Sunshine Kids party a yearly highlight for Biggio

HOUSTON — The rigorous cancer treatments and dim hospital lighting were replaced by smiles, laughter and hope on a bright Wednesday afternoon at Minute Maid Park. And perhaps no one was smiling more than Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio, whose annual Sunshine Kids party provided kids with cancer a chance to play baseball with a legend and leave their troubles behind.

About 100 kids, all of whom are battling some form of cancer, and their families got to take some swings against the former big leaguer on the field and run the bases before being treated to lunch. Biggio’s wife, Patty, and oldest son, Conor, served alongside him as hosts.

Biggio is the national spokesman for the non-profit Sunshine Kids, an organization that assists kids with cancer and their families. He wore the organization’s pin on his cap during Spring Training games and regular-season batting practice throughout his career, and he has been treating the kids to a party for 26 years.

“It’s one of the days I look forward to,” Biggio said. “We’ve been doing this for 20-plus years now, and it’s a lot of fun. You look at the smiles on the kids’ faces and the families that are out here — that’s what it’s all about.”

The event was a first for 14-year-old Maggie Howard, who was diagnosed with osteocarcoma in November and …

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