6 Baseball Players who Played for Cleveland and Tampa Bay
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 Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays.
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 in both Cleveland and Tampa Bay.
Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramirez was a 12-time All-Star, playing mostly as a left fielder and designated hitter, from ’93 till 2011.
He played for several teams (Cleveland, Boston, LA Dodgers, Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox) but really shined with the Red Sox, even helped them win the World Series in ’04 and ’07.
Manny hit 555 home runs (one of 28 players with over 500 career home runs), with a career batting average of .312.
Scott Kazmir
Scott Kazmir, who pitched from 2004 to 2020, is best known for his time with the Tampa Bay Rays. Kazmir had a fluctuating career, compiling 108 wins and a 4.02 ERA, and striking out over 1600 batters.
He was a three-time All-Star (Rays, A’s) and led the American League in strikeouts with 239 in 2007.
Known for his high-velocity fastball and tenacious pitching style, Kazmir was a standout left-handed pitcher during his prime. His career saw remarkable comebacks after multiple injuries, including a notable return to the Major Leagues in 2021 after a five-year absence.
Corey Kluber
Corey Kluber was drafted in the 4th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres and later made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2011. Kluber was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league for a span of about five years.
He won the Cy Young Award twice, first in 2014 and then again in 2017, both times with the Indians. Kluber has been named to three All-Star teams and has thrown a no-hitter, which came in 2021 as a member of the New York Yankees.
Kluber played his first 9 seasons in Cleveland but has bounced around more recently in his career with stops at the Rays, Red Sox, Rangers and Yankees.
Kluber Key Stats
- Cy Young (Indians)
- All-Star (Indians)
- 20+ Win Season (Indians)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Indians)
Mike Zunino
Mike Zunino has become known for his powerful bat and defensive skills as a catcher. Since being selected third overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2012 MLB Draft, Zunino played 6 seasons with the Mariners followed by 4 years with the Tampa Bay Rays, and is now playing in Cleveland.
Despite facing challenges with his batting average, Zunino has proven himself to be a home run hitter, boasting multiple seasons with 20 or more home runs. He had a career-high of 33 with the Rays in 2021, helping him secure his first All-Star appearance.
Behind the plate, he is considered a strong defensive catcher, regularly ranking highly in defensive metrics and showcasing a strong arm.
Julio Franco
Julio Franco had an exceptionally long and diverse career in Major League Baseball, playing from 1982 until 2007, with a three-year stint in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball in between. He played for eight different MLB teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
Franco was known for his high contact, low strikeout approach, leading to a lifetime .298 batting average and an impressive .365 on-base percentage. The three-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger award winner accumulated 2586 hits, 173 home runs, and 1194 RBIs.
His longevity was remarkable, continuing his career well into his late 40s. Franco’s final MLB season was in 2007 with the Atlanta Braves when he was 48.
Franco Key Stats
- All-Star (Rangers)
- Silver Slugger (Indians, Rangers, White Sox)
- 200+ Hit Season (Rangers)
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.
