The batting cages at Minute Maid Park crackle with hope that this is the year Craig Biggio takes his rightful place alongside the best of all time.
"He had an unbelievable career. He deserves every right to be in the hall of fame," Astros catcher Max Stassi said.
"I grew up watching him. He made a huge impact on me as a kid and I couldn't be happier for him," Astros outfielder Robbie Grossman said.
Biggio mentors the young Astros, teaching and encouraging while setting the highest possible standard.
"He's a very gifted person, but you don't get to the Hall of Fame unless you're very disciplined and a hard worker," Astros first baseman Brett Wallace said. "And he really mastered what he did."
What he did was exceed baseball's gold standard of 3,000 hits with 3,060 in 20 seasons, every one with the Astros.
Hall of Fame voter Kenny Hand reminds us Biggio's versatility sets him apart, even when it comes to the best in history.
"Not only is it unprecedented for a catcher, and he was drafted out of Seton Hall as a catcher, to go to second base and become an All Star at both positions," Hand said.
Hand voted for Biggio and he believes this is the year with the perfect representative for baseball in our city –- gritty and tough on the diamond and a great person off of it.
"For the city of Houston, for Colt 45s and Astros fans, this is a watershed moment because they've always longed to have a guy in the hall of fame that wears a Houston cap," Hand said.
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