Houston Astros Begin Hall of Fame Campaign for Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell

Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) voters next month will decide the 2013 inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.Tomorrow, the BBWAA will officially release the eligible players for this year's ballot.

The Houston Astros will have two players up for consideration: second baseman/ catcher/ outfielder Craig Biggio and first baseman Jeff Bagwell.

Biggio is in his first year of eligibility and he is the only Astro to hit for over 3,000 hits in his career (3,060). He was named to 7 National League All-Star teams and is the only player in Major League Baseball history to be named an All-Star as both a catcher and second baseman.

Meanwhile, this will be the third time Bagwell is on the Hall of Fame ballot. Last year he finished with 56% of the vote and in 2011 he received 41.7%. Bagwell played 15 seasons for Houston. He hit with a career .297 average, 449 homers and 1529 RBI. His career achievements also include the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year and the 1994 National League MVP. Bagwell and Biggio also led the Astros to their only World Series appearance in 2005.

The Astros Hall of Fame campaign began today with a press conference for Biggio at Minute Maid Park. Biggio said of his Hall of Fame chances to MLB.com, "It would be nice to get in the first time. The first time would be really, really cool, and when you think about it, Baggy's [voting totals] have risen significantly in the last year, and how cool would that be if you have an opportunity to get two of your Houston guys in at the same time? We don't know what's going to happen on January 9, but if you're able to get in the first time, that would be great -- to get in any time would be great."

Former players must receive 75 percent of the vote from the BBWAA to make the Hall of Fame. Other players expected to be on this year's ballot include Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Curt Shilling, Jack Morris and former Astros, Yankees and Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens.