Collecting Astros, Craig Biggio

I love Craig Biggio.  Got me a big old man-crush on him.  He’s an old-school ball player, playing with the Astros from day one, and always willing to do whatever was necessary to play.  Change from catcher to second base?  Sure, and make the All-Star team at each position.  Second to Center Field?  Naturally.  Center field back to Second?  Of course!  3000 hits?  Not a problem!  First Ballot Hall of Fame?  You damn well better believe it.

I’ve got 213 of his cards, although I’ve yet to get either of the 1988 rookies of him.  List after the break.

1989:  Donruss, Topps, Upper Deck

1990:  Donruss Best NL, Topps, Topps AS, Upper Deck

1991:  Leaf, Score, Studio, Ultra, Upper Deck

1992:  Fleer, Topps Kids

1993:  Donruss Diamond Kings, Flair, Pinnacle, Stadium Club, Topps

1994:  Donruss Special Edition, Topps

1995:  Stadium Club, Topps, Topps Cyberstats, Zenith

1996:  Circa, Leaf Limited, Metal Universe, Pinnacle First Rate, SP, Summit, Topps

1997:  Finest Refractors, Metal Universe

1998:  Pinnacle, Pinnacle Performers, Pinnacle Plus, SkyBox Dugout Axcess, Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated BB, Sports Illustrated World Series Fever, Studio, Topps Gold Label Class 1, Topps Inaugural Devil Rays

1999:  Flair Showcase Row 1, Topps Opening Day, UD Choice, Upper Deck Century Legends, Upper Deck MVP

2000:  Aurora, Bowman, Crown Royal Final Numbers, Fleer Gamers, Fleer Tradition Glossy, Metal, Pacific Invincible, Pacific Omega, Private Stock, Revolution, UD Ionix, Upper Deck Gold Reserve, Upper Deck Hit Brigade, Upper Deck Ovation, Upper Deck Pros and Prospects

2001:  Bowman Chrome, Donruss, Donruss Class of 2001, Fleer Authority, Fleer Game Time, Fleer Genuine, Fleer Platinum (w/ Keith Ginter), Fleer Premium, Fleer Tradition, Leaf Rookies and Stars, Pacific, Private Stock, SP Authentic, Studio, Topps Opening Day, Upper Deck, Upper Deck MVP, Upper Deck Vintage

2002:  Absolute Memorabilia, Donruss Fan Club, Donruss Originals ‘84, E-X, Flair, Fleer Authentix, Fleer Box Score, Fleer Focus JE, Fleer Genuine, Fleer Platinum, Fleer Showcase, Fleer Tradition Update This Day in History Game Used, Fleer Triple Crown, Leaf Certified, SP Authentic, Stadium Club, Studio, Topps, Topps 206, Topps Gallery, Topps Opening Day, Topps Reserve, Topps Ten Runs, Ultra, Upper Deck, Upper Deck MVP, Upper Deck Victory

2003:  Diamond Kings, Donruss, Donruss Champions, Donruss Classics, Donruss Estrellas, Donruss Team Heroes, Fleer Authentix, Fleer Authentix Balcony, Fleer Patchworks, Leaf, Playoff Piece of the Game, Playoff Prestige, Sweet Spot, Topps, Topps Gold, Topps Heritage, Ultra Gold Medallion, Upper Deck, Upper Deck MVP, Upper Deck Vintage

2004:  Astros Fanfest Playoff, Donruss Classics, Donruss Elite Extra Edition, Donruss World Series, Fleer Authentix, Fleer Genuine Insider, Fleer Platinum, Fleer Showcase, Hot Prospects Draft, Leaf, Leaf Certified Materials Mirror Fabric Red, Leaf Press Proofs Silver, Leaf Second Edition, Playoff Honors, SkyBox LE, Studio, Studio Stars, Topps, Topps 1st Edition, Topps Cracker Jack, Topps Hit Parade, Topps Opening Day, Topps Total

2005:  Absolute Memorabilia Retail, Artifacts, Bowman Heritage, Donruss, Donruss Champions, Donruss Champions Impressions, Donruss Elite, Donruss Team Heroes, Fleer Authentix, Fleer Platinum, Fleer Showcase, Fleer Tradition, Leaf, Leather and Lumber, Leather and Lumber Rivals (with John Beckett), Leather and Lumber Rivals Gold, Playoff Prestige, Playoff Prestige Prestigious Pros Blue, SP Authentic, Studio, Studio Masterstrokes Jersey, Throwback Threads, Throwback Threads Century Stars, Topps Opening Day, Topps Update HL, Upper Deck, Upper Deck ESPN, Upper Deck UPdate, Zenith

2006:  Bazooka, Bazooka 4 on 1 Stickers, Bazooka Comics, Bazooka Gold Chunks, Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Fleer, Topps, Topps Allen and Ginter, Topps Chrome, Topps Chrome X-Fractors, Topps Heritage, Topps Heritage Chrome, Topps Heritage Chrome Refractors, Topps Hit Parade, Topps Opening Day Sports Illustrated For Kids (w/ Jack Wilson), Topps Opening Day, Ultra, Upper Deck Ovation

2007:  Astros Topps, Fleer, Pepsi, SPx, SPx Winning Materials Dual Silver, SPx Winning Materials Patches Silver, Topps, Topps Allen and Ginter, Topps Moments and Milestones (2 cards), Ultra Retail, Upper Deck Goudey Red Backs

I don’t really have anything showy of Biggio (which is similar to the man himself), but here’s one of my favorites.

It’s not the showieste patch, but does have three breaks.  My guess, it’s from his pants, or maybe from an away jersey.