"I'm very blessed to be around these kids," Craig Biggio said. "Just as much as I've been able to touch their hearts, they've touched mine." (Alyson Footer/MLB.com)
HOUSTON -- Fresh off a series win during a short road trip to Atlanta, several Houston Astros players and personnel gave up a rare day off at home on Monday to participate in Craig Biggio's 12th annual Sunshine Kids charity golf tournament at Wildcat Golf Club.
The Sunshine Kids, a support group for young cancer patients and their families, provides a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for kids who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across the country.
In Houston, Biggio has been a main spokesman for The Sunshine Kids for 15 years. He and his wife, Patty, have provided countless fun activities for the Kids over the years, including donating tickets for several Astros home games throughout the season and throwing elaborate whiffle ball parties on the field of Minute Maid Park.
The golf tournament, coupled with the pre-tournament live and silent auction on Saturday, is one of the biggest fundraisers that supports The Sunshine Kids cause. This year, numbers were expected to reach over $200,000, which would bring the grand total over the 12 years to more than $1.5 million.
Craig Biggio / CF
Born: 12/14/65
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
Seeing that the majority of Major League Baseball players spent a great deal of their free time playing golf, Biggio has an easy time recruiting his teammates to participate in the annual tournament.
"We've got 17 or 19 guys coming out today, which is real nice," he said. "Taking an off-day away from them is not always a nice thing to ask for, but they understand the cause and the reason and they come out to support it. We're very grateful for the support of my teammates and the people in the community."
Approximately 27 groups of four comprised the tournament, with each group headed by a local sports celebrity. Astros players included Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Adam Everett, Ricky Stone, Mike Gallo, Jose Vizcaino, Roger Clemens, Brandon Backe, Brandon Duckworth, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Redding, Chad Harville and Wade Miller.
Coaches Gene Lamont and Burt Hooton also participated, as did head trainer Dave Labossiere, broadcasters Alan Ashby and Jim Deshaies and clubhouse assistants Butch New and Carl Schneider.
Several former Astros -- Brian Williams, James Mouton, John Hudek and Kevin Bass -- also were scheduled to attend.
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The celebrity list was not limited to baseball personnel. Sports anchor and former Houston Oiler Giff Nielson and Houston Comets head coach Van Chancellor were among the many local sports figures among the turnout of more than 100 on this humid Houston morning.
"We're very lucky and fortunate to have all this support," Biggio said.
After nine holes, several Sunshine Kids participated in a putting contest, and upon the conclusion of the event, Biggio led the group to a post-tournament lunch and awards ceremony.
Even with 2,502 hits, 528 doubles, 2,282 games played and seven All-Star appearances, Biggio considers his work with The Sunshine Kids one of the most important contributions of his 17-year career.
"I'm very blessed to be around these kids," Biggio said. "Just as much as I've been able to touch their hearts, they've touched mine."
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Craig Biggio / CF
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