7 Baseball Players that Played for Red Sox and Pirates
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Red Sox and the Pirates.
Jason Bay
Jason Bay, a Canadian-born outfielder, had a successful career in Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2013. Notably, Bay had successful stints with the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, where he showed his power at the plate.
Bay kicked off his career with a bang, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2004 while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was selected to the All-Star team three times (Pirates, Red Sox) and hit over 200 home runs in his career.
Bronson Arroyo
Bronson Arroyo had a 16-year career playing for several teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. Known for his high leg kick and a wide variety of pitches, Arroyo had a distinctive style on the mound that made him a fan favorite.
Arroyo played a pivotal role in the Boston Red Sox’s curse-breaking World Series win in 2004.
Following his stint in Boston, he became a staple of the Cincinnati Reds’ rotation, earning an All-Star nod in 2006. That year, he led the National League in innings pitched (240.2) and finished with a solid 3.29 ERA. In 2010, Arroyo won a Gold Glove with Cincinnati for his defensive efforts on the mound.
Rich Hill
Rich Hill is an Immaculate Grid beast. The left-handed pitcher has played for 13 different clubs over his incredible 19-year career – one that is still ongoing as I’m writing this (he’s currently pitching with the Padres).
Hill’s MLB journey began when he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2002. After making his major league debut in 2005, he had initial success with the Cubs, particularly in 2007 when he had a standout season. However, injuries, inconsistency, and command issues led to him bouncing around the minors and various MLB teams for several years.
After refining his pitching approach and mechanics, he experienced a career resurgence starting in 2015. At an age when many players see diminished returns, Hill became one of the most effective starters in baseball. This late-career renaissance led to stints with the Red Sox, Athletics, Dodgers, Twins, and Rays.
*Hill was the most popular player for this square in a previous grid (Grid 143)
Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield, who played from 1992 to 2011, spent the majority of his career as a knuckleball pitcher for the Red Sox.
Wakefield was a unique figure on the mound, using his signature knuckleball to accumulate 200 wins and more than 2,000 strikeouts. He was a key figure in the Red Sox’s 2004 and 2007 World Series championship teams, breaking the “Curse of the Bambino”.
RARITY SCORE ALERT: Everyone remembers Wakefield as a Red Sox where he spent 17 years of his career. However, much fewer probably recall his first two seasons that he spent as a Pittsburgh Pirate.
Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan played for 7 different teams (Royals, Cardinals, Red Sox, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Padres) over his 17-year career. Suppan was known for his consistent performance on the mound, amassing over 140 wins in his career.
His most successful stint came with the Cardinals, where he played a crucial role in their 2006 World Series run, earning the NLCS MVP for his stellar performance.
Despite not being a big strikeout pitcher, Suppan was a dependable arm in the rotation, providing valuable innings for his teams over a lengthy career.
Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs had a lengthy Major League career that spanned from 1992 to 2011, during which he played for 12 different teams, essentially making him an Immaculate Grid Hall-of-Famer.
Known for his power-hitting abilities, primarily as a pinch-hitter, he hit 265 home runs over his career and holds the record for the most pinch-hit home runs in MLB history with 23. Stairs had a career batting average of .262 with an OPS of .832, and recorded 899 RBIs.
Notably, in the 2008 postseason with the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit one of the most famous home runs in Phillies history, helping the team move onto the World Series that year.
Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce is a player who made a name for himself as a utility player capable of performing at various positions, most notably at first base and in the outfield.
Pearce played for several teams during his MLB career, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox. However, it was with the Red Sox that he had the defining moment of his career.
After joining the Red Sox mid-season in 2018, Pearce played a crucial role in their postseason run. He was named the World Series Most Valuable Player as the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pearce had several key hits throughout the Series, including three home runs and eight RBIs.
