6 Baseball Players who Played for Cleveland and Texas
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 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 Cleveland and Texas.
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 was the most popular pick for this square in a previous grid (Grid 141)
Kluber Key Stats
- Cy Young (Indians)
- All-Star (Indians)
- 20+ Win Season (Indians)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Indians)
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.
Colon Key Stats
- Cy Young (Angels)
- All-Star (Indians, Angels, Athletics, Mets)
- 20+ Win Season (Angels)
Sandy Alomar
Sandy Alomar Jr., part of the famous Alomar baseball family, made his mark in Major League Baseball as an accomplished catcher from 1988 to 2007. He spent the bulk of his career with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), where his strong arm and reliable glove made him a key asset behind the plate.
Alomar was also effective with the bat, boasting a career batting average of .273. He was a six-time All-Star (Cleveland) and won the Rookie of the Year award in 1990.
One of his career highlights was being named the MVP of the 1997 All-Star Game after hitting a game-winning home run.
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)
Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton, known for his speed and prowess in the outfield started his professional career in 1991 with the Houston Astros. His breakout season came only one year later with the Indians when he led the American League with 66 stolen bases.
Lofton was an integral part of the Cleveland Indians’ success in the 1990s. His speed and base-stealing abilities at the top of the lineup, combined with his exceptional defense in center field, made him a cornerstone of the team that won six division titles from 1995 to 2001.
Over his 17-year career, Lofton played for several teams (11 in total), including the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants. He had a career batting average of .299, scored over 1,500 runs, and stole over 600 bases. Lofton’s stellar career also includes four Gold Glove awards and six All-Star selections.
Lofton Key Stats
- All-Star (Indians, Braves)
- Gold Glove (Indians)
- 30+ Stolen Base Season (Indians, Dodgers)
- 200+ Hit Season (Indians)
- .300 Average Season (Indians, Braves, Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers, Rangers)
Otis Nixon
Otis Nixon was a speedy outfielder whose career went from 1983 to 1999. Over those 17 seasons, Nixon played for 9 different teams – Braves, Indians (now Guardians), Montreal Expos, Blue Jays, Twins, Red Sox, Rangers, Dodgers and Yankees.
Nixon wasn’t a big hitter, but he was a whiz on the basepaths, stealing over 620 bases during his career and maintaining a respectable .270 batting average. He’s best remembered for his daring steals and spectacular catches, including an unforgettable game-saving grab in 1992 while with the Braves (video above).
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.
