Seton Hall Retires Craig Biggio's Number (Video)

Former Seton Hall baseball legend and future Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Craig Biggio came back to campus on Saturday to have his #44 jersey retired by the Pirates in a ceremony before the team hosted Notre Dame.

Biggio is only the fourth player in Seton Hall's illustrious baseball history to have his number retired.  He joins former All-Americans Marteese Robinson (#9) and Rick Cerone (#15), as well as all-time winningest coach and ABCA Hall of Famer Mike Sheppard (#17).

“It’s a great honor,” Biggio told reporters following the ceremony.  “Really, anytime you have your number retired anywhere, it’s a huge honor.  A lot of great memories here, I learned a lot.  I’m really grateful of my experiences here in this school….getting the opportunity to be a student athlete (in Seton Hall) helped me out a lot, turned me into a man and helped me my pro career.”

A two-time First Team All-BIG EAST selection, Biggio dominated as the Pirates' catcher from 1985 through 1987.  A career .342 batter with 27 home runs, 148 RBIs and 90 steals, he was inducted into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996 after leaving the school as its career leader in triples and second in runs scored.  He ranks among the Pirates' top-10 in 18 other single-season and career statistical categories as well.

“I just loved playing the game, the game was fun,” Biggio said of his time at Seton Hall.  “I enjoyed the game and winning.  Winning is contagious.”

Biggio led the Pirates to a three-year record of 121-55-1 and their first BIG EAST Championship in 1987.

"Craig had a profound impact on our program during his time at Seton Hall," Seton Hall Athletics Director Pat Lyons said in a statement.  "He helped guide them to new heights and consistently represented himself during both his collegiate and professional careers with great class and dignity.  He is truly the ideal role model for our current student-athletes and is an excellent representative of our University."

A first-round draft choice of the Houston Astros in 1987, Biggio embarked on a historic 20-year professional career.  A seven-time All-Star, he is one of only 28 players in MLB history to record 3,000 career hits.