It was an end of an era today as Houston Astro Craig Biggio announced that he will retire after this season after 20 years with the Astros organization.
"Today is definitely a tough day for me, as I'm making it official -- at the end of the season, I'm retiring from baseball and saying goodbye to this great game that I love," Biggio announced in a blog entry on MLB.com. "This is definitely an emotional day, and it's going to be an emotional last two months of the season. The only thing I can really say to you, the fans, is thank you."
Biggio made headlines a few months ago as he joined an elite club of baseball greats when he reached a milestone of 3,000 hits. He was one of 27 players all time to reach 3,000 hits and one of 9 to do it with the same team.
This is an emotional day for Biggio as well as the Houston Astros’ fans who have grown up watching him and rooting for this ‘Good Guy.’ The last few years has been an emotional one for the organization with the retirement of Biggio’s closest friend Jeff Bagwell, a trip to the World Series that came up short and now Biggio’s retirement.
Playing 15+ years in the same organization with Bagwell, Biggio helped cultivate the reputation around the league of a classy clubhouse and classy organization. Biggio and Bagwell will forever be linked. They are best friends and model teammates. In fact, when Biggio got his milestone hit, he pulled Bagwell out of the locker room and onto the field to share in the moment.
Biggio is the hardest working player in the league. He is the all-time leader in doubles for a right-handed hitter. He is one of few players who has been invited to the All-Star game for different positions.
Biggio leaves it all on the field. He never complains. He knows how to talk to the media, to the fans. He plays for the love of the game. In 20 years, he never jumped teams for more money. The controversies surrounding Biggio stem from things like his Sunshine Kids pin. He got in trouble this year during spring training for wearing a pin with the logo of the charity he is affiliated with, the Sunshine Kids.
I, for one, will mourn not seeing him on the field. Thanks, Biggio, for reminding players everywhere what the game and love of baseball is all about. Thank you for the 20 years of entertainment and hard work! Thank you for all your work for kids! Thank you for being a role model to my son and kids everywhere! We will miss you!
