Houstonist's Mt. Rushmore of Sports: Craig Biggio

It's day two for Houstonist's Mt. Rushmore of Sports and today, Mr. Astro, Craig Biggio joins Earl Campbell.

Most people would have picked Nolan Ryan because he's just an easy pick. But if you think about it, Biggio is more deserving. He played 20 seasons and all were with the Houston team. He was taken 22nd overall in the first round of the 1987 MLB draft and it didn't take long for Biggio to make his mark.

Biggio was made the Astros full-time catcher in 1989 and that year he won a Silver Slugger award. Just two years later, Biggio was an All-Star catcher and management quickly realized his speed was something rare for his position so the change was made the following spring for him to move to second base.

In 1992, Biggio accomplished what no other player did in MLB history. One year after being named an All-Star catcher, he was named an All-Star second baseman and became the first player to be named an All-Star for those two positions. To this day, no one else has accomplished that.

The move to second base paid off for the Astros as Biggio adjusted well and he won four consecutive Gold Gloves from 1994-1997.

In 1997, Biggio accomplished another rare feat as he became only the third player in MLB history not to hit into a double play while playing in 162 games.

In 1998, the mulit-talented Biggo struck again as he became only the second player in MLB history to steal 50 bases and hit 50 doubles. Hall of Famer Tris Speaker is the only other player to do that.

In 2003, the Astros acquired Jeff Kent and Biggio was asked to move to the outfield. Biggio, the team player as he is, obliged without a gripe or hassle because he always put the team first.

In 2005, Biggio helped lead the Astros to the National League pennant and the team's first World Series by batting .264 with a career high 26 home runs. He also hit his 1,000th career RBI that year and becoming only the second Astro (Jeff Bagwell) to accomplish that milestone.

In 2007, Biggio announced that it would be his last year in the majors and on June 28, 2007, he had a night to remember as he went 5-for-5 in a historic night at Minute Maid Park to become the 20th member in the exclusive 3,000 hit club.

For his career, Biggio retired as a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger Award winner with four Gold Gloves. He is the only player in MLB history with over 3,000 hits, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases and 250 home runs. He also holds the modern day record of being hit by a pitch and he also has the most lead-off home runs in N.L. history. The milestones just go on and on for this Astros legend.

Currently, Biggio spends his time as the head coach of the St. Thomas High School baseball team here in Houston. He works for free.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user mrp1001.