10 Baseball Players who Played for Dodgers and Braves
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 Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.
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.
Here are 8 players who played for both the Dodgers and the Braves. There is a mix of well-known all-stars and under-the-radar (usually 90s) players that could help you land a low rarity score.
Popular Choices
These players are generally well-remembered in both uniforms, because of either time spent with both the Dodgers and Braves or their impact while they were there.
Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman is in his 14th year in the majors. The first 12 he spent with the Braves and the last two have been with the Dodgers. This alone would make Freeman a popular choice for this square.
Combine that with the fact that he is one of the most dominant players in the game today. He’s made 6 All-Star game appearances (Atlanta 5, LA 1), won a Gold Glove award with Atlanta in 2018 and in 2020 won the MVP with the Braves.
*Freeman has previously been the most popular choice for a Braves / Dodgers square.
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)
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.
Rare Choices
Most of us remember these guys as either a Brave or a Dodger, but probably not both. Opportunity for a (easily defendable) low rarity score.
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.
Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp was a powerful outfielder best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played from 2006 to 2014, and again in 2018. He also played for the Padres, Braves, Rockies and Reds.
Kemp was an offensive weapon, hitting .284 with over 1800 hits, 287 home runs and 1031 RBIs in his career. However, he was also great in the field, earning two Gold Gloves for his exceptional defense.
His best season came in 2011 when he won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger, was named an All-Star, and finished second in the MVP voting, thanks to a .324 average, 39 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases.
Kemp Key Stats
- All-Star (Dodgers)
- Gold Glove (Dodgers)
- Silver Slugger (Dodgers)
- 100+ RBI Season (Dodgers, Padres)
- 40+ Stolen Base Season (Dodgers)
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).
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.
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.
Ultra Rare Choices
These guys are not remembered by most fans as Braves or Dodgers because they didn’t spend much with the team. Strong chance for a low rarity score, but be prepared to defend, ‘how you knew that’.
Bobby Bonilla
Bobby Bonilla was a big-hitter whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001, playing for 8 different teams over that time. You may know him as a Pirate, Met or Marlin but he also played for the Orioles, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers and White Sox.
Bonilla helped the Marlins grab a World Series ring in ’97. He hit over 280 home runs and 400 doubles during his career. He was a six-time All-Star.
But what he’s most famous for is his contract with the Mets, who still pay him over a million bucks every July 1 (known as “Bobby Bonilla Day”) due to a deferred payment deal. So even though there were some bumps, Bonilla definitely made a mark in baseball, both on and off the field.
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.
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