8 Baseball Players who Played Brewers 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 Milwaukee Brewers 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 on both the Brewers and Pirates.
Dave Parker
Dave Parker, who played from 1973 to 1991, is best known for his time as an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. However, he also made stops with the A’s, Angels, Blue Jays and Brewers.
Parker was a powerhouse at the plate, racking up over 2,700 hits, 339 home runs, and maintained a .290 career batting average. He was a seven-time All-Star (Pirates, Reds, Brewers) and won two National League batting titles. His crowning achievement was in 1978 when he won the National League MVP award with the Pirates.
Also recognized for his defensive skills, Parker won three Gold Gloves (Pirates). His combination of power, hitting ability, and fielding skills made him one of the standout players of his era and led to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jason Kendall
Jason Kendall is highly regarded for his role as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1996 to 2010. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Kansas City Royals.
A three-time All-Star (Pirates), Kendall had a .288 lifetime batting average (.327 in ’98 with Pittsburgh), 75 home runs, and 744 RBIs. He also accumulated 189 stolen bases, an impressive number for a catcher.
His reputation for toughness and durability resulted in him catching over 2000 games, one of only a few catchers to reach this milestone.
Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen is widely recognized for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he established himself as one of the league’s premier players. Making his MLB debut in 2009 with the Pirates, McCutchen quickly became the face of the franchise and was known for his blend of power, speed, and defensive prowess in center field.
During his tenure in Pittsburgh, he amassed several accolades, including being named an All-Star five times and winning the National League MVP award in 2013. His leadership and on-field excellence were pivotal in leading the Pirates to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2013 to 2015, breaking a long postseason drought for the team.
After Pittsburgh, McCutchen went on to play for teams like the Giants, Yankees, Phillies and Brewers. Throughout his career, McCutchen’s energetic play, charismatic personality, and community involvement have endeared him to fans and peers alike.
McCutchen Key Stats
- MVP (Pirates)
- Gold Glove (Pirates)
- Silver Slugger (Pirates)
- .300 Batting Average Season (Pirates)
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.
John Vander Wal
John Vander Wal, a journeyman outfielder and first baseman, played in the Major Leagues from 1991 to 2004 for eight different teams, most notably the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies.
Vander Wal was renowned for his pinch-hitting skills, setting a single-season record with 28 pinch-hits for the Rockies in 1995. Over his career, he accumulated over 700 hits, 97 home runs, and a career batting average of .261.
Although he never reached superstar status, Vander Wal’s ability to consistently deliver hits off the bench made him a valuable asset for many teams throughout his career.
Dan Plesac
Dan Plesac had an impressive 18-year career from 1986 to 2003. With stints at the Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, and Phillies, Plesac was a three-time All-Star (Brewers) and one of the top relievers of his era.
He appeared in a total of 1,064 games, the majority as a reliever, ending his career with a 65-71 record, 3.64 ERA, and 158 saves. Plesac had one of his best years in 1989 when he posted a career-best 2.35 ERA with 33 saves for the Brewers.
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.
Daniel Vogelbach
Daniel Vogelbach was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He is a first baseman but has primarily filled the role of designated hitter, who has played for the Mariners, Brewers, Blue Jays, Pirates and Mets.
In his MLB career, Vogelbach has shown power at the plate, highlighted by his All-Star selection in 2019 while with the Mariners. In that season, he hit 30 home runs and drove in 76 runs, batting .208 with a .341 on-base percentage.
Vogelbach has been known for his strong batting eye and home run ability. His defensive limitations have often led him to be used as a designated hitter in the American League.
