Astros legend Craig Biggio once lamented the unfair treatment of players linked to the steroid era after repeated Hall of Fame snubs

Back in 2013, former Houston Astros player Craig Biggio opened up about the unfair treatment he felt that players who competed in the steroid era received.

The period between the late 1980s and the late 2000s is regarded as the "Steroid Era" in baseball due to the high usage of PEDs among MLB players during that time.

At the time, Biggio said he felt he was snubbed from the Hall of Fame due to alleged links to PEDs. Despite receiving the highest vote total in a year, he fell 39 votes shy of making it to the Hall of Fame. Legends like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa were also on the ballot for the first time but couldn't reach the 75% mark.

"I think it's kind of unfair, but it's the reality of the era that we played in. Obviously some guys are guilty and others aren't, and it's painful for the ones that weren't," Craig Biggio was quoted as saying by ESPN.

Biggio said he was hurt that writers might not have voted for him since he was a first-timer. However, he believed that the fact that it was so difficult to make it to the Hall of Fame is what makes it all the more special.

"When you look at the Hall of Fames, that's what makes baseball pretty special, pretty unbelievable," Biggio added.

Craig Biggio's awards and accolades in MLB

World Series - Philadelphia Phillies v Houston Astros - Game Two HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Craig Biggio throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Two of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Craig Biggio is a former second baseman, outfielder and catcher in MLB. He spent his entire MLB career from 1988 to 2007 with the Houston Astros.

Biggio holds franchise records for most games, at-bats, hits, runs scored, doubles, total bases (4,711) and extra base hits (1,014), and ranks second in runs batted in (1,175), walks (1,160) and stolen bases (414). Biggio also holds the NL record for most times leading off a game with a home run (53). He is one of only five players with 250 home runs and 400 steals.

He bagged the Gold Glove Award four times. He won seven All-Star Awards (1991, 1992, 1994-98). He also achieved five Silver Slugger Awards (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998). In 2007, he won the Roberto Clemente Award.

Craig Biggio was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. He became the first member of the Hall who is depicted in an Astros uniform on his plaque.