Yesterday afternoon El Jefe and I joined SIL and BIL at the last Astros game of the season. Today's game had the largest attendance of any game in the history of the team including the 2005 World Series games, despite the fact that this season was a dismal one for the 'Stros faithful and the outcome of the game was meaningless for both the home team and the visiting Atlanta Braves.
The fans turned out to honor second baseman and 20 year Astros veteran Craig Biggio, who announced a few weeks ago that he would retire at the end of the season.
We had wonderful seats for the game, thanks to the company SIL works for. Since that company is being sold to another company, this also marked the last time we'd have the chance to sit there. SIL will be looking for a new position after the acquisition, so in a way we were also marking the end of an era for her.
There were lots of plaudits and well-deserved tributes to Craig Biggio, whose reputation in the community is that of a solid family man and good guy--a refreshing change of pace from the media's attention on the "bad boys and girls" of the sports and entertainment worlds. Biggio got a hit, ripped his pants, and scored one of the 3 Astros runs. (Final score: 3-0, Astros) After the game, Biggio took a final run around the perimeter of Minute Maid park to the cheers of the crowd. It was a memorable moment.
Although, as El Jefe observed, being a successful professional athlete is hardly a vow of poverty and abstinence, still the money and attention that go with it have caused the downfall of many a promising career. And these days it's hard to find a player who stayed with a team for 20 two decades, isn't it? When a classy guy like Biggio sets a good example of how to handle the fame and keep important priorities straight, it is good for the community to celebrate and honor him as he makes a graceful exit from his playing career. Thanks, Craig.
The fans turned out to honor second baseman and 20 year Astros veteran Craig Biggio, who announced a few weeks ago that he would retire at the end of the season.
We had wonderful seats for the game, thanks to the company SIL works for. Since that company is being sold to another company, this also marked the last time we'd have the chance to sit there. SIL will be looking for a new position after the acquisition, so in a way we were also marking the end of an era for her.
There were lots of plaudits and well-deserved tributes to Craig Biggio, whose reputation in the community is that of a solid family man and good guy--a refreshing change of pace from the media's attention on the "bad boys and girls" of the sports and entertainment worlds. Biggio got a hit, ripped his pants, and scored one of the 3 Astros runs. (Final score: 3-0, Astros) After the game, Biggio took a final run around the perimeter of Minute Maid park to the cheers of the crowd. It was a memorable moment.
Although, as El Jefe observed, being a successful professional athlete is hardly a vow of poverty and abstinence, still the money and attention that go with it have caused the downfall of many a promising career. And these days it's hard to find a player who stayed with a team for 20 two decades, isn't it? When a classy guy like Biggio sets a good example of how to handle the fame and keep important priorities straight, it is good for the community to celebrate and honor him as he makes a graceful exit from his playing career. Thanks, Craig.
2 comments:
What a guy. It is harder and harder to find real heros isn't?
I couldn't agree more. His commitment to family, team, hard work, and to using his wealth for good has made him a Hall of Famer in my book long before he'll be enshrined in Cooperstown, which is sure to happen.
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