SI.com article on Biggio

[MusicMan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/10/01/biggio/1.html

Good stuff.  It took me a while to remember the name "Whitney Pastorek", and she's apparently the Entertainment Weekly writer who did that atrocious season preview.  This one, however, I think she gets right.

[Ty in Tampa]

Very nice article. Well done.

[hostros7]

She has come a long way...in the last few paragraphs it seems she finally learned bagwell retired a couple years back.  In all seriousness though, I think she does a fine job, particuarly in letting the words of others speak.

[T. J.]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/10/01/biggio/1.html

Good stuff.  It took me a while to remember the name "Whitney Pastorek", and she's apparently the Entertainment Weekly writer who did that atrocious season preview.  This one, however, I think she gets right.

Note, your link points to the second page of the article.  Strangely enough, it reads fine starting from there so I didn't even notice until I saw the link on SI's home page and clicked it.  I thought I was reading another story until I got to the second page. 

Here's the link to the beginning:  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/10/01/biggio/index.html

[utastro]

Note, your link points to the second page of the article.  Strangely enough, it reads fine starting from there...

Ha, I did the same thing.  I read the last 2 pages and noticed it said 3 of 3.  I thought that was strange since I knew I had read only 2 pages.  Then I scrolled all the way back to page 1.  Page 1 does do a nice job of setting up the story though.

[ybbodeus]

Pretty damn thorough.  Thanks for posting that link.

[ValpoCory]

Good article.  I'm not sure I agree with this nugget:

"He's walking away [from the chance at 300 home runs] ... because he just doesn't care so much about all that stats stuff. "

On the contrary, he was always cognizant of every statistical milestone, asking for a ball to be taken out of play seemingly two or three times each week.

[pravata]

Good article.  I'm not sure I agree with this nugget:

"He's walking away [from the chance at 300 home runs] ... because he just doesn't care so much about all that stats stuff. "

On the contrary, he was always cognizant of every statistical milestone, asking for a ball to be taken out of play seemingly two or three times each week.

Including the first ball he caught on Saturday.

[Arky Vaughan]

Good article.  I'm not sure I agree with this nugget:

"He's walking away [from the chance at 300 home runs] ... because he just doesn't care so much about all that stats stuff. "

On the contrary, he was always cognizant of every statistical milestone, asking for a ball to be taken out of play seemingly two or three times each week.

Given that getting to 300 home runs would probably have taken another 500 at-bats, I think Biggio made the correct decision and, if not, might have had it made for him.

[Mr. Happy]

Given that getting to 300 home runs would probably have taken another 500 at-bats, I think Biggio made the correct decision and, if not, might have had it made for him.

I wonder if the Astros would have given him another 500 or so at bats to get to 300 home runs.

[ybbodeus]

Good article.  I'm not sure I agree with this nugget:

"He's walking away [from the chance at 300 home runs] ... because he just doesn't care so much about all that stats stuff. "

On the contrary, he was always cognizant of every statistical milestone, asking for a ball to be taken out of play seemingly two or three times each week.

I think the writer was trying to suggest that his drive and style of play weren't necessarily dictated by stats, save perhaps the mighty 3,000 effort.  Cognizant of the milestones, yes, but not ruled by them as much as by his Charlie Hustle, Jr. approach.  That isn't to suggest that records and milestones were immaterial to him, as you pointed out, because he probably needs a trophy room the size of a Peterbilt to house all the equipment he's had removed and tagged from games.

Man, is it going to feel odd not seeing him on the field next year?  He was already with the big club when I moved here in the summer of '89, and he was still here when I almost moved away in '02.  Then he hung around for five MORE years.  Sunday was tough to watch and at the same time joyous to behold.  I'm sure glad he was an Astro; I feel privileged.  He and Bagwell were a superb pair.

Now, go kick it in the rear next year, Berkman!!!

[jaklewein]

Man, is it going to feel odd not seeing him on the field next year? 

I take a week long vacation in Kissimmee almost every year and have been doing so since 1996.  Not seeing him there is going to be quite a change.  I've stated here plenty of times before, so pardon me for the repitition...but Bidge was the last player that I'll look at as more than just a guy playing a game.  He was my kid-hero.  Down in FL last year, even at the age of 32, I would still act like a nervous little kid if I saw him walking by at a practice or down the line before a game.  His ABs were still the only thing (an Oswalt pitching) that would keep me from going to the men's room, or the concession stand for a brew.  Sure there are other great players to follow (Oswalt's now at the top of my list), but it  won't be the same.