Craig Biggio, Frank Thomas hit career milestones

Frank Thomas and Craig Biggio both hit career milestones at the plate tonight. An amazing day for Major League baseball that saw The Big Hurt mash his 500th career home run, and Craig Biggio hit is 3,000th career base hit.

Thomas, is the 21st major leaguer to reach the milestone. He didn't wast any time tonight in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins in their park. He sent Carlos Silva's 1-2 pitch an estimated 396 feet into the left-field stands for a 3-run HR.

Before the at-bat, Thomas looked at the scoreboard and saw that his average with runners in scoring position was .182. Not something you will want to put on promotional pens by any means.

"I said, 'Let's just get a hit right here.' That's when home runs happen, when you're really not trying to do too much. He hung a slider over the corner and I stayed with the pitch," he said.

Frank actually got ejected in this game after striking out in th 9th. He was arguing a called strike from the dug out and got tossed.

Craig Biggio JUST got his 3,000th hit. In the bottom of the 7th with a man on 2nd, Biggio drove a single into the outfield for his third hit of the night, and his 3000th in his career. Before getting the 3000th hi, Biggio told reporters that he wanted to get a double for #3,000 because that says what he is all about. Biggio tried for the double on the hit, but was gunned down at 2nd base on the play. That would have also been his 1,000th career extra base hit.

Other milestones this year: Sammy Sosa hit his 600th HR earlier and Ken Griffey, Jr. is well on his way as well sitting at 584 career dingers. Of course, Barry Bonds is still pursuing the ultimate HR mark in Henry "The Hammer" Aaron's at 755. Bonds sits at 749 career home runs.

Maroth Traded to St. Louis

Mike Maroth, starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers was traded to the Cardinals earlier for a player to be named later. Maroth, one of the fixtures in the Tigers line up over the last 5 years was finally dealt away to make room for Kenny Rogers, and possibly Andrew Miller in the rotation.

I can't say I'm sad to see him go. He has always been a stand up guy here in Detroit, but market research woudl likely indicate taht the majority of fans think the guy stinks and is not the type of pitcher you want in your rotation. Good luck, Mike.