[APXG]

Both Gwynn and Ripken are amongst the most overrated "stars" of all time, so the answer depends on how much you value the consec. games streak that has little relevance to on-field performance.

Comparing each guy to replacement players is a flawed Ripken argument b.c. it doesn't take defense into account, which was significantly more important than offense at the SS position during that era. Thus, most players with offensive talent who were not top notch defensively simply played other positions. Ripken is an exception, but that still doesn't give a reason to use offensive vorp as a multiplier for his very mediocre(when compared to superstars) general offensive stats. If one used offesive+defensive combined vorp, Ripken would not stand out nearly as much, and even less so if you weighted defense heavier than offense, which is what was done at SS during the era.

Maybe I would choose Ripken also, but it wouldn't be because of statistical on-field performance. Based only on stats, Gwynn has an edge b.c. he had truly impressive BA and BA+steal numbers that stood out amongst ALL offensive players of that era, not just those at his position. None of Ripken's stats or even his best season would stand out if he wasn't specifically a SS.

For example, stick Torii Hunter at SS and the only difference would be longevity, intangibles, etc. He'd definitely be an above average defensive SS simply due to defensive talent, and have avg. per season offensive numbers pretty close to Ripken's.