Adrian Gonzalez vs Ryan Howard: Career Stats Comparison
Adrian Gonzalez has the better career line of the two, leading 9 of the 14 scored categories on this page (1 further counting total is shown but not scored). Adrian Gonzalez played 2004–2018 as a hitter; Ryan Howard played 2004–2016 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
Adrian Gonzalez (2004–2018) and Ryan Howard (2004–2016) — both broke in during the 2000s, which makes the head-to-head feel like a contemporaries' debate. Adrian Gonzalez finished with 2,050 hits and 317 home runs; Ryan Howard finished with 1,475 hits and 382 home runs. Below is the full career table, PIV adjustment, peak seasons, and a verdict.
Quick answer
- Who hit more home runs? Ryan Howard, with 382 to Adrian Gonzalez's 317.
- Who had the higher OPS? Ryan Howard, with .859 to Adrian Gonzalez's .843.
- Who had the higher batting average? Adrian Gonzalez, with .287 to Ryan Howard's .258.
- Who had more hits? Adrian Gonzalez, with 2,050 to Ryan Howard's 1,475.
- Who drove in more runs? Adrian Gonzalez, with 1,202 to Ryan Howard's 1,194.
- Who has the higher career PIV? Adrian Gonzalez, with 22,539 career PIV to Ryan Howard's 19,167.
- Who won more championships? Ryan Howard, with 1 World Series title to Adrian Gonzalez's 0.
Adrian Gonzalez
Ryan Howard
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate for Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Howard. 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 | Adrian Gonzalez | Ryan Howard |
|---|---|---|
| Games | Leads: 1,929 | 1,572 |
| At-Bats | Leads: 7,139 | 5,707 |
| Runs | Leads: 997 | 848 |
| Hits | Leads: 2,050 | 1,475 |
| Doubles | Leads: 437 | 277 |
| Triples | 12 | Leads: 21 |
| Home Runs | 317 | Leads: 382 |
| RBI | Leads: 1,202 | 1,194 |
| Walks | Leads: 782 | 709 |
| Strikeouts not scored | 1,401 | 1,843 |
| Stolen Bases | 6 | Leads: 12 |
| Batting Avg | Leads: .287 | .258 |
| On-Base % | Leads: .358 | .343 |
| Slugging % | .485 | Leads: .515 |
| OPS | .843 | Leads: .859 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Adrian Gonzalez leads Ryan Howard 22,539 to 19,167 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Adrian Gonzalez played 16 seasons to Ryan Howard's 13, while Ryan Howard carries the higher per-season figure (1,474 to 1,409). 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).
Adrian Gonzalez — top 3 seasons by OPS
Ryan Howard — top 3 seasons by OPS
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Adrian Gonzalez leads in hits, RBI, runs, and batting average, while Ryan Howard owns home runs, stolen bases, and OPS. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Adrian Gonzalez. PIV agrees: Adrian Gonzalez grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Howard careers compare
From 2004 through 2016, Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Howard were in the majors together. With 1,929 games against 1,572 across 16 and 13 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Adrian Gonzalez struck out more than walked (1,401 to 782); Ryan Howard struck out more than walked (1,843 to 709). Ryan Howard is the more power-leaning hitter, with 382 of 1,475 hits leaving the park. Ryan Howard's slugging percentage of .515 tops Adrian Gonzalez's .485. On the peak-season lists, Adrian Gonzalez's best year is 2009 at .958 OPS and Ryan Howard's is 2006 at 1.084 OPS; Ryan Howard has the stronger single season.
Adrian Gonzalez vs Ryan Howard: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Adrian Gonzalez or Ryan Howard?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Adrian Gonzalez leads Ryan Howard in 9 of the 14 scored categories.
- Did Adrian Gonzalez or Ryan Howard hit more home runs?
- Ryan Howard, with 382 to Adrian Gonzalez's 317.
- Who had the higher OPS?
- Ryan Howard, with .859 to Adrian Gonzalez's .843.
- Who had the higher batting average?
- Adrian Gonzalez, with .287 to Ryan Howard's .258.
- Who had more hits?
- Adrian Gonzalez, with 2,050 to Ryan Howard's 1,475.