Carlton Fisk vs Ted Simmons: Career Stats Comparison
Carlton Fisk has the better career line of the two, leading 7 of the 14 scored categories on this page (1 further counting total is shown but not scored). Carlton Fisk played 1969–1993 as a hitter; Ted Simmons played 1968–1988 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
Carlton Fisk (1969–1993) and Ted Simmons (1968–1988) — both broke in during the 1960s, which makes the head-to-head feel like a contemporaries' debate. Carlton Fisk finished with 2,356 hits and 376 home runs; Ted Simmons finished with 2,472 hits and 248 home runs. Below is the full career table, PIV adjustment, peak seasons, and a verdict.
Quick answer
- Who hit more home runs? Carlton Fisk, with 376 to Ted Simmons's 248.
- Who had the higher OPS? Carlton Fisk, with .797 to Ted Simmons's .785.
- Who had the higher batting average? Ted Simmons, with .285 to Carlton Fisk's .269.
- Who had more hits? Ted Simmons, with 2,472 to Carlton Fisk's 2,356.
- Who drove in more runs? Ted Simmons, with 1,389 to Carlton Fisk's 1,330.
- Who has the higher career PIV? Carlton Fisk, with 21,513 career PIV to Ted Simmons's 20,131.
Carlton Fisk
Ted Simmons
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate for Carlton Fisk and Ted Simmons. 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 | Carlton Fisk | Ted Simmons |
|---|---|---|
| Games | Leads: 2,499 | 2,456 |
| At-Bats | Leads: 8,756 | 8,680 |
| Runs | Leads: 1,276 | 1,074 |
| Hits | 2,356 | Leads: 2,472 |
| Doubles | 421 | Leads: 483 |
| Triples | 47 | 47 |
| Home Runs | Leads: 376 | 248 |
| RBI | 1,330 | Leads: 1,389 |
| Walks | 849 | Leads: 855 |
| Strikeouts not scored | 1,386 | 694 |
| Stolen Bases | Leads: 128 | 21 |
| Batting Avg | .269 | Leads: .285 |
| On-Base % | .341 | Leads: .348 |
| Slugging % | Leads: .457 | .437 |
| OPS | Leads: .797 | .785 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Carlton Fisk edges Ted Simmons 21,513 to 20,131 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Carlton Fisk played 24 seasons to Ted Simmons's 21, while Ted Simmons carries the higher per-season figure (959 to 896). 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).
Carlton Fisk — top 3 seasons by OPS
Ted Simmons — top 3 seasons by OPS
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Carlton Fisk leads in home runs, runs, stolen bases, and OPS, while Ted Simmons owns hits, RBI, and batting average. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Carlton Fisk. PIV agrees: Carlton Fisk grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Carlton Fisk and Ted Simmons careers compare
From 1969 through 1988, Carlton Fisk and Ted Simmons were in the majors together. The two careers are close in length, 2,499 games for Carlton Fisk and 2,456 for Ted Simmons across 24 and 21 PIV seasons, so the totals compare on fairly even terms. At the plate, Carlton Fisk struck out more than walked (1,386 to 849), while Ted Simmons walked more often than struck out (855 walks, 694 strikeouts). Carlton Fisk is the more power-leaning hitter, with 376 of 2,356 hits leaving the park. Carlton Fisk was the more frequent base stealer relative to games played. Carlton Fisk's slugging percentage of .457 tops Ted Simmons's .437.
Carlton Fisk vs Ted Simmons: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Carlton Fisk or Ted Simmons?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Carlton Fisk leads Ted Simmons in 7 of the 14 scored categories.
- Did Carlton Fisk or Ted Simmons hit more home runs?
- Carlton Fisk, with 376 to Ted Simmons's 248.
- Who had the higher OPS?
- Carlton Fisk, with .797 to Ted Simmons's .785.
- Who had the higher batting average?
- Ted Simmons, with .285 to Carlton Fisk's .269.
- Who had more hits?
- Ted Simmons, with 2,472 to Carlton Fisk's 2,356.