Allen Craig

In 2006, Sports Speaker Allen Craig was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8^th round after he had a strong season with the Cardinal farm system where he hit 76 home runs in 3 ½ seasons. Craig appeared in his first MLB game on April 8, 2010 and his first home run was hit on July 19, 2010. Allen caught the last out of the 2011 World Series as the Cardinals were named 2011 World Series Champions.

After the 2011 World Series, Allen had been having problems with his knee cap and decided to undergo surgery and was put on the disability list until May 1st. Just one month later his tie-breaking two-run home run against the Mets allowed the Cardinals to break their five-game losing streak. Although being on the disability list twice, the 2012 season had a lot of positives for Allen such as being ranked tenth in NL batting, seventh in slugging percentage and playing 30 games in outfield and 86 starts at first base. Allen then became the Cardinals primary first baseman and they agreed to a five-year contract with a team-option for a sixth season. In 2013, he was selected for his first All-Star Game as a reserve first baseman. Later that year Allen suffered a Linsfranc injury preventing him from playing in the rest of the regular season, but returned for the World Series where they eventually lost to the Red Sox in six games.

In 2014, Allen had to change positions yet again to right field and was eventually traded along with Joe Kelly to the Red Sox. The following year the Red Sox sent Allen to play for the Pawtucket Red Sox, part of the class AAA International League. Due to not acquiring five years of service time, the Red Sox could send Allen to the minor leagues without his consent. Still playing in the minor leagues, Allen hopes to get another opportunity to play for a major league team.

In 2014, Sports Speaker Allen partnered with Cardinals teammate Jon Jay for the Jay-Craig Celebrity Bowl and the Flamingo Bowl where all proceeds benefited Great Circle, which provides behavioral health services, foster care, adoption, educational challenges, etc. Allen Craig is available for sporting events, sports cinics, and fundraisers.