Craig Biggio hit a single in the 7th inning of the Houston Astros game against the Colorado Rockies for the 3000th hit of his major league career. The face of of the the Astros organization, Biggio, 41, has been sitting out a few games, but was able to accomplish the feat at home against Colorado with his family watching.
Biggio becomes the 27th member of an illustrious group of hitters such as Ty Cobb, Roberto Clemente, Pete Rose, George Brett, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays. The milestone will also make him a certain hall of famer.
The seven-time All-Star is the only player in Major League history to have more than 600 doubles (658), 250 home runs (286), 2,700 hits (2,997) and 400 stolen bases (413), (The Sports Network.com).
The 41-year-old, who entered the season needing 70 hits to reach the milestone, has played his entire 20-year career with the Astros, making him the longest-tenured player in franchise history.
The sellout crowd stood and chanted “Bi-ggi-o” at each bat and cameras twinkled with each pitch. Fans held signs that read “Mr. 3,000” and “Biggio’s Hit Parade.” One woman wore an orange shirt with that featured block letters that read “Biggio” and “3,000.”
His 3,000th hit came one day shy of the 19th anniversary of his first career hit, a single off Orel Hershiser on June 29, 1988, (Associated Press)In a television interview only a few days ago Biggio maintained that think he was most proud of in his career is just the way he played the game the right way.
Only a few hours prior to Biggio’s amazing feat, Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas became the 21st player in major league history to hit 500 home runs, hitting his 500th in a 7-4 loss to the Twins.
Thomas was the hero of the game, despite Torii Hunter’s two home runs, as a received a standing ovation from the crowd after hitting his 500th home run. He later hit a double and tied his season high in RBIs with four. In the ninth inning he got ejected from the game.
“I’m probably the first to get 500 home runs and get thrown out of the ballgame,” Thomas said. “That’s something I didn’t want to happen, but the moment just got the best of me.”
“I’ve still got hunger and desire. You saw that in the ninth inning,” he said. “I still care. The game wasn’t over in my opinion, and I was up there to battle,” (ESPN.com).
Thomas’ family had to catch an early flight on Thursday, and did not witness the ejection. His daughter told him that he must break the record in his frist few at-bats, (ESPN.com). Thomas did just that hitting his 3-run shot in the first inning.
Hunter joked that you can’t upsage 500 homeruns that he’ll be lucky to get 300. Hunter currently has 181 career jacks. Also within reach of the 500 HR plateau this year are Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome.
