Born: 12/14/1965 in Smithtown, New York
Major League Career: 1988-2007
Games Played at Second Base: 1,989
Most Games Played For: Houston Astros
Photo via Larry James' Urban Daily
Craig Biggio began his Major League career as a catcher, even making the All-Star team at that position. He switched to second base in 1992. While not yet eligible, he compiled career numbers which would suggest he's a lock for the Hall of Fame: 3,060 hits, 668 doubles (fifth all-time and first among right-handed hitters), 291 home runs and 414 stolen bases. However, the mere suspicion of steroid use may hold him back, as with many of his contemporaries. Among his many interesting career distinctions, Biggio holds the modern-era record for most times being hit by a pitch.
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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.
Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.
Be sure to visit:
Mrs. Mock at Exclamation Point (!)
My new friend Mark K at The New DM's Screen.
I may even learn enough about baseball in the interim to understand their importance. Well, hopefully.
ReplyDeleteYay for baseball!
ReplyDeleteAre you going to have former Tigers second baseman Lou Whittaker on any posts? Growing up in the 80s him and shortstop Alan Trammell were such a great duo, though of course neither will ever get in the Hall of Fame because baseball's a bunch of expletives when it comes to that.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I wish the Tigers of 2011 had a decent second baseman. Haven't had one of those since Placido Polanco left.
I don't want to give too much away but I can assure you the Tigers will get plenty of love in my A-Z list. Whitaker's a particularly interesting case where the Hall is concerned. Stay tuned.
DeleteWhat! You didn't think of Don Gutteridge last year? I remember him as the manager of the White Sox from '69-'70.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a great idea. Sorry I missed last year.
This year and last, I set the criteria before I picked the players. For my 2011 list, years of service were the coin of the realm. Mr. Gutteridge's four years as a St. Louis Brown fall well short of Wally Gerber's twelve. (Yes, I know you're just needling me but objective criteria or crucial if I'm not to be faced with terrible dilemmas. Otherwise the letter R could have been real trouble for me last year.)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I don't follow baseball, but I think it's cool that you have a theme. Very ambitious.
ReplyDeleteMichelle :)
www.michelle-pickett.com/blog
That's right, Astros for the win. Go Houston! Thanks for the Astros shout out - was NOT expecting that in this challenge. An awesome surprise. Great post and happy A-Z challenge.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love the blog title (squids are awesome) and the Huxley quote.
I'm pretty sure that in the above picture, Biggio's about to plant a devastating flying knee to the face of Jacob Cruz, who undoubtedly deserved it, because we all know Reds is just slang for Communists. And with those kind of skills, how can he not be a lock of the HoF? (Though, it's a shame Bagwell doesn't have a the same body type, or he'd be in already.)
ReplyDeleteWhoa! What a picture. I feel bad for the guy on the ground. lol
ReplyDeleteDon't follow baseball myself, but I do loove that picture!
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Hello, Squid.
ReplyDeleteI am nice and congested and miserable and wiling away the day going through the A - Z blogs in lieu of sleeping -- I should probably be sleeping this thing off. Anyway, as I tick through each one with impeccable method despite my head feeling like it will literally detonate from this formidable sinus pressure at any moment, I can't help notice that you are following a lot. Of blogs. It could be a drinking game. Will the Squid be on the next follower widget? Five of five? Three out of the next seven? One of two?
I appreciate the visit, Suze. Go sleep, for cryin' out loud!
DeleteI do follow many. What can I say? I'm a joiner!
I'd hate to have the record for the most beaners. I'd get headaches all the time. ***New Follower**
ReplyDelete- Maurice Mitchell
The Geek Twins
Film Sketchr
@thegeektwins
@mauricem1972
What a terrific theme! I'm really sorry I missed your posts last year, because I was a long-time Orioles fan. (Nothing like growing up with the Orioles and Colts and then moving from MD to Braves-Falcons country back when they were so bad they couldn't even give tickets away.)Anyway, great theme. Happy A-Zing!
ReplyDeleteI love baseball, though don't keep up with it like I used to. I still have thousands of baseball cards boxed up from the 80's. They are worthless, but I still enjoy looking at them every few years.
ReplyDeleteGreat theme!
Love that stat: most times hit by pitch! He must be black and blue all over. And I think Kevin Youkilis might take over that record someday. Great theme, and as a Red Sox fan, I hope you're planning to do Dustin Pedroia!
ReplyDeleteA 2 Z with second base players? This should be interesting! Esp. when you hit X and Z...
ReplyDeleteThis is a great theme. I enjoyed your post!
ReplyDelete