I'm 34 years old, and have been an Astros baseball fan since I moved to Houston at the young age of 4. Yesterday, September 30, 2007, my favorite player of all time retired. Craig Biggio - #7 - hit his 3060th hit (668th double) in the 1st inning to top off a 20 year career with the Houston Astros.
Biggio was always one of those constants in life. I grew up: Biggio is playing for the Astros (playing catcher). I graduated from high school: Biggio is playing for the Astros (now at 2nd base). I graduated from college: Biggio is playing for the Astros. I started my first job out of grad school: Biggio is playing for the Astros. I moved to Malaysia and move back to Houston again: Biggio is playing for the Astros (now in center field). I watched the Astros play (and get swept) in the World Series: Biggio is *still* playing for the Astros (back at 2nd base).
I remember as a kid going to Astros games in the Astrodome with my family: my parents would buy the $1 outfield tickets and we would sit in right or center field to cheer on the likes of Jose Cruz (now 1st base coach) or heckle the visiting team's outfielders. I watched Nolan Ryan pitch multiple no-hitters. I had a crush on 2nd baseman, Billie Doran. I watched Mike Scott pitch us into the playoffs. And then came Biggio in 1988. He's just a stand up guy and a solid ball player.
So September, 2007, ends with a pitiful season by the team as a whole, but certainly some bright shining moments by B-G-O. The "Killer B's" didn't have quite the sting as previous seasons, but for me it will be a season I remember forever. I cried to see Biggio go, but happy I was able to grow my love for baseball during the time he played for the Astros. It wouldn't have happened without him.
Image: My #7 Biggio jersey.
