fall 2007 - Seton Hall University

Biggio did much more with his fame as a ballplayer,
however, than wax eloquent about being a guy
who respected the game. In a manner similar to the
ethos of the University he attended, Biggio has devoted
a great deal of time to helping his fellow man. In
1990, when teammate Larry Andersen was traded away
from the Astros, Biggio decided to take Andersen’s
place as a fundraising representative for the Sunshine
Kids, a Houston-area support organization for children
with cancer and their families.
Seventeen years and more than $2.5 million in
fundraising later, Biggio is synonymous with the
Sunshine Kids. In 1997, he was given the Branch
Rickey Award for community service. Last year,
Biggio won the Hutch Award, given annually by the
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle,
presented to the major league player who “best exemplifies
Hutch’s fighting spirit and competitive desire.”
As the magazine goes to press, Biggio is among the
finalists for major league baseball’s Roberto Clemente
Award, its highest honor for community service.
“I want to be remembered
as a guy who respected
the game, who played the
game the right way.”
“You need to treat people how you want to be
treated yourself,” Biggio said in encapsulating his
philosophy of giving. “I enjoy giving back.”
Even in smaller ways, Biggio has always given of
himself. Jim Duffy, currently an assistant baseball
coach at Seton Hall, was drafted by the Houston
organization after his college career ended in 1996.
He introduced himself to Biggio in spring training
the next year as a fellow former Pirate. The next few
days, things started showing up in Duffy’s locker, like
extra baseball bats and batting gloves. The clubhouse
attendant told Duffy they’d come from Biggio.
“That’s just the kind of guy he is,” Duffy said.
“There are hundreds of stories like that.”
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