Craig Biggio says he will 'study harder' to get into Hall

Craig Biggio admitted he was "a little anxious" before the Hall of Fame made its announcement on Wednesday.

The phone call never came. The former Houston Astros All-Star fell 39 votes shy of election. In his first year on the ballot, he was the top vote-getter (68.2%) on the ballot.

Biggio took the snub in stride.

"Yesterday was a great day," said Biggio, who addressed the media at Minute Maid Park today. "We didn't get in, but got close. I'm honored to be in the position we are in."

Biggio became the second player in 62 years with 3,000 hits to be denied by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

"I'll study a little harder this time and hopefully get a 75% next year," he said with a smile.

Biggio, who has 3,060 hits, 600 doubles and 400 stolen bases, acknowledged that voters may have been influenced by players on the ballot from the steroid era.

"It's a possibility that definitely could have been part of the deal."

Biggio has a good chance of getting in next year and become the first Astro to officially represent the franchise in the Hall. And he knows he has the backing of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who appeared at a press conference in a Biggio jersey.

"I"m a big J.J. Watt fan," said Biggio. "For him to have my jersey on ... that's a cool feeling."