8 Baseball Players who Played for Cardinals and Yankees
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 St Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees.
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 Cardinals and the Yankees. Here’s a mix of well-known stars along with some under-the-radar gems.
Matt Carpenter
Matt Carpenter was drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in 2011. An adaptable player, Carpenter started his career as a utility infielder before becoming the team’s primary third baseman, and eventually settling in at first base.
Known for his disciplined plate approach, Carpenter led the National League in walks in 2014 and has consistently been among the league leaders in pitches per plate appearance.
His most productive season came in 2013 when he led the league in runs scored (126) and hits (199), earning him a Silver Slugger Award and a 4th place finish in MVP voting. He also earned All-Star appearances in 2013, 2014, and 2016 (all with the Cardinals).
Jordan Montgomery
Jordan Montgomery was selected by the New York Yankees in the 4th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut on April 12, 2017.
Montgomery quickly made an impression as a promising young left-handed starter for the Yankees. Though injuries have occasionally hindered his progress, he’s shown the ability to be a solid part of a rotation.
After 6 seasons with the Yankees, Montgomery was traded to the Cardinals. Less than a year later, he was on the move again – this time through a trade to the Texas Rangers where he’s pitching today (as of this writing).
Lance Lynn
Lance Lynn was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2011 and quickly became a key part of the Cardinals’ rotation. During his time in St. Louis, he helped the team win a World Series championship in 2011.
After leaving the Cardinals, Lynn had stints with the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees, continuing to demonstrate his ability as a solid starting pitcher. In 2019, he joined the Texas Rangers, where he had one of his best seasons, leading the American League in starts and finishing fifth in Cy Young Award voting.
Lance Lynn later joined the White Sox and now the Dodgers, where he continues to be a valuable asset to the team’s pitching staff. His consistent performances, strong work ethic, and ability to pitch deep into games have made him a sought-after pitcher and a leader on the mound.
Lynn Key Stats
- All-Star (Cardinals, White Sox)
- World Series Champ (Cardinals)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Rangers)
Bob Tewksbury
Bob Tewksbury is best known for his time as a starting pitcher with the Cardinals, but he also played with the Twins, Cubs, Yankees, Rangers and Padres.
Tewksbury was a master of control and precision on the mound, accumulating over 100 wins in his career. His best season came in 1992 when he won 16 games with a 2.16 ERA for the Cardinals and earned his only All-Star appearance. He also finished third in Cy Young voting.
Tino Martinez
Tino Martinez, a two-time All-Star first baseman, was a vital component of the New York Yankees dynasty in the late 1990s. Known for his power and run-producing ability, Martinez had an impressive career from 1990 to 2005 with the Mariners, Yankees, Cardinals, and Rays.
He amassed 339 home runs and drove in 1271 runs during his career, while maintaining a .271 lifetime batting average. Martinez had a knack for the dramatic, including his grand slam in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. Martinez was a key component of the 4 World Series titles that the Yankees won in ’96, ’98, ’99 and 2000.
Martinez Key Stats
- All-Star (Mariners, Yankees)
- Silver Slugger (Yankees)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Yankees)
- 100+ RBI Season (Mariners, Yankees)
Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday was a big-time player in baseball from 2004 to 2018. He started with the Rockies, and had a nice run with the Cardinals, but also had brief stints with the A’s and Yankees.
Holliday was a beast at the plate and played a huge role in the Cardinals’ World Series win in 2011.
He hit over 300 home runs and maintained a strong .299 batting average throughout his career. He made the All-Star team seven times.
Todd Zeile
Todd Zeile had a long career in Major League Baseball, playing for 11 different teams over 16 years from 1989 to 2004. Primarily a third baseman, Zeile also displayed his versatility by playing first base and catcher.
He finished his career with a .265 batting average, racking up 2004 hits, 253 home runs, and 1110 RBIs. Zeile hit a home run in his first and last career at-bats, becoming the only player to do so in MLB history.
He appeared in the postseason six times throughout his career, reaching the World Series with the Mets in 2000.
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)
