After several successful seasons as the Astros' full-time backstop, Biggio was moved to second base in 1991 in an effort to protect his considerable speed from the rigors of catching. Although Biggio had been unhappy with a similar experiment in centerfield the previous season, he quickly warmed to his new position and soon distinguished himself as the only player ever selected as an All-Star both behind the plate and at second base. Biggio had played some shortstop in high school, but in his four years at Seton Hall University (where he teamed with future major-league stars Mo Vaughn and John Valentin) he was firmly ensconced behind the plate. Even then, Biggio showed rare speed for a catcher. The Astros' first-round draft pick in June 1987, Biggio was rushed to the majors in 1988 to replace the injured Alan Ashby and batted only .211 in his major-league debut. The following season -- as the first catcher in the majors to start and bat leadoff since the Orioles' Floyd Rayford in 1985 -- Biggio dramatically improved his performance at the plate (.257, 13 HR, 60 RBI) and stole 21 bases in 24 attempts, the second-best percentage in the NL. He also led the Astros with 26 infield hits. Biggio was regarded as a good handler of pitchers, but despite his agility he had his share of defensive liabilities. At one point in 1989, Biggio had allowed 39 consecutive stolen bases. The following season (his first full season in the majors) Biggio had no pickoffs, allowed 13 passed balls, and continued to fail miserably when it came to throwing out potential base stealers. His 17% success rate when it came to throwing out opposing runners was the worst in the majors, although manager Art Howe laid most of the blame on the Astros pitching staff. "Most of the time, [our pitchers] weren't even giving him a chance," Howe insisted. "Johnny Bench in his prime couldn't have thrown out some of those guys at second." Despite considerable improvement over the next few seasons, Biggio's speed made it clear that his future was elsewhere on the diamond. He was moved to center during the 1990 season for a brief trial run, but felt uncomfortable in the outfield, and the Astros' lack of depth behind the plate eventually forced his return to catching. Coached by Yogi Berra in the spring of 1991, Biggio had another outstanding season (.295, 4, 46, 19 stolen bases) and was named to his first All-Star Team, the first Astros catcher so honored. Nevertheless, Biggio began 1992 season at second base, replacing Casey Candaele. Helped by countless spring training drills (in one, Biggio used a ping-pong paddle to work on his glove positioning) the converted catcher made only twelve errors in 161 games at second and posted a respectable .984 fielding percentage, slightly above the league average. Biggio's considerable improvement at an unfamiliar position was impressive. Only three of his errors came after his second appearance at the All-Star Game in mid-July, and in 1994 he received the first of five consecutive Gold Glove awards. Biggio's shift may have helped the Astros solve their immediate problems at second base, but it led to a trade that would prove costly in the long run. To replace Biggio behind the plate, the Astros sent future All-Star Kenny Lofton to Cleveland as part of a deal for catching prospect Eddie Taubensee. In just over two years in Houston, Taubensee would hit just .234 for the Astros, while Lofton became a perennial All-Star for the Indians. Skilled at making contact but tough to double up, Biggio eventually settled into the second slot with the Astros, keying what would soon become one of the most powerful lineups in the majors. His on-base percentage often topped .400, helping to set the stage for sluggers Jeff Bagwell, Ken Caminiti, and (later) Derek Bell. In 1995, he led the National League with 123 runs scored (breaking Jimmy Wynn's team record of 117 in 1972) and for the first time was voted to start the All-Star Game at second base. He finished the season with 22 homers and 33 stolen bases, the first Astro to reach the 20-20 milestone since Kevin Bass in 1986. Many observers expected Biggio to leave Houston for greener pastures as free agency beckoned after his fine 1995 season. After Biggio turned down a $20 million offer from the Astros, he drew strong interest from the Rockies, Cardinals, and Padres. But Biggio decided to return after teammate Jeff Bagwell agreed to restructure his contract so that the Astros could offer a four-year deal worth over $22 million. Biggio continued to cement his reputation as the best second baseman in the National League with yet another All-Star campaign in 1996, becoming the only Astro ever to be twice voted a starter in the Midsummer Classic. His 146 runs in 1997 were the most by a National Leaguer since 1932, when Chuck Klein touched home plate 152 times for the Phillies. That season, Biggio set a personal best with 47 stolen bases and his 191 hits were second in club history only to Enos Cabell's 1978 total of 195. In 1998, he hit .325, shattering Cabell's record with 210 hits and passing Cesar Cedeno as the club's all-time runs leader. One of the most impressive benchmarks set by the former catcher was his franchise-record streak of 494 games played, which ended on August 5, 1998. A month later, Biggio became only the second player in baseball history (joining Tris Speaker, who did it in 1912) ever to hit 50 doubles and steal 50 bases in a single season. By his standards, Biggio had a mediocre season in 1999. Although he hit 56 doubles (the sixth highest total in NL history) and walked 88 times (his most since 1992), he suffered a major decline in speed as he stole only 28 bases and, for the first time in his career, didn't hit a triple. With the slower legs came a jolting injury in 2000. Usually known as a durable player, Biggio played in only 101 games as he tore two knee ligaments while turning a double play. The Astros weren't losing much as Biggio was having another below-average year, hitting only .268 with 12 stolen bases and only 13 doubles. The knee injury only exacerbated concerns about his ever-declining quickness, and in 2001 he stole fewer than 10 bases for the first time since his rookie year. (JGR)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 2, 1987: The Mariners select Cincinnati high schooler Ken Griffey Jr., the son of Braves OF Ken Griffey, with the first pick overall in the free-agent draft. Picking 2nd, the Pirates take Mark Merchant, while the Twins take another high schooler Willie Banks with the 3rd pick. The Cubs pick Mike Harkey and the White Sox pick Jack McDowell with the 6th selection. McDowell will be the first of this class to reach the majors, Picking 9th, the Royals take Kevin Appier and on the 58th round, take UCLA's Jeff Conine. With the 22nd pick, the Astros take Seton Hall's Craig Biggio, who will be the first non-pitcher from the draft to make the majors. Picking 6th in the first round, the Braves select Derek Lilliquist, and on the 13th round take Mike Stanton. Because of his expected high price tag, Mike Mussina is selected in the 13th round. Albert Belle, suspended by LSU's coach after chasing a fan, goes to the Indians in round 2. Robb Nen goes in the 32nd round.
»May 11, 1989: Just three days after vetoing a proposed trade to Pittsburgh for OF Glenn Wilson, 37-year-old catcher Alan Ashby is waived by the Astros making way for Craig Biggio to take over.
»July 24, 1990: Who needs a pickoff motion? Atlanta pitcher Charlie Leibrandt picks off Craig Biggio by beating him back to 1B. Hough wins the game, 9–3. Atlanta takes the nitecap from Houston scoring in the 8th and 9th to win, 9–8.
»September 5, 1995:
The Astros defeat the Reds, 10-1, in a game marked by a bench-clearing brawl that will lead to suspensions for Xavier Hernandez (8 games), Doug Drabek (5), Pat Borders (5), Ron Gant (4), Davey Johnson (2), and Terry Collins (2). Intentional walks backfire twice for Cincy. Ahead 1–0, they walk Jeff Bagwell in the 3rd (with Craig Biggio on 2B and one out)and Mike Simms homers. Undeterred, the Reds gave a free pass to pinch-hitter Dave Magadan in the 7th (with men on 2B and 3B and one out) and the score just 4–1. Derrick May then hits a grand slam.
»May 27, 1996: In Pittsburgh, Craig Biggio, triples, doubles and homers his first three times up to lead the Astros to a 5–3 win over the Bucs. Houston reaches .500 for the first time, while the Pirates have lost 16 of their last 20.
»May 26, 1997:
Barry Bonds has three hits, including a game-winning leadoff home run in the 9th, to give the Giants a 4–3 win over the Astros. Craig Biggio is 4-for-5 for Houston.
»September 29, 1997: The Pirates trip the playoff-bound Astros, 5–4 in 11 innings. Jose Guillen is the star, hitting a home run, driving in three and scoring the winning run. Craig Biggio, playing in his National League-best 381st straight game, is lifted for a pinch runner in the 4th. He ends the season of 162 games without grounding into a DP, tying Dick McAuliffe's major-league record set in 1968.
»March 31, 1998:
The Giants win their opener against the Astros, 9–4, as Jeff Kent gets five hits, including a double and home run, and drives home 4. Houston 2B Craig Biggio, who last year became only the 3rd player in major league history to go an entire season without grounding into a double play, hits into a twin–killing in his 2nd time up this year.
»August 5, 1998: In Houston's 5–3 loss to Florida, Craig Biggio sits out ending his streak of 494 consecutive games played.
»August 23, 1998:
Leadoff man Craig Biggio's double, two home runs, and six RBIs pace the Astros to a 13–3 victory over the Cubs. C Brad Ausmus also contributes to the cause with four hits and five ribbies for Houston. OF Sammy Sosa hits a pair of homers for Chicago, giving him 51 on the year.
»September 23, 1998: McGwire goes homerless in the Cards, 7–1 loss to the Astros as Randy Johnson clips the Birds for his 10th win. He strikes out eight in eight innings. Craig Biggio is 3–for–5 and swipes #50 to become the only player besides Tris Speaker in 1912, to have 50 doubles and 50 steals in a year.
»August 1, 2000: The Astros defeat the Marlins, 4-3. Houston 2B Craig Biggio suffers torn ligaments in his left knee while completing a double play, and will miss the rest of the season.
»July 8, 2001:
Lance Berkman has three hits to extend his streak to 21 games. It'll end here, but Moises Alou reaches 16 straight game today on his way to a 23-game streak. Jeff Bagwell and Mendy Lopez collect three RBIs for Houston as they outslug the Royals, 10–8. Scott Elarton is tossed in the first after plunking leadoff hitter Rey Sanchez in retaliation for Craig Biggio being hit.
»August 13, 2001: Craig Biggio hits his 26th leadoff home run on the first pitch from Jason Bere and the Astros never look back, beating the Cubs, 9–5. Shane Reynolds is the winner, now 7–0 against Chicago. The Cubs fall out of first place as the Astros take over.
»April 8, 2002: Houston turns back Colorado, 8–4, as Craig Biggio hits for the cycle. Biggio drives home four runs in recording the 6th cycle in Astros' history. He began the day batting .174.
»December 18, 2002: The Astros sign free agent 2B Jeff Kent to a 2-year, $18.2 million contract, with a $9 million option for 2005. Kent will play 2B and all–star second baseman Craig Biggio will move to the OF.
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