This according to his agent. He might just get the record. My guess is..he dosent retire until he breaks it
Bonds and Biggio both have similar problems, they are both close to their career goals. Bonds to Hanks HR record and Biggio to 3000 hits. Problem is that they have seriously slowed down and really should retire this year. Biggio is in the last year of his contract and he's publically stated that he will play next year, if not in Houston then someplace else. Clearly if it weren't for the 3000 hit deal he should retire, Chris Burke has waited in the wings long enough for Biggio to retire he is ready to take over the starting job at 2nd base. Biggio unfortuneately has hit about 125 for the second half of the year. It'd be a crime to just give him the job next year and play him full time no matter what just so he can get to 3000. But it's a ticklish situation for Astro's management. Do they stonewall arguably the Astros greatest player ever and force him to go some place else, even if it is in the teams best interest. Would Biggio be happy playing in spot situations and pinch hitting next year, probably not since it would endanger any chance he has of getting to 3000 hits. He needs somewhere around 80-90 hits, but if he hits .250 he'll have to get to the plate 350 times, that doesn't leave a lot of at bats for Burke at 2nd base. If they force him out, then Drayton will be castigated by the local press and the fans. If they bring him back and he struggles to hit like he has since the all-star break those same fans and writers will demand he be benched. Talk about rock/hard place. Only way he can win is if Biggio comes back hits about .280 or above and is productive in helping the team win. Bonds is the same deal. Terry