In Houston, Biggio was larger than the game. He and Bags were the team for many years. I am just going to chalk it up to you not knowing much about him. These are HoF numbers to me.
He played 20 seasons and 2,850 games, 16th most in MLB history. 15th all time in runs scored (1844). 5th all time with doubles (668). 7-time All-Star (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998). 4-time Gold Glove Winner (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997). 5-time Silver Slugger Award Winner (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998). Led the NL in Doubles 3 Times (44 in 1994, 51 in 1998, 56 in 1999). Led the NL in Runs Scored 2 Times (123 in 1995, 146 in 1997). Led the NL in Stolen Bases 1 Time (39 in 1994). Won the Roberto Clemente Award (2007), the Branch Rickey Award (1997), and the Hutch Award (2005).
I'll admit, I don't know that much about him. The thing is I followed baseball avidly from about 1984 to 2002 or so. I remember him as being okay, but never that IT player that transcended the game (what I think the Hall of Fame should be for). Lots of good stuff up there, but I don't see an MVP.
It's not so much bagging on Biggio as questioning what actually qualifies somebody for being in a "Hall of Fame."
Kirby Puckett? Ryne Sandberg? Goose Gossage? Robin Yount? Really?
Nolan Ryan. Reggie Jackson. Mickey Mantle. Lou Gherig. Hank Aaron. Willie Mays. Johnny Bench. That's who the Hall of Fame is made for. I just don't think guys who had some good seasons really should make the cut.
I wouldn't vote for Chipper Jones, but I bet he gets in. I'd vote for Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine but as a group.
I'd vote for Pete Rose because if anybody deserves it, he does. I wouldn't vote for McGwire, Sosa, Bonds or Clemens because they cheated to prosper. I'd probably vote for Big Papi because of what he did in the World Series. To me, that kind of performance is deserving of Hall of Fame even if his career may not be. I doubt I'd vote for Alex Rodriguez because he didn't really improve any club he was on. Jeter will make it in, but I'm not sold on that either. Why? Puhols I probably wouldn't vote for.
Don't take it necessarily as an indictment of Biggio. Just a question about what it means and why one decent player gets in while another with similar (or better) numbers isn't even considered.