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HOUSTON - Craig Biggio played for the Houston Astros longer than any other player in franchise history, donning the uniform for 20 seasons.On Tuesday, he was rewarded for an illustrious career by becoming the first Astros player to be elected to baseballs Hall of Fame.Biggio called it a huge day for Astros fans.To be able to give this back to them now, Im happy, he said. They deserve it.Biggio, who played catcher, second base and the outfield, received 82.7 per cent of the votes and was elected along with pitchers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz. Biggio got 68.2 per cent his first year and came just two votes shy of being elected last year.The seven-time All-Star retired in 2007 with 3,060 hits, and his 668 doubles are the major league high for a right-handed batter. He holds the MLB record for times hit by pitches with 285 during a career that included 291 homers, 1,175 RBIs, 1,161 walks, 414 stolen bases and 1,844 runs.Hes the only player in MLB history have 600 doubles, 250 homers, 3,000 hits and 400 steals.As one-third of Houstons famed Killer Bs with Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman, Biggio helped the Astros become the first team from Texas to reach the World Series in 2005. Despite being swept by the Chicago White Sox, Biggio said helping the team to the World Series was his greatest moment with the Astros.For Jeff and I we were just two East Coast kids that came to Texas and just loved to play baseball, and thats all we wanted to do, Biggio said. And our big dream and goal from Day 1 was always to get to the World Series.Bagwell was thrilled at Biggios election.He played as hard as anyone in the world, Bagwell said. He was an amazing player and an amazing teammate that I appreciated a great deal. My career would not have been as successful if it were not for him. I am very happy for him.There was but a tinge of disappointment in Biggios big day. Bagwell fell short of the 75 per cent needed for election with 55.7 per cent in his fifth year on the ballot, up from 54.3 per cent a year ago.I kind of miss my boy up here right now, Biggio said, adding Bagwell is no doubt a Hall of Famer. Hopefully something positive happens in the next year or two.Astros fans around the country took to Twitter to express their excitement. Texans star J.J. Watt, who often dons Astros hats, simply tweeted Biggio!!! moments after the announcement.Barbara and I join Houston Astros fans of all ages — and fans of baseball, period — in congratulating our dear friend, Craig Biggio, on his selection to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, former President George H.W. Bush said in a statement. He was one of the Killer Bs, known for his sterling leadership both on and off the field. And during the course of his remarkable career he set the highest standard for both performance and professionalism.Biggio was all smiles while joined by his family at a news conference.I woke up at 4:30 and was sick as a dog and nervous as heck, he recalled.His wife Patty had never seen him like he was on Tuesday morning.He was sweaty and his face was splotchy, she said. He was very nervous. Had to keep moving.So at 7 a.m. Biggio lifted weights and ran. Still amped, he went on a 2-mile walk a bit later to try and calm down. That didnt ease his nerves, so he came back and threw batting practice to his sons.When the call finally came, a relieved Biggio wept and hugged and high-fived his wife and children while still on the phone.Craig worked so hard every day and its so nice to see his hard work recognized in the best way it could be, Patty said.Biggio had a walk down memory lane to his childhood days back on Long Island, outside New York City. During a conference call with reporters, Biggio thought back to a job he had before Houston made him a first-round pick in 1987.Growing up in Long Island, I delivered your newspaper, by the way — Newsday, he told a reporter. I had a newspaper route for many, many years. It was my brothers and then my sister, and then it went down to me.___AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. Adidas Stan Smith Australia Clearance . Webb birdied the 18th hole to take the outright lead, then watched as Choi, who shot a course-record 62 on Saturday to take a share of the third-round lead, pushed a 10-foot putt wide of the hole at 18 to miss the chance for a playoff. Wholesale Adidas Stan Smith Sale . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish. http://www.wholesalestansmithaustralia.com/. Not to be outdone, Atletico Madrid bettered its title rivals by demolishing 10-man Getafe 7-0 with Diego Costa returning from injury to score with a brilliant bicycle kick. "It was an almost perfect night," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. Adidas Stan Smith Australia Cheap . TSN platforms will broadcast 75+ live games per season – tripling the networks current slate of MLB games. With the new deal TSN retains rights to ESPNs SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and, for the first time, acquires rights to ESPNs MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL. Adidas Stan Smith Sale Australia .ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign.UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders won the game. And then, they didnt. And theyre still trying to figure out why. Kevin Shattenkirk and Alexander Steen scored in the shootout to give the St. Louis Blues a 4-3 win over the Islanders on Saturday following a puzzling goal reversal call in overtime. After T.J. Oshie tied it for the Blues with 27 seconds left in regulation, Thomas Vanek appeared to score the winner for the Islanders on the power play with 1:15 left in overtime -- but the play was overturned on review at the NHL offices in Toronto. The puck hit Vaneks skate blade and dribbled past Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak, but a distinct kicking motion that usually negates goals wasnt apparent. "I thought it was a terrible call," Vanek said. "I think we all know what a kicking motion is. My skate never elevated, it was on the ice the whole time. I dont know if its because who we are. I think if thats Pittsburgh or some of those top teams, its maybe a goal. "For that to be overturned is just too bad." Islanders coach Jack Capuano wouldnt be drawn into the controversy -- but knew what he saw. "The referees made the right call on the ice," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "Then they must have seen something in Toronto that was conclusive." Added Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: "They arent going to make a mistake when it goes to Toronto." The Islanders had an early 2-0 lead for the second straight game. And again, they found themselves tied and in a battle. The Islanders (21-25-8) have led by two or more goals 15 times in 54 games this season -- and are 6-4-5 in those contests. Matt Martin put the Islanders ahead 3-2 midway through the second period. The home team was almost able to withstand the Blues relentless pressure in the games closing minutes. Earlier in the period, Oshies shot hit both posts but didnt cross the goal line behind Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin. Vanek and Kyle Okposo scored in the first for the Islanders, who lost for the fifth time in 15 games. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for the Blues. Poulin made a number of acrobatic saves for New York, with hiss best being a point-blank pad save on Blues leading scorer Steen midway through the second.dddddddddddd He also denied Steen and Oshie during a power play midway through the third. But the Blues (35-11-5) wouldnt quit, leaving Hitchcock pleased. "This was good, gritty road win," he said. "I like the way the team played in the third period." Vanek opened the scoring at 4:01 of the first, slapping the puck by Halak for his 19th of the season. Vanek has points in 17 of his last 19 games with nine goals and 16 assists during the stretch. The 30-year-old left wing was acquired from Buffalo on Oct. 27 for Matt Moulson and two high draft picks. The line of Vanek, John Tavares and Kyle Okposo was at it again at 15:11 when Okposo jammed the puck past Halak for his 22nd goal of the year. Fans at Nassau Coliseum also chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" for Okposo, who wasnt picked for the U.S. team for the Winter Games next month in Russia even though hes having a breakout season. Okposo already has a career-high 54 points. Tarasenko cut the margin in half at 17:17 of the first, beating Poulin high from about 30 feet out. The 22-year-old right wing scored again at 1:17 of the second, his 17th goal this season. He hit the left post late in second and had a golden chance midway through the third when his rebound shot appeared to hit both posts without going into the net. The Blues won the previous meeting this season, 5-1 at the Scottrade Center on Dec. 5. They were completing visits to all three local teams. They defeated the Rangers 2-1 on Thursday after losing 7-1 in Newark to the Devils. "This a great way to end the trip with a bonus point," Oshie said. "We found a way to battle back and well have a fun ride home." NOTES: The Blues host the Devils on Tuesday. St. Louis is 16-3-1 against the East this season. They are 40-10-6 against the East since 2010-11, league-best intra-conference play. ... The Islanders are 19-6-3 when they score at least three goals and are 2-19-5 when they do not. ... Ten members of the Blues will represent their countries at the Olympics, tying Chicago and Detroit for the most among NHL teams. ' ' '