World Series Hero Allen Craig Finding His Stride In El Paso

First baseman Allen Craig has accomplished more in his baseball career than most players ever will. The 33-year-old has already appeared in two World Series (2011, 2013), won one, played in an All-Star Game and had back-to-back seasons with a .300 or better batting average and 90 or more RBIs.
That career has been turned sideways in recent years, because of multiple injuries. With parts of his last five seasons cut short due to injury, Craig could have easily retired, citing an already successful career. This year, however, the Chihuahuas' first baseman is continuing to play the game he is passionate about, while fighting his way towards getting another big league chance.

"I never once thought about giving it up or quitting," Craig said. "I've had some significant injuries during my career, but if I would have given up, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play in the World Series and meet the great people I've met in this game. Injuries have been a part of my story and I've embraced it. In the long run it's made me a tougher person both physically and mentally."
Persevering through many injuries isn't a difficult decision when a player is pursuing a dream. Craig's baseball dream formed at a very young age in his hometown of Temecula, Calif., thanks to his parents.
"My mom and dad really enjoyed the game and instilled that passion into me," Craig remarked. "I remember being a young kid, with my dad tossing me baseballs outside while I tried to learn how to hit them. That started my love for the game."
While Craig's first love was always baseball, he also played soccer and basketball as a kid. Those two sports stayed with him until he was in high school when he realized that baseball could become a career. Following his senior year in high school, Craig was selected to be a member of the 2002 USA Junior National Team for their tournament in Canada.
"That's when I truly realized that I could have a chance in this game," Craig said. "I made the team and had the chance to play with some of the best players in my age group. That's when baseball became real for me. I got to go to Canada and wear 'USA' across my chest. That's something I'll never forget."
Following the Team USA experience, Craig attended Cal Berkeley, where he was a four-year starter for the Golden Bears. Craig finished his college career hitting .308 and that led the St. Louis Cardinals to invest an eighth round pick (256^th overall) in him in 2006.
Craig rose rapidly through the minors, spending most of his time at third base, while also playing some first base and outfield. Stellar full seasons at Double-A Springfield in 2008 and Triple-A Memphis in 2009, led to his Major League debut in 2010.
Playing on the perennially contending Cardinals, Craig quickly found himself in the spotlight. In 2011, the Cardinals advanced through the playoffs, finding themselves in game seven of the World Series against the Texas Rangers.
Craig started, hit a home run and robbed a home run during the Cardinals' 6-2 win and he says that game was a big factor in his confidence moving forward in his career.
"I was blessed to have an opportunity to start and play in that game. As a young player, you hope to get the opportunity to play in a game seven in the World Series," Craig said. "To come through for the team, have a good game and end up winning was huge. It gave me confidence and it was a really fun group to be a part of."
In addition to hitting a home run and robbing a home run during game seven, Craig also caught the final out. In the rush of winning a World Series championship, Craig promptly found a home for the final out ball, in the hands of his mentor and manager, Tony LaRussa.
"I gave it to Tony after the game. I found out that game was going to be his last game managing, so I figured that was the right place for the ball to be," Craig said. "I had the thrill of being out there and catching that ball and I felt like that was enough for me. I felt that he should have it."
Following the World Series, Temecula honored Craig with an "Allen Craig Day" to celebrate his World Series championship, which Craig calls one of the best moments of his life.
"My parents moved to Temecula in the 70s and they've seen the city grow in front of their eyes," Craig said. "I grew up there and to be recognized by your hometown is really special. Being able to share it with family and the city was one of the best parts of the whole World Series experience."
Following the World Series win, Craig spent two and a half more seasons with the Cardinals, with injuries marring part of his 2013 season. On July 31, 2014, the Cardinals traded Craig to the Red Sox in a deal for John Lackey.
Craig's career with the Red Sox was continuously halted by injuries, as the first baseman played only 265 games between 2014-17 for Triple-A Pawtucket and the Red Sox, with Craig's last MLB appearance coming in 2015.
This offseason, for the first time in his career Craig found himself as a free agent, with the ability to pick his own team. For Craig, signing with the Padres was a no brainer.
"With Skip Schumaker and Mark McGwire as part of the organization, I felt that was a huge positive," Craig said of the Padres. "I live in Southern California and being close to home was important too. I had heard a lot about El Paso, how great of a ballpark it is and the staff here made it feel like the right fit. It's been a blessing to get to know everyone and be a part of this organization."
Craig was placed on the Chihuahuas opening day roster in April, as the oldest member of the team. On a diverse roster, with many young prospects, in addition to a number of veterans, Craig was immediately viewed as a leader, something that he values.
"That is the beauty of this game, you get people from all different backgrounds and ages. We're all putting on the same uniform and playing the game," Craig said. "Obviously I feel that I can still play this game at a high level, but at this point in my career, I definitely see it as a good thing to share certain experiences if guys have questions."
"However I can help, I like to talk about the game and help guys out if they need it," Craig added. "We're all in this together and I really enjoy that part of the game."
While looked upon as a vocal leader, that also involves leading by example on the field. In the first half of the season, Craig has been the Chihuahuas primary first baseman, while also mixing in at designated hitter.
Since the month of May began, Craig is hitting .310, with seven home runs and 28 RBIs to bring his season totals to .288 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs, entering play on June 25.
While another Major League opportunity might be in the cards for Craig, he says he's enjoying his time with the Chihuahuas and is focused on the present.
"There's some things that are out of your control in this game. You can be playing well and not get the opportunity you think you should get and sometimes that's just a matter of how things go," Craig said. "I think you need to control what you can control and at the end of the day, if you can look at yourself in the mirror and know that you're doing everything you can, that's all that matters."