Call to the pen
Fansided

The declining Albert Pujols and others before him

By Bobby Mueller

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 25: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) looks on during a preseason MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on March 25, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 25: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) looks on during a preseason MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on March 25, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

Craig Biggio

Craig Biggio came to the big leagues as a catcher, where he won a Silver Slugger and was an all-star, then moved to second base, where he continued to win awards. In the 12 years from his rookie year in 1988 through his age 33 season in 1999, Biggio was a seven-time all-star who hit .292/.380/.437 and averaged 4.7 WAR per season and 56.2 WAR total.

He had 1868 career hits and had an OPS+ that made him 24 percent better than league average as a hitter. He also picked up MVP votes in five seasons, won four Gold Gloves, and five Silver Sluggers.

These first 12 seasons provided the bulk of Biggio’s career value. Over his final eight seasons, he hit .266/.338/.428, which made him five percent below average on offense. He also stopped winning Gold Glove awards and spent a couple of years in the outfield. He was worth a total of 9.3 WAR, with three above-average seasons out of the eight he played.

Overall, 86 percent of Biggio’s career value came before the age of 34, at which point he had fewer than 2000 career hits. He added another 1192 career hits during his decline phase, which permitted him to top 3000 hits for his career.

Unless you’re Pete Rose and you’ve been caught gambling on baseball, getting 3000 hits gains you entry into the Hall of Fame. Biggio got there, but it wasn’t pretty at the end. He hit .249/.296/.402 over his final two seasons (88 OPS+, -1.7 WAR).

Home/MLB News