6 Baseball Players who Played for Cleveland and Oakland
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 Oakland A’s and the Cleveland Guardians.
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 Oakland and Cleveland.
Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1999 MLB Draft and went on to play in the big leagues for 15 seasons. Crisp had memorable stops with the Indians, Red Sox, and Athletics.
In 2007, as a member of the Red Sox, he won the World Series, contributing significantly with his base running and fielding. While with Oakland, Crisp led the American League in stolen bases in 2011 with 49.
Over his career, Crisp compiled a batting average of .265, along with 130 home runs, 639 RBIs, and 309 stolen bases. Known for his energetic play and unique name, Crisp remains a fan favorite in the cities where he played.
*Crisp was previously the most popular pick for this square (Grid 120)
Dennis Eckersley
My favorite closer of all time who I remember as the side arm closer of the Oakland A’s back in the late 80s is a Hall of Famer who played for 5 different teams over his 24-year career.
In addition to playing 9 seasons with the A’s, he also played for the Red Sox, Cubs, Indians (now the Guardians) and Cardinals.
If you’re also looking for stat columns, Eckersley had 390 saves in his career with a career-high of 51 in 1992 (with Oakland). He also has over 2400 strikeouts in his career – 200 in 1976 with Cleveland.
Bartolo Colon
Bartolo Colon, affectionately known as “Big Sexy”, was a fixture on the mound in baseball from 1997 until 2018. He played for a whole bunch of teams (11), which makes him an extremely versatile player for the Immaculate Grid.
Colon’s career stops included the Indians (now Guardians), Dodgers, Mets, Athletics, White Sox, Twins, Braves, Red Sox, Rangers, Montreal Expos and Yankees.
Colon was a 4-time All-Star and even bagged a Cy Young Award in 2005. He had over 240 wins and more than 2,500 strikeouts.
Geronimo Berroa
Geronimo Berroa, who played from 1989 to 2000, is best remembered for his time as an outfielder and designated hitter with the Oakland Athletics.
In a career spanning over a decade, Berroa accumulated over 600 hits, 101 home runs, and maintained a .276 career batting average. While never named an All-Star, Berroa had a standout season in 1996 with the Athletics, hitting .290 with 36 home runs and 106 RBIs.
Known for his power hitting and ability to get on base, Berroa had a successful, albeit under-the-radar, career in the Major Leagues.
Mark McLemore
Mark McLemore was a versatile player in Major League Baseball, adept at multiple positions, predominantly second base and outfield, over a career spanning from 1986 to 2004. He played for several teams including the California Angels, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners.
McLemore was known for his speed and versatility, providing valuable contributions with his glove and on the base paths. Over his career, he posted a batting average of .259, scored 943 runs, and stole 272 bases.
His most productive seasons came with the Rangers and Mariners where his ability to play multiple positions and his speed were well-utilized. McLemore was a vital component of the Mariners team that won 116 games in 2001.
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.
