Craig Biggio vs Cal Ripken: Career Stats Comparison
Craig Biggio has the better career line of the two, leading 8 of the 14 scored categories on this page (1 further counting total is shown but not scored). Craig Biggio played 1988–2007 as a hitter; Cal Ripken played 1981–2001 as a hitter.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
Craig Biggio (1988–2007) and Cal Ripken (1981–2001) — both broke in during the 1980s, which makes the head-to-head feel like a contemporaries' debate. Craig Biggio finished with 3,060 hits and 291 home runs; Cal Ripken finished with 3,184 hits and 431 home runs. Below is the full career table, PIV adjustment, peak seasons, and a verdict.
Quick answer
- Who hit more home runs? Cal Ripken, with 431 to Craig Biggio's 291.
- Who had the higher OPS? Craig Biggio, with .796 to Cal Ripken's .788.
- Who had the higher batting average? Craig Biggio, with .281 to Cal Ripken's .276.
- Who had more hits? Cal Ripken, with 3,184 to Craig Biggio's 3,060.
- Who drove in more runs? Cal Ripken, with 1,695 to Craig Biggio's 1,175.
- Who has the higher career PIV? Cal Ripken, with 19,199 career PIV to Craig Biggio's 18,390.
- Who won more championships? Cal Ripken, with 1 World Series title to Craig Biggio's 0.
Craig Biggio
Cal Ripken
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate for Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken. Cells highlighted in green mark the category leader. 14 of the 15 lines below are scored; the other one is a counting total on which fewer is not an achievement, so no one is awarded it. Counting stats reward longevity, and strikeouts are left unmarked because a longer career accumulates more of them. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Craig Biggio | Cal Ripken |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 2,850 | Leads: 3,001 |
| At-Bats | 10,876 | Leads: 11,551 |
| Runs | Leads: 1,844 | 1,647 |
| Hits | 3,060 | Leads: 3,184 |
| Doubles | Leads: 668 | 603 |
| Triples | Leads: 55 | 44 |
| Home Runs | 291 | Leads: 431 |
| RBI | 1,175 | Leads: 1,695 |
| Walks | Leads: 1,160 | 1,129 |
| Strikeouts not scored | 1,753 | 1,305 |
| Stolen Bases | Leads: 414 | 36 |
| Batting Avg | Leads: .281 | .276 |
| On-Base % | Leads: .363 | .340 |
| Slugging % | .433 | Leads: .447 |
| OPS | Leads: .796 | .788 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Cal Ripken edges Craig Biggio 19,199 to 18,390 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Cal Ripken played 21 seasons to Craig Biggio's 20, while Craig Biggio carries the higher per-season figure (919 to 914). PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
PIV is computed through the 2025 season. The career totals on this page include 2026 to date, so PIV does not yet reflect the 2026 season.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by OPS among qualified workloads (300+ at-bats).
Craig Biggio — top 3 seasons by OPS
Cal Ripken — top 3 seasons by OPS
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Craig Biggio leads in runs, stolen bases, batting average, and OBP, while Cal Ripken owns hits, home runs, and RBI. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Craig Biggio. Note that PIV actually grades Cal Ripken ahead, which means Craig Biggio's edge is partly volume. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken careers compare
From 1988 through 2001, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken were in the majors together. With 2,850 games against 3,001 across 20 and 21 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Craig Biggio struck out more than walked (1,753 to 1,160); Cal Ripken struck out more than walked (1,305 to 1,129). Home runs make up a larger share of Cal Ripken's hits: 291 of 3,060 for Craig Biggio, 431 of 3,184 for Cal Ripken. Craig Biggio was the more frequent base stealer relative to games played. Best seasons: 1997 for Craig Biggio (.916 OPS, 22 HR, 81 RBI, .309 avg) and 1999 for Cal Ripken (.952 OPS, 18 HR, 57 RBI, .340 avg).
Craig Biggio vs Cal Ripken: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Craig Biggio or Cal Ripken?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Craig Biggio leads Cal Ripken in 8 of the 14 scored categories.
- Did Craig Biggio or Cal Ripken hit more home runs?
- Cal Ripken, with 431 to Craig Biggio's 291.
- Who had the higher OPS?
- Craig Biggio, with .796 to Cal Ripken's .788.
- Who had the higher batting average?
- Craig Biggio, with .281 to Cal Ripken's .276.
- Who had more hits?
- Cal Ripken, with 3,184 to Craig Biggio's 3,060.