Biggio one and done to end his great career?

[KFDM COOP]

Biggio one and done to end his great career?

Biggio will reveal plans when 'time is right'

Astros second baseman Craig Biggio has figured out how he wants his career to end.

He just isn't telling anyone yet.

"I know exactly what I want to do in my mind," Biggio said. "I'm just hoping it works out that way."

The first step for Biggio would be to get the 70 hits he needs for 3,000.

His next step might be to announce his retirement, effective at the end of the season.

Biggio, 41, hinted at such a plan Tuesday in an interview with FOXSports.com.

"When the time is right, I'm going to let everybody know," he says. "I think it's fair to the fans to let them know. I think they should know."

He then mentioned former teammate Jeff Bagwell's final appearance in a Grapefruit League game last March.

"If a lot of fans knew that was going to be Baggy's last game, they would have filled the stadium," Biggio said. "People would have come out in appreciation of how he played the game over the years.

"He just wasn't able to get back from an injury. In general, I'm going to be honest with the fans."

By doing so, Biggio would give himself the opportunity to take a victory lap around the National League and allow Astros fans to celebrate the end of a 20-year, likely Hall of Fame career.

Cal Ripken took a similar approach with the Orioles in 2001, announcing on June 19 that he intended to retire at the end of the season.

Biggio makes no secret of his desire to spend more time with his wife, Patty, and three children — Conor, 14, Cavan, 11, and Quinn, 7.

"I love the game. I love my family. And I miss my family," Biggio says. "They've paid a big sacrifice.

"As an older player, with your kids getting ready to go to high school, it gets harder and harder each year, especially coming down here (to spring training)."

Biggio's agent, Barry Axelrod, says that Biggio has been saying such things for the past four or five years.

"As his boys get closer to his high-school years, I think he's dying to be around them more," Axelrod says.

"This is the last year of his contract. I guess if he hits .325, maybe they'll talk to us about one more. I can't predict anything. But I would think it's winding down."

It has been a pleasure to watch this guy compete day in and day out for almost 20 years. Talk about a true gamer. HOF'er in my book

[Diehardstro]

Absolutely the epitome of a professional baseball player.

Capping that career with several deserved career records and a farewell round of NL ballparks is certainly a reward he has earned. I wish him the best. He has brought countless hours of entertainment to us all. It will be sad to see him go...

[go stros]

yeah....it will....it would be nice to get him a ring befor its all over....and keep an eye out for 2998 or so....thats when u may wanna start gettin tickets to see that magical 3000th hit....if its done at home the place will ERUPT....and im sure he will get somethin close to the 3 min standing O that Clemens got last year(at the end of the season of course)....truely a class act....and im gonna miss watchin him