This is the first in a series of articles about candidates for the Illowa League Hall of Fame.
Craig Biggio came into the IAL in the expansion draft of 1997, taken by the State Street Sluggers. He was immediately dealt to the Aurora (now Three Rivers) Gamblers. Despite missing what would have been the first eight seasons of his career if he had been drafted when first eligible (probably 1989) he played 11 excellent seasons, exclusively playing for the Gamblers.
In his first four years, Craig only missed 7 games, scored at least 100 runs in each season (including 163 in 1998, the second most in any single season), and was possibly the league’s best leadoff hitter. He missed 63 games in 2001 and was never quite the same afterwards. His 1,000 runs and steals rank 42nd all time as of 2009, and his doubles rank 31st. Only 11 middle infielders in IAL history have more hits. He was also always one of the best fielding second basemen of his day. Losing those first eight years of his career might make him an outsider when the Hall of Fame voting, but he certainly belongs in the conversation.
Craig Biggio
Games: 1596
At-Bats: 5,762
Hits: 1,571
Runs: 1,000
Doubles: 380
Triples: 26
Homers: 150
RBI: 694
Walks: 611
Strikeouts: 959
Stolen Bases: 241
AVG/OBP/SLG: .273/.347/.426
He certainly has my vote and is more than worthy of entry to the HOF not only in ILLOWA but in the actual HOF as well.
I think he’s borderline for the IAL, just because he missed about 40% of his actual MLB career – he could have easily had another 1,000 hits, and then we’re talking about who’s the better IAL middle infielder – Biggio or Cal Ripken. In real life, I think he’s a lock for the HoF.
ask Bill James.. you’d get his vote.