 (c) Houston Astros |
Seasons: 1988-2002
1401 runs, .377 OBP, 381 SB
Key comments:
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THE ASTROS ALL-TIME TEAM - SECOND BASE
Starter: Craig Biggio
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Runner-up: Joe Morgan
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Other mentions : Bill Doran, Art Howe
Full comments:
Greg Lucas:
Bill McCurdy:
Ray Kerby:
Andy Tomczeszyn:
John Lauck:
Not to worry. Biggio, in playing his entire career with the Astros, has put up
numbers that stand up well next to Morgan’s and that will merit Hall Of Fame
consideration when he’s done. Other Houston players have been faster and have
hit the baseball more powerfully than Biggio, but few have brought his
combination of power and speed to the game and sustained it for so long. He is,
as exemplified by his all-star play at both catcher and second base, one of the
finest pure athletes the Astros have ever put on the field. His 1997 season-- .309/22/81, 146 RS--
was one of the great years of all time for any second
baseman, and it was nearly matched by what Biggio did in the two following
seasons in the power categories. Like Bagwell, the way Biggio plays the game is
as striking as the results he has achieved. Biggio is the closest thing the
Astros have ever had to the iron-tough, dirt-scarred, often-controversial
players of the 1920s (including, as part of that controversy, the yearly debate
over the arm padding Biggio wears.) To his credit, however, Biggio leaves his
tough play between the lines, and off the field represents himself and the ball
club very well.
His backup on this team, Bill Doran, doesn’t rank nearly as high as Biggio in
Total Baseball’s Total Player Rating stat (Biggio’s is 35.6; Doran’s is 1.9)
mostly because of his lack of power, but anyone who ever saw Doran play during
the peak of his long career as an Astro knows why he’s here. In many ways, he
was similar to Biggio. His toughness, his ability to get on base, and his range
defensively were all comparable to Biggio’s. It’s hard to imagine the Astros
winning the NL West in 1986 without him.
Gene Elston: Joe Morgan & Art Howe.
Craig Biggio is a solid pick over Bill Doran as #2. Joe Morgan misses because his greatest
years with with Cincinnati and not Houston.
Michael Nash:
Craig Biggio & Joe Morgan. A very nice duo. Biggio could well join Morgan in the Hall
and gets the nod here for having spent all of his career in Houston. Too many people forget Morgan spent more
years in Houston than in Cincinnati.
Starter: Craig Biggio is the 2nd greatest position player in Astros history. Backup: Joe
Morgan was a Hall of Famer, but his really great years were all sadly spent with the Reds. For that reason, I
couldn’t take “Little Joe” over Mr. Biggio.
Bob Hulsey:
Starter - Craig Biggio (R): Simply outstanding in so many areas and covers the "emergency
catcher" role as well. Backup - Joe Morgan (L): I know his Houston stats don't match his years in Cincy. Had he
not come back to lead the 1980 squad, I would have chosen Doran.
Craig Biggio has had a phenomenal career, and Astros fans have been fortunate to witness it
first-hand. Biggio's not a lock for the Hall of Fame, but I believe he is deserving. Morgan had many great years in
Houston, enough to give him a decisive edge of Bill Doran for the backup spot on this team.
Jeff Burk:
Craig Biggio & Joe Morgan. The popular notion is that Morgan was pretty good as an Astro
but blossomed only after joining the Reds. In fact, Morgan was as excellent offensively in Houston as Biggio has
been (both OPS+ 130). Biggio has played many more games than Morgan as the Astros second baseman, which is
why Biggio is the all-time starter.
Craig Biggio & Bill Doran. Biggio should end up in the Hall of Fame. For a 3 year
period 1997-1999, Biggio was arguably the best player in the game of baseball. Injury and age have diminished his
skills, but that shouldn't count against him here. Doran ranks over Joe Morgan for me for sentimental reasons, and
for the fact that Morgan's best season were spent in Cincinnati. When we played baseball in the neighborhood, I
was always Billy D.
Darrell Pittman:
Craig Biggio & Joe Morgan. While Morgan's already in the Hall of Fame, for the Astros
All-Time Team one has to tilt to Biggio at second due to his length of service and obviously, his consistent impact
on the "Killer B" offenses of the 1990s in his prime, and his contributions on defense. Morgan, to date, is still the
better second baseman overall, but Biggio's contributions to the Astros weigh heavier. If only Little Joe could have
stayed in Houston.
Craig Biggio & Bill Doran. Many people might be expecting to see Joe Morgan’s name in
one of the two places above, but Morgan, as memorable as he is in his two tours of duty
with the Astros, and as identified with Houston as he was from 1965 through
1971, achieved a career of such distinction as a Cincinnati Red that, for me,
and I daresay for others, he is a Red, and always will be.
