9 Baseball Players who Played for Braves and Padres
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 Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres.
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 Braves and the Padres.
Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux, who pitched from 1986 to 2008, is renowned for his time with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. Known as “The Professor” for his strategic approach to the game, Maddux compiled 355 wins, a 3.16 ERA, and struck out 3,371 batters over his career.
He was an eight-time All-Star (Cubs, Braves) and won an unprecedented four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995. In addition, he won a remarkable 18 Gold Gloves (Cubs, Braves, Padres), demonstrating his excellent fielding abilities as a pitcher. Maddux was a key part of the Braves’ 1995 World Series win.
His consistent excellence, control, and tactical approach to pitching earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
*Maddux was previously the most popular player for this square (Grid 124)
Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, quickly earning the closer role. In his rookie season, he recorded 46 saves, a 2.10 ERA, and was named the NL Rookie of the Year. He went on to lead the National League in saves for four consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2014, earning All-Star honors in each of those years.
After his time with the Braves, Kimbrel played for the San Diego Padres before being traded to the Boston Red Sox. He continued to be one of the league’s best closers, helping the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018 with some crucial postseason performances.
Kimbrel’s later career has included stints with the Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers and Phillies. His ability to strike out batters at a high rate and close out games with efficiency has been a hallmark of his career.
Kimbrel Key Stats
- All-Star (Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies)
- World Series Champ (Red Sox)
- 300+ Career Saves (Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers, Padres, White Sox)
- 40+ Save Season (Braves, Red Sox)
Andy Ashby
Andy Ashby, a prominent player from 1991 to 2004, is best remembered for his time as a starting pitcher with the Padres, but also had stops with the Phillies, Dodgers, Rockies and Braves.
Ashby was known for his sinker and slider, winning 98 games throughout his career. His best years were with the Padres, including a standout 1998 season where he won 17 games and helped lead the team to a National League pennant.
A two-time All-Star, Ashby was a consistent and dependable pitcher, providing a solid presence in the rotation for a decade.
Ron Gant
Ron Gant played from 1987 to 2003 and is probably best remembered for his time with the Braves and Reds. However, Gant played for 8 teams over his 16-year career making him an extremely versatile Immaculate Grid player.
Gant brought a dynamic mix of power and speed to the game, hitting over 300 home runs and stealing more than 240 bases during his career. In 1993, Gant hit a career-high 36 home runs and drove in 117 RBIs while finishing 5th in MVP voting.
Gant was a two-time All-Star and his 30-30 seasons (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases) in 1990 and 1991 were also high points in his career. After a devastating motorcycle accident before the 1994 season, Gant made an impressive comeback, proving his resilience and further endearing him to fans.
Robinson Cano
Robinson Cano began his MLB career with the Yankees in 2005, quickly establishing himself as one of the game’s top second basemen. He was selected for multiple All-Star Games and won a World Series championship in 2009. He also earned Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards in New York.
In 2014, Cano signed with the Seattle Mariners, inking one of the most lucrative contracts in baseball history at the time. With the Mariners, he continued to excel, earning additional All-Star selections and reaching career milestones in hits and home runs.
Despite his on-field successes, Cano’s career faced significant setbacks (and controversy) when he was suspended for 80 games during the 2018 season and 162 games in 2020 for violating MLB’s drug policy.
Cano Key Stats
- All-Star (Yankees, Mariners)
- Gold Glove (Yankees)
- Silver Slugger (Yankees)
- World Series Champ (Yankees)
- 200+ Hit Season (Yankees)
- 100+ RBI Season (Yankees, Mariners)
- .300 Batting Average Season (Yankees, Mariners, Mets)
Brad Hand
Brad Hand was selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He is a relief pitcher known for his quality fastball-slider combination.
Throughout his career, Hand has received several honors, including three All-Star selections in 2017, 2018, and 2019. He has also been among the league leaders in saves multiple times.
Hand has played for 9 different teams in his 13-year career (6 just in the last three seasons) including the Marlins, Padres, Indians, Nationals, Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies, Rockies and Braves.
Hand Key Stats
- All-Star (Padres, Indians)
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.
Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield was a beast on the baseball field and is a beast on the Immaculate Grid. He played from 1988 to 2009, suiting up for eight different teams – Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Yankees, Braves, Padres, Tigers and Mets.
Sheffield helped the Marlins snag a World Series Championship in ’97. Over his career, he cranked out 509 home runs (one of 28 players who hit over 500) and had a solid .292 batting average.
Sheffield was a nine-time All-Star, but his multiple stops along his career are what makes him really stand out for this particular game.
Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff was a powerhouse over his 19 year career in majors. Over that time he played for 6 different teams including the Rays, Braves, Blue Jays, Padres, Cubs and Dodgers.
Earning the nickname “Crime Dog” from Chris Berman, McGriff smashed over 490 home runs (career high of 36 in 1989 with the Blue Jays) and 1500 RBIs.
He was a key player in the Braves’ 1995 World Series win and made the All-Star team five times. McGriff was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.
