 million in 2003.
Biggio, who played his final game on Sept. 30, 2007, is married to wife Patty and they have 2 sons (Conor, 22, and Cavan, 19) and a daughter (Quinn, 15).
He is the baseball coach at St. Thomas High School in Houston.
Craig Biggio’s Highlights & Accomplishments
7-time All-Star (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
4-time Gold Glove Winner (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
5-time Silver Slugger Award Winner (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998)
4th in MVP Voting (1997)
Led the NL in Doubles 3 Times (44 in 1994, 51 in 1998, 56 in 1999)
Led the NL in Runs Scored 2 Times (123 in 1995, 146 in 1997)
Led the NL in Stolen Bases 1 Time (39 in 1994)
Roberto Clemente Award (2007)
Branch Rickey Award (1997)
Hutch Award (2005)
No. 7 Jersey retired by Houston