Craig says the Cardinals brass noticed he was a bit overweight and challenged him to shed a few pounds before 2007 spring training.

"The Cardinals wanted me to lose 10 to 15 pounds in the offseason," Craig said. "The first thing that I did was to cut out cheeseburgers and things like that. I also started ordering a salad every once in a while. Besides eating better, I was also on a 30-minute cardio program and lifted weights every day."

Allen also took a lot of batting practice at batting cages near his home in Temecula, California. "I had to go to the batting cages and they charged me $15 for 10 minutes. I spent around $300 hitting in those cages. It cost me a lot, but it was worth it."

During the winter before 2008 spring training, the Baseball America Prospect Handbook rated Allen as the 15th-best prospect in the Cardinals' organization. He was down at #26 in the spring of 2009.

But they moved Craig all the way up to 7th-best in the Cardinals' farm system in the winter before 2010 spring camps opened. And they moved him up to #5 in the spring of 2011.

In the spring of 2009, Craig turned 27 Grapefruit League at-bats into a .444/.531/.667 batting line and a solid impression on the Major League staff.

In 2009, Allen was the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year. He ranked third in the Pacific Coast League in homers (26) and fourth in hitting (.322).

On November 12, 2011 Allen married long-time girlfriend, Marie LaMarca. The couple reside in their mutual hometown of Temecula, California, along with their daughter Eden and pet tortoise, Torty. Torty, who Craig has had since a hatchling, has served as an informal mascot for the Cardinals.

When growing up, Craig's favorite baseball player was Ken Griffey Jr. and he was also a fan of Cal Ripken Jr.

His favorite movies are "Major League" and "Major League II."

Craig enjoys golf as a hobby, having played since being introduced to the game as a small child by his father, and also enjoys playing basketball.

Spring Training 2017:  "I see more life in Craig's body," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "I see better bat speed. There's crispness. There's power. A couple of really good swings. The ability to impact the baseball has been a little bit more consistent. There's been more hard contact."

Hard contact used to be a way of life for Craig. And he thinks it will be again. The key will be staying healthy.Playing for Pawtucket in 2016, Craig suffered a left oblique strain and then had inflammation in his right knee. He appeared in only 29 games, and for the first time since 2009, none of them were in the Major Leagues.

"I think I had a pretty good spring in 2016," said Craig. "I just kind of ran into a tough injury in the middle of the year and I honestly didn't even get to play much. I played like 20 games or something, so it was kind of a lost year in that regard. It was tough."

How does Craig avoid getting discouraged?  "I try to maintain the perspective that baseball has been pretty good to me over the years," Craig said. "I've had a lot of good times playing the game --- more good times than bad times. I know things can change quickly."

Craig's downward spiral started with the lisfranc injury in his left foot late in the 2013 season. From there, mechanical issues developed. But he thinks he is over all that now.

"Injuries happen to people," Craig said. "People come back from injuries all the time. It's part of the game. I just keep working and a lot of stuff is out of my hands. I feel great. I feel confident up there. I'm just trying to have fun."  (Browne - mlb.com - 3/8/17)

TRANSACTIONS

June 2006: The Cardinals chose Craig in the 8th round, out of the University of Calif.-Berkeley. He signed with scout Dane Walker.

Craig gets $1.75 million for 2013, $2.75 million in 2014, $5.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016 and $11 million in 2017. The Cardinals have a $13 million option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout.

July 31, 2014: The Red Sox sent John Lackey, LHP Corey Littrell, and cash to the Cardinals; acquiring Craig and RHP Joe Kelly.

Allen was visibly shaken when he heard of the trade, but soon calmed down.

"The business of baseball sometimes takes you directions that you weren't exactly expecting, but that's part of the game," he said. "The toughest part was just leaving the people behind, because that's what it's about—relationships with people. To see that ending is a little sad, but I'm really looking forward to this opportunity that I have with the Red Sox."

June 30, 2017: The Red Sox released Craig.

Craig's bat gets him in the lineup. He is a real slugger who uses the whole field. He is a run producer.

He has a level swing with good torque and bat speed.

He has improved at being more selective at the plate. He has a better feel for the strike zone and his ability to turn on pitches. (Spring 2011)

Craig makes consistent contact, hitting the ball all over the yard.

Allen is good at making adjustments between at-bats.

"Allen's a professional hitter. He's a great guy. He works, and he wants to work at the right things. He wants to get better," said hitting coach Chili Davis. "He had a year last year that was due to injuries, due to a lot of changes in the middle of the year. I think this year, I expect him to be the guy he was in St. Louis. He's healthy, he's a good hitter, he's a clutch hitter. You can't teach that." (Browne - mlb.com - 3/25/15)

The move brings a formal end to Craig's playing career, after he’d spent six seasons in the big leagues from 2010-15. Craig won a World Series with the Cardinals in '11 and was named an All-Star in '13 when he batted .315/.373/.457 for St. Louis.

Craig spent the 2018 season in the Padres' organization, serving as Triple-A El Paso's first baseman. In his new role, a source said, Craig will be called upon as a resource for young hitters in the Minor Leagues. Team staffers have already touted Craig's impact on young hitters like Franmil Reyes and Luis Urías.

June 8-August 10, 2011: Craig was on the D.L. with a fracture in his right patella (kneecap).

He required right knee surgery.

August 2-21, 2014: Allen was on the D.L. with a sprained right foot.

April 13-May 16, 2016: Craig was on the D.L.

May 20-August 14, 2016: Allen went right back on the D.L. for  nearly 3 months.