8 Baseball Players who Played for Astros and Rangers
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 Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.
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 Astros and the Rangers.
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan, who pitched from 1966 to 1993, is widely considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Known for his powerful fastball and extraordinary longevity, Ryan played for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers.
Over his career, he amassed an incredible 5,714 strikeouts, a record that still stands. Ryan’s seven no-hitters and 324 wins are further testament to his prowess on the mound. An eight-time All-Star (Angels, Astros, Rangers) and the 1981 AL ERA leader, Ryan’s career was marked by standout performances that earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Roy Oswalt
Roy Oswalt, who pitched from 2001 to 2013, is best known for his time with the Houston Astros, but also played for the Phillies, Rangers and Rockies at the back end of his career.
Oswalt was a dominant force on the mound, racking up over 160 wins and nearly 2,000 strikeouts in his career. Oswalt’s best season arguably came in 2004 (Astros) when he had a record of 20-10 with a 3.49 ERA and 206 strikeouts.
He was a three-time All-Star (Astros) and won the 2005 National League Championship Series MVP, leading the Astros to their first-ever World Series appearance.
Ken Caminiti
Ken Caminiti, who played from 1987 to 2001, is best remembered for his time as a third baseman with the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres.
Caminiti had a significant career, with 983 RBIs, 239 home runs, and a .272 career batting average. His defining season was 1996 with the Padres, when he hit .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs, earning him the National League MVP title.
Caminiti was a three-time All-Star (Astros, Padres) and a three-time Gold Glove winner (Padres), reflecting his high-level performance on both offense and defense.
Ivan Rodriguez
Ivan Rodriguez, also known as “Pudge”, was a beast in baseball from 1991 to 2011. He played for 6 different teams over his career including the Rangers, Tigers, Nationals, Yankees, Astros and Marlins. Rodriguez was a key player in the Marlins’ 2003 World Series win.
He chalked up over 2,800 hits, and hit over 300 home runs in his career with a single-season best 35 home runs in 1999 – his MVP year. Rodriguez made the All-Star team 14 times and won an impressive 13 Gold Gloves for his standout defensive skills.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017, Pudge is often considered one of the best catchers the game has ever seen.
Rodriguez Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Rangers, Tigers, Nationals, Yankees, Astros, Marlins)
- MVP (Rangers)
- All-Star (Rangers, Tigers)
- Gold Glove (Rangers, Tigers)
- Silver Slugger (Rangers, Tigers)
- World Series Champ (Marlins)
- 100+ RBI Season (Rangers)
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman, also known as “Big Puma,” had a distinguished 15-year career in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Houston Astros. A switch-hitting first baseman and outfielder, Berkman was a key figure in the Astros lineup from 1999 to 2010.
He compiled a .293 batting average, 366 home runs, and 1234 RBIs over his career. Berkman’s ability to get on base was a significant aspect of his game, boasting a .406 career on-base percentage.
He was a six-time All-Star, and in 2011, he played a crucial role in the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series victory. He finished seventh in the MVP voting that year, having one of his best seasons with a .301 batting average, 31 home runs, and 94 RBIs.
Berkman Key Stats
- All-Star (Astros, Cardinals)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Astros)
- 100+ RBI Season (Astros)
Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence, a right fielder, played in the majors for 14 years from 2007 to 2020, most notably with the San Francisco Giants, where he was an integral part of their 2012 and 2014 World Series championships.
Pence, a four-time All-Star (Astros, Giants, Rangers), also spent time with the Astros, Phillies, and Rangers. He was known for his unconventional style, both in his swing and his outfield play. Pence finished his career with a .279 batting average, 244 home runs, and 942 RBIs.
His 2013 season with the Giants was a standout, with Pence hitting .283 with 27 home runs and 99 RBIs, earning him a spot in the All-Star game.
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Beltran is a 9-time all-star who played an incredible 20 years in major league baseball. Over his 20-year career, he played for 7 different teams – 2 of which were the Royals and the Mets.
Beltran also played for the New York Yankees, St Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants – making him an extremely versatile Immaculate Grid answer.
Beltran Key Stats
- Rookie of the Year (Royals)
- All-Star (Astros, Mets, Cardinals, Yankees)
- Gold Glove (Mets)
- Silver Slugger (Mets)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Mets)
- 100+ RBI Season (Royals, Mets)
- 40+ Stolen Base Season (Royals)
Carlos Lee
Carlos Lee, who played from 1999 to 2012, is best known for his time as an outfielder with the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.
Over his 14-season career, Lee amassed over 2200 hits, 358 home runs, and maintained a .285 career batting average. He was named an All-Star three times (Brewers, Astros) and was consistently a power threat in the middle of the lineup.
His most productive season may have been 2006 when he split time between the Brewers and Rangers, batting .300 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs.
