Giff & Butch talk about Biggio's countdown to 3,000

Craig Biggio is chasing down 3,000.

When Biggio gets his 3,000th hit, he will join an exclusive club in the Big Leagues. Only 26 others have reached the magic number, including Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and Pete Rose.

The 3,000th hit should punch Biggio's ticket to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame.

Many fans are hoping the 41-year-old, who is now in his 20th season with the Astros, will stick around long enough to get 300 home runs. Only 9 players with 3,000 hits also have at least 300 homers.

The Astros have made it clear Biggio won't hit No. 3,000 on the road. His 2,996th hit was a tiebreaking RBI double in the 10th inning against the Rangers on June 24.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. That was a pretty special one right there,” Biggio said. “It was a big run for us right there.  To come back like we did, there are a lot of heroes.”

Even in the other major league park in Texas, fans were chanting “Big-gio” when he came to bat.

“I’m excited about it, the fans cheering for you. It’s great, I love Texas,” Biggio said. “To win this way was pretty exciting.”

An assortment of achievements

But hitting isn't the only thing that's garnered Biggio national attention.

In 2006, Biggio passed up Cal Ripken in doubles. Since he started playing second base full-time in 1992, he's won Four Gold Glove awards. He won the Silver Slugger award in 1989, his first full season with the Astros.

He was the first player in baseball history to be an All-Star at catcher and second base in 1992.

In 1998 he became only the second player to have 50 stolen bases and 50 doubles in one season.

But not all of his records are ones to brag about: He's also got a reputation for being hit by pitches. He holds the modern-day record for being hit by pitches, but despite this he has never charged the mound.

Devotion on and off the field

Definitely one of "the good guys," Biggio has made a name for himself in the Houston area beyond being a baseball player. He has supported the Sunshine Kids, a group dedicated to children with cancer, for nearly his entire professional career.

Every year Biggio hosts a party on the field for the Sunshine Kids, which brings smiles and attention to the children's cause.

HOUSTON ASTROS

Biggio hosts an annual party for the Sunshine Kids at Minute Maid Park.

He wore the Sunshine Kids pin on his hat during spring training for years until the MLB told him he could no longer do it, sparking criticism and outcry.

“I’m not a disrespectful person, and I don’t disrespect the game,” Biggio said at the time. “But I’ve been wearing this pin for 20 years because it puts smiles on 20,000-something cancer patients’ faces.”

The MLB eventually relented and let him wear the pin.

Biggio was Houston's 1991 nominee for the Bart Giamatti Caring Award, given annually to a Major League player to recognize his community involvement. He won the 1997 Branch Rickey Award for community service.

He was named one of "The Sporting News" Good Guys in 2004 for his charitable efforts.

Biggio was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame on Nov. 12, 2004 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 9, 2005.

AP

June 24: Biggio hits No. 2,996 in Arlington.

Biggio, his wife Patty and their three children -- Conor, Cavan and Quinn -- make their offseason home in Houston.

The Associated Press and MLB.com contrbuted to this report.