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Allen Thomas Craig (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. The Cardinals drafted Craig from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2006, and he made his Major League debut with them in 2010.

Key Information

Each season in the minor leagues from 2007 to 2009, Craig finished with a batting average of over .300 with at least 20 home runs. A .306 career hitter in MLB through 2013, he increased his production with runners in scoring position (RISP). In 2012, he posted a .400 batting average with RISP. The next season, he raised that figure to .454, the third-highest average of all time.

Craig has appeared in two World Series and in both made history. In the 2011 World Series, he tied a record by collecting three hits that drove in the game-winning run. In 2013, he became the first player to score a game-winning run on an obstruction call.

He is currently an advisor to baseball operations for the San Diego Padres.[1]

Playing career

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Early life and amateur career

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Allen Craig was born in Mission Viejo, California, to Ron and Kim Craig and raised in Temecula, California.[2] He has one younger sister named Kendal. His parents had moved to the Temecula Valley in the 1970s so that Mr. Craig could secure employment with the Rancho California Water District. In addition to relocating from Mission Viejo in Orange County to Temecula in Riverside County after Craig's birth, the family shifted residences multiple times before finally settling in Temecula.[3]

Craig's father was an early volunteer to help build the baseball fields that became the Ronald Reagan Sports Complex near Temecula Valley High School in Temecula, California. As soon as he was able to swing a baseball bat, his parents entered him into the national Tee Ball division of Little League Baseball where his father coached and his mother served on the board of directors.[3] While participating on the 14-and-under USA Baseball team, he played games in Venezuela.[2]

At Chaparral High School, Temecula, California, Craig was a two-sport standout athlete in baseball and basketball. As a senior in 2002, Craig was recognized in both sports. He earned first team all-league and all-valley honors in basketball while setting a school record with 94 three-pointers.[2] In baseball, he was named All-Valley Baseball Player of the Year.[3] At the Riverside All-Star Game, he earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade. His .585 batting average and eight home runs helped energize Chaparral to the Southwest League title. That summer, Craig played for the USA Junior National team, batting .485 with 11 runs scored in their effort to earn a bronze medal at the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) World Junior Championship in Sherbrooke, Quebec.[2]

After high school, Craig attended the University of California, Berkeley, and was a four-year starter for the California Golden Bears baseball team at all four infield positions.[2] Primarily playing shortstop as a freshman, he posted a .353 batting average with runners in scoring position (RISP). He earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors for February 4–10, 2003, after his 7-for-17 (.412) effort with two doubles, a grand slam and five runs batted in (RBI) at San Francisco and versus Loyola Marymount. Applying more time at first base in his sophomore season, Craig batted .285, led the team with 29 bases on balls (BB) and aggregated 19 multi-hit games. He was an honorable mention for the Pac-10 all-academic team. The next year, Craig started primarily in left field, batted .308 overall, and batted .338 with RISP. Against Washington State, March 22–24, 2005, he put together a 7–13 series (.538). One month later, on April 22, Craig collected three hits in three at-bats and two days later went 4–4; both games were against USC. Craig was an honorable mention for the All-Pacific-10 baseball team and again for the academic team.[2] His career batting numbers at UC Berkeley included a .308 batting average, 27 home runs and 108 RBI.[4]

During his off-season playing time at UC Berkeley, Craig played two campaigns for the Alexandria Beetles (Minnesota) of the Northwoods League (NWL), a collegiate summer baseball league. Craig spent most games at shortstop but also contributed in the outfield, at third base, and first base. His first season was in 2003, after his freshman season at UC. He batted just .229 in 15 games in which his playing time was cut short by injury. He returned in 2005 after his junior season and put together a landmark NWL season that included a 21-game hitting streak. In 49 games, Craig hit .362 with 12 home runs, 17 doubles and 40 RBI.[5] Craig was named first-team shortstop for Baseball America's 2005 College Summer All-America team.[2]

Draft and minor leagues

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Craig wearing Spring training number, 2010.

The Cardinals drafted Craig as a shortstop in the eighth round of the 2006 draft (256th overall) and signed him for $15,000.[6][7] However, he played just three games at shortstop with the State College Spikes in 2006 before spending the most games playing third base. As a hitter, Craig showed power at all levels of the Cardinal farm system, hitting 76 home runs in a three and one-half season span between 2006 and 2010 that comprised the bulk of his minor league playing time.[8]

In the Florida State League in 2006, he posted an adjusted on-base plus slugging at 26% above league average.[9] His 21 home runs in an environment of primarily humid air and large ballparks brought notice as one of the top minor league hitters. Baseball America ranked him as the Cardinals' number-15 prospect following the season.[10] Each season from 2007 through 2009, Craig progressed from the high-A level to AAA and participated between 119 and 129 games while hitting at least .304 with 22 home runs and 80 RBI.[8]

Although for a time Craig appeared to play adequately at third base, his throwing motion raised questions whether he could play there in the Major Leagues as he was promoted through the minor leagues. With David Freese one step further up the Cardinals depth chart and having the better-regarded glove, Craig was shifted more to the outfield in 2009.[10] He further increased his versatility by playing first base. Despite the defensive transitions, his hitting remained steady as he posted a .921 on-base plus slugging percentage with the AAA Memphis Redbirds. His consistent hitting and increased positional coverage prompted Craig to be named Cardinals system Player of the Year. The club added him to their 40-man roster that November.[6]

After making his Major League debut in April 2010, Craig spent significant time on the Cardinals roster. In addition, he amassed 83 games at Memphis, batting .320 with 14 home runs, 81 RBI and a .549 slugging percentage.[8] The next two seasons, he made 19 more appearances at Memphis, Springfield and Palm Beach, accumulating 20 hits in 69 at-bats with four home runs and 14 RBI.[8]

St. Louis Cardinals

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2010–11

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Allen Craig made the Cardinals big-league club out of spring training in 2010 and appeared in his first MLB game on April 8.[11][12] He started in right field and went 0–4 at the plate against the Cincinnati Reds.[5] Craig hit his first home run on July 19 off the Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Kendrick.[13] His second home run came on August 22 in the Cardinals' 9–0 drubbing of the San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito.[14] One month later, he hit his third home run in a 7–1 defeat of the Chicago Cubs on September 24 in support of Adam Wainwright's bid for his first 20-win season.[15] In 44 total games in 2010, Craig saw 124 plate appearances (PA), batted .246, hit seven doubles and four home runs with 18 RBI.[12]

Craig batting against the Chicago Cubs.

By 2011, it became apparent that Craig was able to hit major league pitching as well he had in the minor leagues. However, the situation was less than ideal for him to realize regular playing time. Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, and Albert Pujols each already occupied corner positions first base, left field and right field – positions Craig was best suited to play.[16] To get his bat in the lineup more, manager Tony La Russa began playing him at second base near the end of May.[17]

In June, after batting .336 with 23 RBI in 107 at-bats, he suffered a small knee cap fracture against the Houston Astros by running into the wall tracking a fly ball in right field. The team placed him on the disabled list (DL) with an expected intermission of about six weeks.[18][19] The healing of the fracture stagnated throughout the season, however, and swelling persisted around the knee, slowing Craig's rehabilitation. Nevertheless, he regularly strengthened the muscles around his patella and was cleared to play after passing a battery of medical tests. He also spent extra time warming up his knee before each game. After his return, Craig hit .290 in 35 games.[19] He ended the regular season with a .315 batting average, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 40 RBI, and a .555 slugging percentage in 75 games and 219 PA.[12]

The Cardinals made the playoffs that year. Craig struggled in his first ten games covering 21 plate appearances against the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series (NLDS) and the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), collecting just three hits in 17 at-bats. However, he delivered the go-ahead pinch-hit single in Game 6 to send the Cardinals to the World Series.[20]

In the World Series, Craig debuted in Game 1 by hitting a two-out, go-ahead pinch-hit single off Texas Rangers' pitcher Alexi Ogando's fastball. The next night, La Russa again summoned Craig to pinch hit against Ogando. This time, he lined a 96 miles per hour (154 km/h) fastball to right field to break a scoreless tie. On that single, he joined Dusty Rhodes, Del Unser and Hal McRae as the only players to collect pinch-hit RBI in three consecutive postseason at bats. He also joined Duke Snider and Amos Otis as the only hitters with the go-ahead hit in the sixth inning or later in consecutive World Series games. Further, Craig became the first player with two go-ahead RBIs as a pinch-hitter in World Series play.[16] After hitting the go-ahead home run in Game 7, which tied a World Series record Kiki Cuyler and Hank Greenberg shared with three game-winning RBI, Craig caught the last out of the Series, securing the Cardinals' eleventh World Series championship.[21] For the series, Craig appeared in all seven games and collected five hits in 19 at-bats (.263 batting average), three home runs and five RBI for a .737 slugging percentage.[12] His totals in the 2011 postseason included a .622 slugging percentage and 1.013 on-base plus slugging (OPS).[22] However, with his knee cap still not fully healed, Craig elected to have surgery to repair the fracture the following November.[19]

2012

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Craig in St. Louis

Despite his strong 2011 performance and World Series exploits, new manager Mike Matheny assigned Craig the role of utility player in the outset of 2012, with the likes of veterans Carlos Beltrán, Berkman, and Holliday already stationed at first base and in the outfield corners.[23] Further, Craig spent all of April on the disabled list (DL) recovering from knee surgery.[24][25][26] However, when he returned to play May 1, the Cardinals designated outfielder Erik Komatsu for assignment to make room, and Craig found a windfall of playing time with Berkman now on the DL.[23][27] After hitting five home runs in a seven-game stretch, injury quickly struck again when he pulled a hamstring in a game against the San Francisco Giants on May 18 and landed back on the 15-day DL. To that point, Craig made a convincing argument for forcing his way into the starting lineup with a combination of top prospect Matt Adams' slumping and hitting .373 with a .424 on-base percentage and .765 slugging percentage in thirteen games.[28]

Craig was back in action on June 1, and three days later, his tiebreaking two-run home run against the Mets allowed the Cardinals to end a five-game losing streak with a 5–4 win.[29] In a stretch from June 9–21, he encountered a rare slump as he batted just .175 with one home run in 11 games. However, Craig discovered that pitchers were throwing him more sliders. Over the next nine games through July 3, he solved his opponents' strategy, batting .364 with five home runs and 15 RBI. His season total to that date included appearing in just 40 of the Cardinals' 80 first games, taking 152 at-bats. Nonetheless, he tied Holliday (296 at-bats), catcher Yadier Molina (265), and third baseman David Freese (276) with 13 home runs. He also carried a .322 batting average with 43 RBI. The RBI total ranked third in the NL since May 1, even with the second DL stay.[30]

Through September 16, he showed that he was adept at hitting with runners in scoring position with a .355 batting average in his 197 career at-bats.[22] Craig was consistent throughout the season, finishing with a .307 average, 22 home runs and 92 RBI in 119 games. He ranked tenth in the NL in batting, seventh in slugging percentage (.522) and placed 19th in the Most Valuable Player award (MVP) balloting.[12] He also led all major leaguers with a .400 batting average with runners in scoring position (RISP).[21] Despite two DL trips, Craig played 30 games in the outfield and led the team in starts at first base with 86, while Berkman appeared in just 32 total games.[28]

2013

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With Berkman's departure via free agency, Craig became the Cardinals' primary first baseman. On March 8, the club announced they had reached an agreement with him on a five-year contract with a team option for a sixth season.[21] The $31 million deal bought out his three future arbitration-eligible years and first year of free agency. Craig would earn $13 million in the 2018 season if the Cardinals exercised their option.[31]

Craig with St. Louis, 2014

In July, National League manager Bruce Bochy selected Craig to his first All-Star Game at Citi Field in Queens, New York City, as a reserve first baseman. His first-half performance included batting .333 with 10 home runs and 74 RBI. Both his RBI and hit totals (116) placed second in the NL. He became the fifth alumnus of the California Golden Bears to be named to an MLB All-Star team.[32]

With his team facing a 5–4 deficit, Craig belted the game-winning grand slam against the division rival Reds on August 26. The final outcome was 8–6. It was his first career grand slam, boosting his totals to seven hits in ten bases-loaded at-bats to go with 20 RBI to that point in the season (14 for 31, .452 batting average for his career).[33] He was also batting .452 with runners in scoring position – again leading the Major Leagues – and it was the third-highest of all time for a single season, after George Brett (.469, 1980) and Tony Gwynn (.459, 1997).[34]

A Lisfranc injury on September 4 on an infield hit against the Reds prevented him from appearing in a game for the rest of the regular season. At the time, he was third in the NL in RBI with 97. He eventually finished eighth. Despite being shut down early, he led Cardinals in this category. St. Louis Post-Dispatch sportswriter Bernie Miklasz dubbed Craig "The Clutchmaster", "The RBI Machine" and "an RBI Monster".[35][36] He also finished eighth in batting average (.315).[12] His final batting average with RISP –.454 – remained the Major-League high and third-highest all-time.[37] That figure surpassed Brian Jordan's average of .422 in 1996 (62 of 147) as the team record.[36] In spite of his success hitting with RISP, Baseball-Reference.com rated his Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 2.2 and Fangraphs at 2.6.[12][38]

Craig's chances of returning to play before the end of the season depended on how far the Cardinals could extend their season in the playoffs. They qualified for the postseason by finishing with the best regular season record (97–65) in the National League. They kept winning through the playoffs, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NLDS and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Ready as a hitter in time for the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, Matheny at first excluded him from defense as the injury was not fully healed. Therefore, he served as the designated hitter (DH) at Fenway Park in Boston and a pinch hitter at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, a National League park where the DH is not normally played.[39]

In Game 3, Craig was part of an unusual, game-ending, play. With the scored tied 4–4 in the bottom of the ninth, Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay hit a ground ball off pitcher Koji Uehara toward second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who threw the ball home to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to easily tag Yadier Molina out attempting to score. Saltalamacchia then threw the ball to Will Middlebrooks as Craig rounded third, but it sailed wide into left field for an error, and, at the same time, Middlebrooks tripped Craig while reaching for the ball. Daniel Nava recovered the ball and threw it back to home plate long before Craig would have successfully scored. Due to being tripped, umpire Jim Joyce awarded Craig home plate when he called an obstruction on Middlebrooks, giving the Cardinals a 5–4 walk-off victory. This is the first known such walk-off victory in World Series history.[40][41] However, the Cardinals lost the series to the Red Sox in six games. Craig batted 16 times and collected six hits for a .375 batting average.[12] After the season, he finished 21st in the MVP balloting, but likely would have finished much higher had he not missed nearly a month of the season due to injury.[42]

2014

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With another free agent departure in Beltrán, Craig again shifted positions in 2014, replacing him in right field. It also cleared the way for Matt Adams to assume first base.[43] Craig started the season slowly, batting just .220 with a .644 OPS in April. He batted .291 and raised his OPS to .781 in May.[44]

Boston Red Sox

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On July 31, 2014, Craig was traded along with Joe Kelly to the Red Sox in exchange for John Lackey and prospect Corey Littrell.[45] Upon being inserted into the Red Sox lineup, Craig struggled mightily towards the last two months of the season, hitting only .128 while striking out 36 times. The following season, Craig began the season as Boston's starting first baseman. On May 9, 2015, the Red Sox optioned Craig to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Triple–A International League; since Craig had yet to accrue five years of service time, the Red Sox could option him to the minor leagues without his consent.[46] On May 18, they outrighted him to the minors, removing him from the 40 man roster.[47] He was re-added to the major league roster on September 1. Over 93 games with Pawtucket, he batted .274 with four home runs and thirty RBIs, and over 36 games with Boston, he batted .152. Craig returned to Pawtucket in 2016, but missed a majority of the season due to injury. He also returned to Pawtucket in 2017, but on June 30, was released.

San Diego Padres

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On January 22, 2018, Craig signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.[48] Over 92 games with the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he slashed .293/.375/.479 with 13 home runs and 59 RBI. Craig elected free agency following the season on November 2.[49]

Craig re-signed with the Padres on a minor league contract on December 19, 2018.[50] He was released by the Padres organization on March 19, 2019.

Post-playing career

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Craig retired from baseball on April 12, 2019, and joined the San Diego Padres front office as an advisor to baseball operations.[51] On January 30, 2024, it was announced that Craig would assume a role that will see him interact with the MLB team and minor league affiliates as an assistant.[52]

Skills profile

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While still in the minor leagues, Craig showed in little time that he could hit at all levels but he had no natural position. In spite of the challenge to categorize his defensive abilities, his versatility and athleticism has allowed him to play at all positions in the major leagues except pitcher, shortstop, and catcher.[12][16] After an experiment at second base early in his Major League career, first base and the corners in the outfield emerged as the positions for which he was best suited. He played shortstop in amateur ball and third base in the minor leagues, but he was not well-suited to play either position in the major leagues, due to the speed of the game. He posted a fielding percentage of just .927 in 246 minor league games at third base, considered a very low percentage.[53]

According to former Cardinals player development executive Jeff Luhnow and Memphis Redbirds manager Ron Warner, Craig's arm, range and footwork proved problematic for third base. He improved his footwork well enough for the Texas League, but they still considered it insufficient for the major leagues because his movement to his left was inhibited, restricting his ability to start double plays. Further, with an inefficient, semi-sidearm throwing motion that he could not resolve, Craig relied on his innate strength to compensate for time lost.[53]

Awards and honors

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Awards
Title # of times Dates (Ranking or event) Refs
Major leagues
Major League Baseball World Series Champion 1 2011 [21]
Major League Baseball All-Star 1 2013 [54]
Minor leagues
Minor leagues All-Star 5 2006 midseason (New York–Penn League), 2007 midseason and postseason (Florida State League), 2008 midseason and postseason (Texas League) [6]
Minor leagues All-Star game Top Star 1 2007 (Florida State League) [6]
Baseball America's Cardinals' top prospects 4 2007 (#15), 2008 (#26), 2009 (#7), 2010 (#5) [7]
Baseball America's Cardinals' best minor league power hitter 2 2009, 2010 [7]
Cardinals system Player of the Year 1 2009 [6]
Cardinals organization Player of the Month 2 June 2007, July 2009 [6]
The Cardinal Nation/Scout.com Top Prospect 2 2010 (#7), 2011 (#7) [6]
College
Baseball America All-American First Team 1 2005 (SS) [2]
Top ten National League finishes
Statistical category # of times Season (Rank, description)
Batting average 2 2012 (7th, .307), 2013 (8th, .315)
Batting average with runners in scoring position 2 2012 (1st, .400)†, 2013 (1st, .454)†
Slugging percentage 1 2012 (7th, .522)
Runs batted in 1 2013 (8th, 97)

Bold: led National League
†: led all Major Leagues

Personal life

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Craig holds a degree in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.[55] When growing up, his favorite baseball player was Ken Griffey Jr. He was also a fan of Cal Ripken Jr.[55] Craig attended high school with Brandon Snider, the grandson of Duke Snider, with whom he tied the World Series consecutive pinch hit mark.[20]

On November 12, 2011, Craig married his long-time girlfriend, Marie LaMarca, who also is a graduate of Chaparral High School. The couple reside in their mutual hometown of Temecula, along with their two daughters[56] and pet tortoise, Torty.[22][57] Torty, whom he has had since a hatchling, gained notoriety and a cult following through a vicarious Twitter account and has since served as an informal mascot for the Cardinals.

In May 2014, Craig partnered with fellow Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay for the Jay-Craig Celebrity Bowl and the Flamingo Bowl in downtown St. Louis. The proceeds benefited Great Circle, a nonprofit organization that provides behavioral health services autism, educational challenges, emotional health, in-home crisis intervention, foster care and adoption, adventure therapy and psychological trauma recovery.[58]

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Allen Craig

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Allen Thomas Craig (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional baseball and who played six seasons in (MLB) from 2010 to 2015. He currently serves as a special assistant to the major league staff and baseball operations for the Padres. Drafted by the Cardinals in the eighth round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft from the , Craig made his MLB debut on April 8, 2010, and spent the bulk of his career with the Cardinals, contributing as a versatile hitter and fielder. Craig emerged as a key role player during the Cardinals' successful early 2010s run, batting .315 with 11 home runs in while helping the team secure the championship, where he notably caught the final out of Game 7 against the Texas Rangers. His performance peaked in and , when he posted a .307 with 22 home runs and 92 RBIs in , followed by a .315 average, 13 home runs, and a career-high 97 RBIs in , earning him recognition as one of the league's top clutch performers. In the against the Boston Red Sox, Craig became the first player to score the game-winning run on an obstruction call, securing a 5-4 victory for the Cardinals in Game 3. Midway through the 2014 season, Craig was traded to the Red Sox, where injuries and a significant decline in production limited him to a .128 in 29 games that year, followed by .152 in 36 games in 2015 before being released, effectively ending his MLB career, after which he played briefly in the until 2019. Over 534 MLB games, Craig compiled a .276 , 59 home runs, 296 RBIs, and an .768 percentage, solidifying his reputation as a reliable during his prime years with .

Early life and amateur career

High school career

Allen Craig was born on July 18, 1984, in , and moved to , at the age of five, where he spent his formative years. Craig attended High School in Temecula, graduating in 2002, and emerged as a standout multi-sport there, participating in both and . In , he primarily played as a and , earning recognition for his offensive prowess during his senior year. As a senior in 2002, Craig batted .585 with eight home runs, helping win the Southwest League title; he was named to the All-CIF Southern Section team, selected as first-team all-county, honored as the Southwestern League MVP, and designated MVP of the Riverside All-Star Game. That summer, he played for the USA Junior National Team, batting .485 with three doubles, two home runs, and 10 RBI as the team earned a at the IBAF World Junior Championship in . In basketball, Craig played as a junior and senior, showcasing his athletic versatility as a sharpshooting guard known for his three-point accuracy; he made 94 three-pointers during his senior season, though his 6-foot-2 height limited recruitment interest from Division I programs. This multi-sport background helped build his competitive foundation before advancing to at the .

College career

Craig enrolled at the , in 2003 and played for the from 2003 to 2006. As a in 2003, he started 23 games primarily at , batting .285 with seven doubles, two home runs, and 16 RBI, though he missed 17 games due to a left wrist and hand injury sustained in a collision. In 2004, as a , Craig hit .285 with 12 doubles, one triple, six home runs, and 21 RBI, earning honorable mention on the Pac-10 All-Academic Team. During his junior year in 2005, Craig batted .304 with 14 doubles and eight home runs, driving in 35 RBI, and again received honorable mention All-Pac-10 recognition while also earning a spot on the first-team as a . His senior season in 2006 marked a breakout, as he posted a .344 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI, securing another honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection. Over his four-year career, Craig compiled a .308 , 27 home runs, and 104 RBI in 195 games, transitioning from to a power-hitting corner and outfielder. He was also named to the Pac-10 Academic First Team.

Professional playing career

Draft and minor leagues

Allen Craig was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round, 256th overall, of the out of the , where his college performance had showcased his hitting potential. Signed shortly after the draft, he began his professional career that summer with the Cardinals' short-season affiliate, the of the New York-Penn League, appearing in 48 games and posting a .257 with four home runs while primarily playing third base. This initial assignment marked the start of his transition from —a position he was drafted for—to more versatile infield roles as the organization evaluated his defensive skills. In 2007, Craig advanced quickly through the Cardinals' system, spending most of the season with the High-A of the , where he hit .312 with 21 home runs and 77 RBIs in 112 games, demonstrating emerging power. He earned a late-season promotion to Double-A of the , batting .292 with three home runs in seven games. The following year, 2008, he settled in at Springfield for the full season, maintaining consistency with a .304 , 22 home runs, and 85 RBIs over 129 games, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable hitter while continuing to develop at third base. Despite occasional minor setbacks, such as brief absences due to small injuries, Craig's steady progression highlighted his resilience and adaptability in the farm system. Craig's career peaked in 2009 at Triple-A of the , where he batted .322 with 26 home runs and 83 RBIs in 126 games, splitting time between first base and to enhance his positional versatility. This performance earned him the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year award, recognizing his breakout season and readiness for the major leagues after consistent .300-plus batting averages and 20-plus home runs each year from 2007 to 2009.

St. Louis Cardinals

Allen Craig made his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on April 8, 2010, against the , where he started in left field and recorded a single in four at-bats. Initially, Craig served as a bench player and platoon option, appearing in 44 games that season while splitting time between the majors and Triple-A Memphis, batting .246 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in limited action. His versatility across positions and first base allowed him to fill in during injuries, though consistent playing time eluded him early on. In 2011, Craig emerged as a key contributor for the Cardinals, posting a .315 with 11 s and 40 RBIs over 75 games, helping the team secure a National League Wild Card berth. His postseason performance proved pivotal, particularly in the against the Texas Rangers, where he batted .263 with three s and five RBIs across seven games, including a go-ahead solo in the third inning of Game 7 that helped secure a 6-2 victory and the Cardinals' 11th championship. Craig's clutch contributions extended to an RBI single in , aiding the Cardinals' dramatic comeback win, underscoring his role in the team's improbable title run. Craig reached the peak of his Cardinals tenure in 2012 and 2013, establishing himself as an everyday player and earning his lone selection in 2013 as a reserve chosen by National League manager . In 2012, he hit .307 with 22 home runs and 92 RBIs in 119 games, showcasing improved power and plate discipline. The following year, Craig maintained excellence with a .315 average, 13 home runs, and 97 RBIs in 134 games, leading the majors with a .454 with runners in scoring position that highlighted his reliability in high-leverage situations. Craig's performance declined sharply in 2014 amid lingering effects from a Lisfranc foot injury sustained late in 2013, which limited his mobility and contributed to a .237 batting average, seven home runs, and 44 RBIs in 97 games with St. Louis. On July 31, 2014, the Cardinals traded Craig and pitcher Joe Kelly to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for starting pitcher John Lackey, a prospect, and cash considerations. Over five seasons with the Cardinals from 2010 to 2014, Craig compiled a .291 batting average, 57 home runs, and 291 RBIs in 469 games, solidifying his legacy as a core piece of the 2011 championship team.

Boston Red Sox

Allen Craig joined the Boston Red Sox via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals on July 31, 2014, along with pitcher Joe Kelly in exchange for pitcher , prospect Allen Webster, and cash considerations. In the final two months of the 2014 season, Craig struggled significantly with the Red Sox, posting a .128 over 29 games with 94 at-bats, one , and two RBIs, while striking out 36 times. His poor performance contributed to Boston's disappointing campaign, as the team finished last in the with a 71-91 record. An ankle injury sustained the prior year lingered, further hampering his production and leading to a brief stint in Triple-A with the in August before a . The 2015 season brought further challenges for Craig in . He began the year on the major league roster but was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on May 10 after batting .135 (5-for-37) with one and two RBIs, prompting his outright assignment to Pawtucket on May 18 after clearing waivers. Limited to 36 major league games that year, including a call-up, Craig batted .152 with one and three RBIs in 79 at-bats. Over his two seasons with the Red Sox, Craig appeared in 65 major league games, compiling a .140 , two s, and five RBIs in 173 at-bats. After spending 2016 and much of 2017 in Triple-A Pawtucket, where he hit .253 with one in 47 games during the latter year, the Red Sox released him on June 30, 2017.

San Diego Padres

On January 22, 2018, Allen Craig signed a minor league contract with the Padres that included an invitation to major league , marking his effort to revive his career following his release from the Boston Red Sox organization the previous summer. At age 33, Craig reported to the Padres' camp aiming to secure a spot on the major league roster, leveraging his experience as a former and contributor. However, he did not break camp with the team and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the . During the 2018 season, Craig appeared in 92 games for El Paso, posting a .293 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs, providing solid production as a and . Despite his respectable output, which included a .375 , the Padres did not call him up to the majors amid a crowded roster and his age-related decline in power and speed from earlier peak years. Craig became a on November 2, 2018, after electing free agency following the season. Seeking another opportunity, Craig re-signed with the Padres on a minor league contract on December 21, 2018, again with a invitation. At 34, his 2019 performance was limited, batting .111 over nine plate appearances, and he was released by the organization on March 19, 2019, before the minor league season began. These stints represented Craig's final professional playing attempts, as he struggled to regain major league traction amid diminishing athleticism and a shift toward younger talent in the Padres' system.

Post-playing career

Retirement

Allen Craig announced his retirement from on April 12, 2019, following his release from the Padres' Triple-A affiliate, the , on March 19, 2019. Over six seasons from 2010 to 2015, primarily with the Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, Craig appeared in 534 games, compiling a .276 with 506 hits, 59 home runs, and 296 runs batted in. In reflecting on his career, Craig highlighted his contributions to the Cardinals' championship as a pinnacle achievement, including a pinch-hit go-ahead RBI single in Game 1 and a solo home run in that helped secure the title. His decision to retire at age 34 stemmed from persistent injuries, notably a Lisfranc foot injury sustained late in the 2013 season and subsequent issues like , which significantly diminished his performance and limited his playing time after 2013. Following his retirement, Craig transitioned to a front office role with the San Diego Padres.

Front office roles

Following his retirement from professional baseball, Allen Craig joined the San Diego Padres' front office on April 12, 2019, as a special advisor to baseball operations. In this initial role, Craig focused on mentoring young players within the organization, drawing on his major league experience to guide prospects and contribute to scouting and player development efforts. His work emphasized providing practical insights to emerging talent, helping to bridge the gap between minor league development and big-league performance. Craig's responsibilities evolved over time, with a notable promotion announced on January 30, 2024, to special assistant for major league staff and operations. This hybrid position involved direct interactions with the Padres' MLB team, , and affiliates, allowing him to assist in talent evaluation and strategic advisory duties across the organization. Through these efforts, Craig offered insider perspectives from his playing career, aiding in the assessment of player potential and development pathways. The Padres confirmed Craig's continuation in this special assistant role for the 2025 season on December 6, 2024, maintaining his emphasis on player development and advisory support. His ongoing contributions have been integral to the front office's focus on nurturing talent, leveraging his firsthand knowledge to enhance scouting processes and player mentorship programs.

Playing style and skills

Hitting profile

Allen Craig established himself as a reliable early in his career, batting .276 overall with a .335 and .425 across 534 games from 2010 to 2015. He amassed 506 , including 59 home runs and 107 doubles, showcasing gap power that contributed to his offensive value, particularly from the right side of the plate. His career rate hovered around 19.5%, reflecting solid plate discipline in his prime years. Craig's hitting peaked in 2012 with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he posted a .307 , .354 , and .522 , driving in 92 runs while hitting 22 home runs and 35 doubles in 119 games. He excelled in situational contexts, maintaining a .341 with runners in scoring position (RISP) over his career, with 163 hits in 478 at-bats and 21 home runs in those spots. In 2013, his prowess reached its height, leading the majors with a .454 (59-for-130) with RISP and ranking third in RBI with runners in scoring position (83). However, injuries in later seasons led to a decline in his offensive output, with his dropping to .196 in 2014 and plate discipline waning as his rate climbed above 20%. This evolution from a low-strikeout to one hampered by issues curtailed his power and consistency. Craig's postseason performances underscored his reputation, particularly in when he delivered multiple game-winning hits for the Cardinals, including a pinch-hit single in Game 1 and three hits that drove in the winning run across the series, helping secure the championship. His positional versatility occasionally provided additional at-bats in favorable lineup spots.

Fielding and versatility

Allen Craig primarily played first base and right field during his , logging 2,071.2 innings at first base across 261 games and 1,985.2 innings in right field over 194 games. He also appeared in left field for 582.1 innings in 87 games, while his early experience included occasional stints at third base, where he led third basemen with a .941 fielding percentage and 217 assists in 2007. This positional flexibility stemmed from his athletic background, having played , left field, and first base in before transitioning to corner and infield roles professionally. At first base, Craig maintained a career .998 fielding percentage, reflecting steady hands and reliability in routine plays, complemented by average range that contributed to a career Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) of +5.2 overall. His arm strength supported effective double plays, though advanced metrics like Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rated him at +2 for his career, indicating average run prevention. In the outfield, however, his below-average speed hampered range, resulting in adequate but unremarkable defense, as noted in scouting evaluations that highlighted his playable but not elite mobility in covering gaps. Craig's versatility proved particularly valuable as a utility player, enabling the St. Louis Cardinals to deploy him in situations and late-inning substitutions during their 2011–2013 playoff runs, where his multi-positional capability enhanced team depth without disrupting lineup balance. Later with the Boston Red Sox, managers viewed him as a potential "rover" across left field, right field, first base, and roles to maximize flexibility. Injuries, including recurring leg issues such as a fractured (initially reported as contusion) in 2011, and multiple foot and ankle sprains in 2014–2015, progressively diminished his mobility, prompting increased DH considerations to preserve his contributions despite reduced defensive agility.

Awards and honors

Major League achievements

Allen Craig achieved significant success during his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals, particularly in the postseason. In 2011, he contributed to the Cardinals' championship victory over the Texas Rangers, batting .243 with 9 hits, 4 home runs, and 8 RBIs across 15 playoff games, including a pivotal pinch-hit RBI single in Game 1 that snapped a 2-2 tie. His three game-winning RBIs in the tied a major league record previously set by in 1925. These performances earned him recognition for MVP-level contributions in the finals, highlighted by his solo home run in Game 7 that helped secure the 6-2 win. Craig's clutch hitting extended to the 2011 National League Championship Series (NLCS), where he recorded 3 RBIs, including a key two-run single in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Overall, from 2011 to 2013, he participated in three consecutive Cardinals playoff runs, batting .260 with 26 hits and 14 RBIs in 34 games, though his regular-season highlight in 2012 included tying for second in the National League with 45 two-out RBIs. In 2012, he helped the team advance to the NLCS with a .444 average (4-for-9) in the NLDS, including a . In 2013, Craig was selected as a reserve for the National League All-Star Game, his only such honor, after posting a .315 and 97 RBIs in the regular season. That postseason, despite a limiting him, he batted .375 in the before the Cardinals' loss to the Boston Red Sox, notably scoring the game-winning run in Game 3 on a controversial obstruction call.

Minor league and amateur honors

During his time at Chaparral High School in , Allen Craig earned All- honors as a senior in 2002, along with first-team all-county recognition, Southwestern League MVP, and MVP of the Riverside All-Star Game; he also led the team to the Division II championship that year. At the University of California, Berkeley, Craig received honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors in 2005 as a junior, after batting .307 overall and .358 against conference opponents. In 2006, as a senior, he earned All-Pac-10 Southern Division honors, hitting .318 with nine home runs and 48 RBI. Earlier, in 2003 as a freshman, he was named Pac-10 Player of the Week for February 4–10 after a strong start to the season. Following his junior year of high school, Craig represented the on the 2002 USA Junior National Team at the IBAF World Junior Championship in , , where he batted .485 with three doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored as the team earned a . In the with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Craig was named the All-Star at third base in 2009 after a strong first half with Double-A Springfield, where he hit .299 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI. Later that season, after promotion to Triple-A Memphis in the , he led the team in batting average (.320), home runs (14), and RBI (81) en route to being selected as the Cardinals' Player of the Year.

Personal life

Family

Allen Craig married his high school sweetheart, Marie LaMarca, on November 12, 2011, two weeks after the Cardinals' victory. The couple has two daughters, Eden and Averie, born during Craig's Major League playing career. Throughout his professional career, Craig's family supported him amid multiple relocations, including moves from to in 2014 and to later in his tenure with the Padres organization. After retiring from playing in 2019, Craig transitioned to a front-office role as a special advisor for the Padres, allowing him to maintain a strong focus on family life in their longtime home of , which ties to the couple's shared roots from High School.

Residence and interests

Allen Craig maintains a long-term residence in , his hometown where he was raised following his birth in nearby Mission Viejo. He is well-known for his pet tortoise named Torty, adopted around 2006 during his early tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals organization; the animal became a minor celebrity through a humorous Twitter account (@TortyCraig) managed on Craig's behalf, which garnered attention during the Cardinals' 2011 World Series run. Among his personal interests, Craig is an avid fan, having grown up in and closely following the as his favorite team to watch. Locally in Temecula, he contributes to youth baseball development by coaching a team in the Temecula Little League. Craig has engaged in philanthropy through events tied to his former teams, including supporting the Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation with Cardinals teammates and via community outreach programs during his playing career.

References

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